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Energy Performance of Room Air-Conditioners and Ceiling Fans in Mixed-Mode Buildings

Author

Listed:
  • Sriraj Gokarakonda

    (Energy Policy, Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, 42103 Wuppertal, Germany)

  • Christoph van Treeck

    (E3D—Institute of Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Building, RWTH Aachen University, 52062 Aachen, Germany)

  • Rajan Rawal

    (Centre for Advanced Research in Building Science and Energy (CARBSE), CEPT University, Ahmedabad 380009, India)

  • Stefan Thomas

    (Energy Policy, Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, 42103 Wuppertal, Germany)

Abstract

Studies show that people can tolerate elevated temperatures in the presence of appreciable air movement (e.g., from using ceiling fans). This minimises the use of air-conditioners and extends their set-point temperature ( T s e t ), resulting in energy savings in space cooling. However, there is little empirical evidence on the energy savings from using ceiling fans with Room Air-Conditioners (RACs). To address this gap, we analysed the energy performance of RACs with both fixed-speed compressors and inverter technology at different set-point temperatures and ceiling fan speed settings in 15 residential Mixed-Mode Buildings (MMBs) in India. Thermal comfort conditions (as predicted by the Indian Model for Adaptive Comfort-Residential (IMAC-R)) with minimum energy consumption were maintained at a set-point temperature ( T s e t ) of 28 and 30 ∘ C and a fan speed setting of one. Compared with a T s e t of 24 ° C, a T s e t of 28 and 30 ° C resulted in energy savings of 44 and 67%, respectively. With the use of RACs, a configuration with a minimum fan speed was satisfactory for an optimal use of energy and for maintaining the conditions of thermal comfort. In addition, RACs with inverter technology used 34–68% less energy than fixed-speed compressors. With the rising use of RACs, particularly in tropical regions, the study’s outcomes offer a significant potential for reducing space-cooling energy consumption and the resultant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Suggested Citation

  • Sriraj Gokarakonda & Christoph van Treeck & Rajan Rawal & Stefan Thomas, 2023. "Energy Performance of Room Air-Conditioners and Ceiling Fans in Mixed-Mode Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-34, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:19:p:6807-:d:1247433
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yawale, Satish Kumar & Hanaoka, Tatsuya & Kapshe, Manmohan, 2021. "Development of energy balance table for rural and urban households and evaluation of energy consumption in Indian states," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 136(C).
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