Volume 62

Modelling Occupant-Centric HVAC Zoning for Summer Energy Efficiency in Tokyo Office Buildings Yoshiyuki KIMURA, Yoshiki YAMAGATA, Shinji YAMAMURA, Hideo TAKAHASHI

Abstract

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Japan face challenges in implementing energy-efficient building operations due to limited resources, knowledge gaps, and the absence of occupant-centric management approaches. This study develops a predictive model for HVAC control tailored to SMEs, drawing on a field experiment conducted in an office building in the Nihonbashi district of Tokyo. Multiple HVAC control patterns were trialled, with systematic data collection including environmental parameters (temperature, humidity, COâ‚‚ concentration), thermal comfort indices (PMV, PPD), and occupant survey responses. These datasets were analysed to evaluate the relationship between zoning strategies, occupant well-being, and energy consumption. Based on these observations, a preliminary optimisation framework for HVAC temperature settings and zoning was proposed to maximise thermal comfort while reducing energy demand. The findings contribute to practical pathways for SMEs to achieve both enhanced occupant well-being and improved energy performance, providing insights for wider urban decarbonisation efforts.

Keywords HVAC Control, Temperature Zoning, Well-being, Thermal Comfort, SME