In this paper, using a newly defined cooling coil load calculation method for stratified air distribution
(STRAD) systems, the effects of separate location of the return and exhaust grilles on thermal comfort
and energy saving are experimentally investigated. The results clearly demonstrated the extra energy
saving potentials for STRAD systems with separate locations of return and exhaust grilles. After using
the experimental results to validate our CFD method, numerical investigation is carried out for an office
setting. Decreasing the height of return grille will increase exhaust air temperature and significantly
reduce the cooling coil load. However, the risk of poor thermal comfort caused by too large temperature
difference between the head and foot levels also increased, when the return inlet is located close to the
floor level. Locating the exhaust grilles at ceiling level and close to external wall while locating the return
grilles at the upper boundary of the occupied zone are recommended in practice. It is demonstrated that
the purpose to simultaneously achieve satisfied thermal comfort and prominent energy saving can be
attained with a STRAD system via deliberate locations of supply outlets and return and exhaust grilles in
relation to the heat source locations.