Sensitivity analysis of visual and thermal parameters for energy savings: combining illuminance and temperature set-points for possible trade-offs

This study presents a methodology for evaluating the effects of simultaneous temperature and illuminance set-point variations on energy consumption. Different illuminance levels are achieved with an innovative dynamic shading control algorithm that allows keeping constant values of maximum workplane illuminance. Findings from applying the methodology to a specific office-like workplace located in Switzerland show that the new shading control algorithm leads to lower cooling energy consumption in comparison with a standard shading control system (i.e., based on maximum irradiance) for constant 300 and 500 lux indoor illuminance thresholds. Moreover, multiple combinations of temperature and illuminance levels result in similar cooling consumption values, implying that trade-offs between those two parameters are possible to achieve energy savings.