Human-Centric HVAC Systems: Linking Thermal Comfort, Cognitive Performance, and Energy Efficiency

Authors

  • Ankitkumar Tejani Senior Research Engineer. Author
  • Vinay Toshniwal Senior Research Engineer Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63282/3050-9246.IJETCSIT-V7I1P107

Keywords:

Human-Centric HVAC, Thermal Comfort, Cognitive Performance, Energy Efficiency, Smart Buildings, Adaptive Comfort Models

Abstract

Human-centric Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems symbolize a new paradigm of changing the energy-focused functionality of the building climate control to the performance-oriented and occupant-conscious design. Traditional HVAC systems are based on fixed set point and simplistic comfort factors, and tend to ignore the dynamic relationship between the indoor environmental condition, human thermal comfort, cognitive performance and energy use. The paper introduces a combination of human-centred HVAC system, which identically connects the models of thermal comfort, cognitive performance, and energy optimization in the smart building conditions. The presented framework will utilize real-time environmental monitoring, occupancy and behavioral data collection and subjective feedback on comfort to build a holistic image of the indoor environment and occupancies. Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) and adaptive comfort models are used to determine the relationship between thermal comfort and contextual and behavioral data, using cognitive performance indicators. Models using machine learning are utilized to represent non-linear relationships between the comfort and the performance, as well as to predictive evaluate the response of occupants. These models guide all forms of intelligent control and optimization procedures that dynamically determine and modify HVAC operation in order to yield harmony in comfort, cognitive performance and energy consumption. Through experimental assessment and comparative analysis, it has been shown that occupant-focused control systems can be very effective in enhancing thermal comfort and cognitive performance and lead to substantial savings in energy consumption relative to traditional fixed-setpoint HVAC systems. These findings justify the use of human-centered HVAC systems as an effective strategy to improve occupant health, performance, and sustainability that can be implemented as the main element of the next-generation intelligent and energy-efficient buildings.

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Published

2026-01-20

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

1.
Tejani A, Toshniwal V. Human-Centric HVAC Systems: Linking Thermal Comfort, Cognitive Performance, and Energy Efficiency. IJETCSIT [Internet]. 2026 Jan. 20 [cited 2026 Feb. 9];7(1):48-56. Available from: https://ijetcsit.org/index.php/ijetcsit/article/view/558

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