Evaluating Energy Saving Potential and IAQ Improvement of an Environmental-Controlled Fan System for Residence during the COVID-19 Era

This paper presents an evaluation of the potential energy-saving and indoor air quality (IAQ) improvement when using an environmental-controlled fan without causing any thermal discomfort to residents in a tropical country (Malaysia). In the past year, countries enforced complete/partial lockdown to control the spreading of Covid-19, consequently increasing the time spent at home from approximately 63 % to 90 %. The mobility restrictions have contributed tremendously to limiting the spread of the pandemic but resulted in the increase of energy consumption in residential buildings and the decrease in indoor air quality. These unacceptable indoor air quality conditions and high energy consumption resulting from over-dependence on air conditioners, the absence of natural ventilation, and the minimal usage of ceiling fans have inspired the idea of using an environmental-controlled fan. The research was conducted in a master bedroom over a period of two weeks, where a volunteer was assumed to be sitting in a quiet position practicing an exercise with limited movements such as reading or writing with only a ceiling fan turned on. The investigation demonstrated how the reliance on a ceiling fan could reach as high as 75% with an energy-saving of 31.4 % under acceptable indoor air conditions without causing any uncomfortable thermal sensation.