Energy consumption and thermal comfort assessment using CFD in a naturally ventilated indoor environment under different ventilations

The rising energy demands of modern buildings necessitate the proper balance between occupant comfort and energy efficiency. This study numerically evaluates the effect of different inlet and exhaust vent profiles on indoor IEQ and energy consumption in well-validated, occupied office buildings for a cold climate conditions. Using ANSYS products, the research evaluates the impact of different ventilation configurations on occupant comfort using different comfort parameters such as, PMV, PPD, air temperature, temperature gradient, fluid flow velocity. The study also analyze how different ventilation configurations affect the thermal load on the radiator for indoor thermal comfort. The findings reveal a significant effect of ventilation profiles on both IEQ and energy consumption. Inadequate ventilation configuration selection can lead to a significant increase in radiator heat load, potentially increase up to 117.3%. Conversely, the adoption of an optimized ventilation strategy can simultaneously reduce energy consumption and improve indoor occupant thermal comfort. Indoor occupant comfort with minimal radiator heat load can be achieved using vertically oriented, rectangular inlet and exhaust vents with a perimeter ratio of 0.611. This research contributes to the development of sustainable buildings and describes indoor comfort design for cold climate conditions.