Center for the Built Environment

Field tests were performed in a office to (1) investigate the desktop conditioning system (DTC) performed in situations when demand for the local capabilities may be increased; and (2) compare DTC performance to that of a conventional overhead system under similar high heat load conditions.

When the wall thermostat temperature was maintained at 26°C to 27.5°C, DTC was able to maintain average temperatures in the workstations to be 1 to 2°C lower than the thermostat temperature. Under increased activity levels, DTC could be adjusted to maintain similar comfort conditions, although each subject had different responses to the same environment.