RFID-Based Occupancy Detection Solution for Optimizing HVAC Energy Consumption

OpenAlex İngilizce

ABSTRACT: Current building climate control systems often rely on predetermined maximum occupancy numbers coupled with temperature sensor data to regulate heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). However, rooms and zones in a building are not always fully occupied. Real-time occupancy information can potentially be used to reduce energy consumption. The paper proposes an RFID-based occupancy detection solution to address the need for real-time in-building occupancy information. The proposed solution can track real-time location of tagged occupants, and report the occupancy at the zone level. A prototype was built and tested in a campus-dining hall with three zones. Occupants who were waiting in a queue, walking, or sitting were equipped with active RFID tags. The results demonstrated that the location of occupants could be estimated and 71 % of the occupants could be detected at the right predefined zone. Based on the findings, detailed and operable strategies for optimizing HVAC-related building energy consumption by using occupancy information are proposed.