Fuzzy inference-based control approach for thermal-visual comfort and air quality in indoor environments

This paper presents a fuzzy inference-based control approach for the adjustment and maintenance, according to users' preferences, of air quality, thermal and visual comfort for buildings' occupants while minimizing energy consumption. First, the control objectives and criteria are described and their models are provided. Then, the designed fuzzy controller along with the criteria models are simulated using MatLab/Simulink. The simulation results are depicted for each control criterion and the efficiency of the presented approach is verified. It is shown that this approach is capable of responding to fixed and variable users' preferences and eliminating overshoots and oscillations without the need for any adaptive procedure.