Development and validation of mobile app and data management system for intelligent control of indoor thermal environment

In engineering practice, air conditioning systems are not regulated according to the accurate real-time thermal sensation of occupants, which not only hinders improving the thermal comfort of the indoor environment but also wastes the energy of air conditioning systems. To introduce human thermal comfort in real-time into the intelligent control of air conditioning systems, this paper develops a mobile app and data management system for the intelligent control of the indoor thermal environment with three key components: the phone app, server and database. Function tests of the six modules are carried out to verify the stability and usability of system. A comparative experiment between wearable sensing of thermal sensation control based on this system and traditional temperature set value control under summer conditions is then conducted to verify the feasibility of the system. Under wearable sensing of thermal sensation control, the average indoor temperature setting value is 27.5 °C with an average satisfaction score of 5.50, which is higher than the average indoor temperature setting values of 26.3 °C and average satisfaction score of 4.65 under traditional temperature set point-based control. It means that the subject's thermal preference is met while achieving energy savings. The system proposed herein offers a new way to solve the problem of the disconnection between the intelligent control of air conditioning and the actual thermal sensation of occupants. •Human thermal sensation is introduced to the intelligent control of HVAC.•Mobile App and data management system contributes to adjusting indoor temperature.•Smart bracelet can monitor physiological data conveniently.•Energy saving and improved thermal comfort are achieved.