Usage Survey of Personal Underfloor Air Outlet System and Thermal Environment Acceptability

Abstract

This study was aimed to clarify the usage of a personal air-conditioning system and to describe the characteristics of actual worker acceptance of the thermal environment. The results showed that the usage rate of the personal air-conditioning system was 90% and that most workers were satisfied with the system’s effect. Only a few workers reported that the environment was unacceptable despite the use of the system, and they expressed this even when the temperature and humidity were within a comfortable range. It was suggested that the complaints resulted from factors such as the individual thermal histories and changes in their metabolic rate upon returning to the office after performing outdoor activities.