Energy Performance Assessment of Air-Conditioners with Thermal Comfort Modelling in an Indoor Environment
Abstract
Energy performance of air-conditioners at the University of Lagos is assessed, with regards to the thermal
comfort consideration of the occupants. Using the regression of relevant thermal comfort parameters, the
energy efficiency rating (EER) for air-conditioners in five (5) residential quarters, including Ransome-Kuti,
Mbonu-Ojike, Baya Jidda, Ozolua, and High Rise; and five different commercial energy stocks, including
the University Guest Houses Auditorium, Alumni Building (Guaranty Trust Bank), United Bank for Africa
(UBA), Multi-purpose Hall A and the University Consult Building (First Bank), are analysed. The
comparison of the thermal comfort responses from the five residential zones indicates that High Rise
quarter has the highest predicted mean vote (PMV) of 1.45 and predicted percentage of dissatisfied
(PPD) of 48.07 %. Among the assessed commercial energy stocks, Multi-purpose Hall A appears to have
the best performance with the PPD of up to 10 % followed by First Bank with the PPD of 14 %. A thermal
comfort analysis tool is proposed for the ongoing development of a smart campus, based on the efficient
framework and demand side management of energy consumption in residential buildings. It is anticipated
that this effective and user-friendly tool will contribute to the development of a reliable minimum energy
performance standards (MEPS) for air-conditioning appliances and other energy appliances by the
Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON).
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