Torresin, Simone;
de Souza, Larissa Pereira;
Dicle, Seda Yuksel;
Al-Assaad, Douaa;
Aletta, Francesco;
Balderrama, Alvaro;
Bivolarova, Mariya P;
... Wu, Zhibin; + view all
(2025)
Definition and Performance of Acoustic Personalised Environmental Control Systems (Acoustic PECS): a systematic review.
Building and Environment
, 282
, Article 113243. 10.1016/j.buildenv.2025.113243.
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Abstract
ersonalised Environmental Control Systems (PECS) enable occupants to locally adjust environmental parameters without affecting others. Rooted in the fields of thermal and air quality management, this approach is key for enhancing satisfaction and well-being in the built environment by empowering occupants to control their immediate surroundings. Moreover, it offers energy-saving potential by optimizing conditions in targeted areas rather than across the entire environment. Within the framework of the IEA EBC Annex 87, the concept was explored for the first time in the acoustic domain. After defining Acoustic PECS, a systematic review according to PRISMA guidelines was conducted to unpack (1) technologies in the literature aligning with this concept; (2) their impact on occupants; and (3) current limitations. The literature search, conducted on Scopus, Web of Science, APA, and PubMed, included field or laboratory studies assessing systems enabling local acoustic control in settings that are relevant for office environments. Review papers, medical device studies, and reports without insights on occupant impact were excluded. Thirty-eight studies were selected, covering active and passive systems, building-attached, furniture-integrated, and wearable devices. The qualitative analysis highlighted potential positive effects in challenging acoustic environments, including reduced annoyance, improved work performance, masking or cancellation of intrusive noises, and enhancements in short-term memory, among other benefits, despite existing technological and methodological limitations. The evidence collected is constrained by the limited number of identified studies and methodological gaps stemming from the relatively wide focus of the studies where such devices were investigated. The definition of Acoustic PECS provides a foundation for future research, guiding the development of these systems and fostering high-quality and consistent evidence of their impacts.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Definition and Performance of Acoustic Personalised Environmental Control Systems (Acoustic PECS): a systematic review |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.buildenv.2025.113243 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2025.113243 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. under a Creative Commons license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). |
| Keywords: | PECS, Personalized environmental control systems, Acoustic coustic PECS, Acoustic comfort, Indoor Environmental Quality, Headphones |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of the Built Environment UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of the Built Environment > Bartlett School Env, Energy and Resources |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10209774 |
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