Understanding the gap between Efficiency and Comfort

The evolution of efficient building systems coupled with better feedback through ubiquitous low-cost networked environmental sensors should provide the necessary ingredients for improved occupant comfort using less energy. The lack of this outcome highlights a gap between the ability to measure environmental conditions and the ability to control conditions effectively. We present a critical review of research on comfort and sensors combined with new actuator and controls theory, which results in our proposal of a new paradigm for a more integrative and contemporary framework for building operation by fully leveraging new theory and modern hardware, software, and computational capacity.