The Chamber's direct digital control system can be used both to control the chamber and monitor its environmental sensors, operating through a series of graphic screens at the PC-based operator's workstation. By closely resembling a contemporary office, the Chamber reduces psychological effects associated with 'test cell' experiments of human comfort. The Controlled Environment Chamber is used to investigate a wide range of physical and psychological aspects of thermal comfort in indoor environments. They have the potential to significantly increase the comfort and satisfaction of people in office buildings. If well-designed, they also offer the potential of saving some of the energy used to condition the space.
Air movement affects comfort in warm conditions.
Air movement was the only way to keep people cool in hot-humid climates before the introduction of air conditioning, and is still the method used by most of the tropical world. When done effectively, it can save a tremendous amount of energy that would otherwise go into conditioning interior space, and produce acceptable comfort. With new design and predition tools, it can be used in even the most advanced building designs. The effects of humidity on comfort and health are still poorly understood. Direct evaporative coolers, which are highly energy-efficient, have the effect of increasing the humidity in the space.