Integrated control and user interfaces for a space

Many of a building’s systems, including heating, cooling, lighting and ventilation, work separately with each other as ‘isolated islands’. While separate systems do not typically work optimally in terms of total performance, integrated control has the potential to improve energy efficiency, occupant comfort and satisfaction and cost efficiency. Preceding studies also have stressed the needs for individual control and usability in order to achieve occupant satisfaction. First, this paper provides a solution concept for integrated control for a space and describes various inputs and outputs of integrated control. As an example, an optimisation strategy for discontinuous use of buildings is presented. The optimisation strategy was first simulated and then implemented in a real building. Second, modular user interfaces for adjusting environmental conditions are provided in the paper. The user interfaces modules are based on user research and usability testing to avoid the usability problems that have been identified in many studies regarding user control of indoor environments. The modules can be utilised in different user interface configurations for different types of spaces in a building.