Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for managing building energy utilization are provided. One method may include collecting physiological data signals of an occupant in a building. The method may also include calculating, based on the physiological data signals, heart rate variability of the occupant. The method may further include calculating a thermal stress level of the occupant based on the heart rate variability and conditions of a surrounding environment of the occupant, and calculating a thermal comfort level of the occupant as a function of the physiological data signals. In addition, the method may include sending the thermal stress level and the thermal comfort level to a supervisory control unit, triggering the supervisory control unit to generate a control strategy for operating a thermal control system integrated with the building based on the thermal stress level and the thermal comfort level.

Abstract: Despite otherwise uncomfortable conditions in a surrounding environment, a customizable microenvironment can be created around a user to maintain a comfortable temperature and/or humidity level using a comfort unit. For example, the environment may be an office building where conditions are out of the comfortable range to save on energy or for other reasons, a factory/shop environment that is poorly conditioned, or an outdoor location with little to no conditioning. A sensing unit can monitor biometric and environmental data and can determine a comfort level of the user. The comfort unit can then dynamically respond to the determined comfort level and adjust the microenvironment to improve the user's comfort level. The comfort unit can follow the user as the user moves within the macro-environment, or can otherwise move within the macro-environment to achieve certain functions, such as recharging or spatial shifting of thermal load within the overall macro-environment.

Abstract: Despite otherwise uncomfortable conditions in a surrounding environment, a customizable microenvironment can be created around a user to maintain a comfortable temperature and/or humidity level using a comfort unit. For example, the environment may be an office building where conditions are out of the comfortable range to save on energy or for other reasons, a factory/shop environment that is poorly conditioned, or an outdoor location with little to no conditioning. A sensing unit can monitor biometric and environmental data and can determine a comfort level of the user. The comfort unit can then dynamically respond to the determined comfort level and adjust the microenvironment to improve the user's comfort level. The comfort unit can follow the user as the user moves within the macro-environment, or can otherwise move within the macro-environment to achieve certain functions, such as recharging or spatial shifting of thermal load within the overall macro-environment.