Thermal comfort control via air conditioning system using fuzzy neural network feedback controller

Abstract

Despite their complexity and uncertainty, air conditioning systems should provide the optimal thermal conditions in a building. These controller systems should be adaptable to changes in environmental parameters. In most air conditioning systems, today, there are On/Off controllers or PID in more advanced types, which, due to different environmental conditions, are not optimal and cannot provide the optimal environmental conditions. Controlling thermal comfort of an air conditioning system requires estimation of thermal comfort index. In this study, fuzzy controller was used to provide thermal comfort in an air conditioning system, and neural network was used to estimate thermal comfort in the feedback path of the controller. Fuzzy controller has a good response given the non-linear features of air conditioning systems. In addition, the neural network makes it possible to use thermal comfort feedback in a real-time control.