Team Members:
Armando A. Valladares – Undergraduate student in Mechanical Engineering
David Perez de la Fuente – Undergraduate student in Mechanical Engineering
Jan Hrabak – Undergraduate student in Mechanical Engineering
Advisor: Dr. Thomas D. Tran
School: Indiana Institute of Technology
Challenge: Taking Comfort to the Extreme
The objective of this challenge is to improve occupant indoor thermal comfort in buildings in the United States located in extreme climates or locations prone to extreme weather events by focusing on the environmental factors that determine individual satisfaction within indoor atmospheres.
Project Title: Achieving Acclimatization through Vented Door Frames
Solution: Thermal comfort greatly influences people’s well-being and productivity in non-ideal living and working conditions. Many homes in the U.S. are equipped with outdated HVAC systems and proper insulation, which negatively affects an individual’s thermal comfort and increases energy costs due to system overload. The following paper presents the concept of a specialized Vented Door Frame as a solution, creating a thermal barrier at a door opening, which minimizes heat transfer and would also aid in acclimating people to the new environment quickly. The system uses smart sensors, such as motion and temperature detectors, to monitor air temperature and minimize energy consumption by reducing HVAC system overload. The installation of this specialized door frame is designed to be both user-friendly and cost-effective, making it a far better option over an expensive home renovation. The benefits of the Vented Door Frame are made much more apparent in homes with moderate to low insulation but can also be used in modern homes to reduce energy costs. The system aims to solve health and productivity concerns regarding thermal comfort while introducing energy savings. The Vented Door Frame is an innovative and practical solution to thermal comfort that can be used in any house throughout the U.S.