Performance impact of indoor environmental policy implementation for airside systems in Hong Kong Grade A offices

Air-conditioned offices in the subtropics are recommended to operate within specified ranges of indoor temperature, relative humidity, air velocity, and carbon dioxide concentration for thermal energy conservation. As environmental discomfort leads to productivity loss, this study investigates the impact of an indoor environmental policy on Grade A offices served by different airside systems in terms of energy consumption, thermal comfort, and productivity loss. Occupant thermal response is specifically considered as an adaptive factor in the evaluation of energy consumption and productivity loss. Simple Monte Carlo sampling technique was applied to determine the input parameters referenced from literatures for simulation. The findings indicate that the reduction of clothing value improves thermal sensation and should be addressed in the environmental policy to ensure a thermally comfortable indoor environment. Practical application: This study is a useful reference source for evaluating indoor thermal environmental policies for air-conditioned offices in subtropical climates. Implication of clothing value in thermal sensation should be addressed in the environmental policy to ensure a thermally comfortable indoor environment of air-conditioned offices.