Implementation of Desk Fans in Open Office: Lessons Learned and Guidelines from a Field Study

Implementing low-power desk fans associated with increasing cooling setpoint in warm climates can increase thermal satisfaction and save energy. This is a low-cost strategy for office spaces to mitigate carbon emissions. Nevertheless, implementing this strategy still faces several barriers to widespread adoption. We tried to overcome some of these barriers, and we developed guidelines based on the lessons learned from a practical intervention and additional information gathered from the literature. 

The intervention was applied in an open office building in the southeast of Brazil during a hot and humid summer. The 34 participants indicated their thermal comfort under regular building operation and after receiving a desk fan and cooling setpoint changing from 23 °C up to 26 °C. We found hither satisfaction when we gave fans and increased the temperature.

Nevertheless, we have faced problems during the implementation, we listed them in the manuscript below. One of the most important findings was that the temperature increase should be applied gradually. Defining the increment temperature limit is an important challenge common to similar implementations. We have identified that the 90th percentile of the pre-intervention air temperature could be used as a limit for air temperature increase, reducing the chances of discomfort and still generating savings. Temperature changes should be from 0.5-1 °C per time, and we recommend a 2-week interval between each intervention step. Although there is a demand for more studies about the minimum acclimation period.

To see all the guidelines and results, please click here. If you want to learn more about fans, you can freely access the Guidebook on Fans for Cooling People.