This paper discusses how intensive information technology can affect future building operation. Recent breakthroughs in wireless sensor network technology will permit 1) highly flexible location of sensors, 2) increased sensing density and variety of sensor types informing more comprehensive control systems, 3) occupants’  involvement in control loops, 4) demand responsive electricity management, 5) integration among now-separate building systems, and 6) the adoption of mixed-mode and other new types of air conditioning systems. The paper describes the capabilities of the new sensor networks, assesses how some applications can increase the quality of control and improve energy efficiency, and suggests opportunities for future development.

This paper explores how upper extremity skin temperatures correlate with overall-body thermal sensation and comfort. The study’s motivation was that skin temperature measurements of the finger, hand, and forearm might be useful in monitoring and predicting people’s thermal state. Subjects in a range of test chamber temperatures had their subjective perceptions of overall thermal sensation and comfort collected by repeated surveys. A positive temperature gradient (finger warmer than the forearm) of as much as 2 K was seen when subjects felt warm and hot, while a negative temperature gradient (finger colder than the forearm) as much as 8.5 K was seen for cool and cold subjects. A useful warm/cold boundary was found at a finger temperature of 30°C, for both steady state and transient conditions. When finger temperature was above 30°C, or finger-forearm skin temperature gradient was above 0 K, there was no cool discomfort. When finger temperature was below 30°C, or the finger-forearm skin temperature gradient was less than 0 K, cool discomfort was a possibility. Finger temperature and finger-forearm temperature gradient are very similar in their correlation to overall sensation. We also examine how overall sensation is affected by actively manipulating the hand’s temperature.

Most existing thermal comfort models are applicable only to steady-state, uniform thermal environments. This paper presents summary results from 109 human subject tests that were performed under non-uniform and transient conditions. In these tests, local body areas of the subjects were independently heated or cooled while the rest of the body was exposed to a warm, neutral or cool environment. Skin temperatures, core temperature, thermal sensation and comfort responses were collected at one to three minute intervals. Based on these tests, we have developed predictive models of local and overall thermal sensation and comfort.