Calculation of the effect of ventilation measures in existing dwellings to reduce the carbon footprint

To reduce the carbon footprint of the built environment, a significant overhaul of the existing housing stock is essential. This entails not only ensuring proper insulation and airtightness in residences but also optimizing their ventilation systems. To precisely gauge the impact of an advanced ventilation system, the use of a pressure node model, such as multizone ventilation models like COMIS or TNO's AirMAPs model, is indispensable. However, when dealing with existing dwellings, numerous unknown variables, including interior door usage, can introduce substantial variations in results.

Experimental Investigation of Indoor Air Quality in an Open Office Environment

Open offices, where more than one person works, have been used frequently in recent years. However, there are many studies on the efficiency of the indoor air quality of the employees in these offices. It has also been shown that the risk of cross-contamination is higher in such offices during the COVID period, but this risk can be reduced by increasing the amount of fresh air.

Performance 2 project - Winter IAQ campaigns in 13 dwellings equipped with Humidity-based DCV systems: analysis of the ventilation performance after 15 years of use

The Performance 2 project (2020-2024) is a French national research project that aims to evaluate the durability of Humidity-based Demand Controlled Ventilation (DCV) systems installed in two multi-family social housing buildings (Paris and Villeurbanne) over than 10 years ago. This evaluation includes the analysis of continuous measurements performed on the ventilation system (sensors located close to the air terminal devices) and two additional Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) campaigns including two other monitors placed in the “dry” rooms conducted in 13 dwellings.

Buildings Special Issue on "Research on the Airtightness of Buildings" open for submission

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309)  is now open for submission.

This Special Issue is motivated by the importance of the airtightness of buildings in terms of indoor air quality and the energy implications of heat transfer. Currently, it is not possible to design and construct nZEB buildings without taking this parameter into account, and it is essential that we can determine this parameter in buildings to be renovated in order to achieve a significant improvement in their final energy consumption. 

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On the Impact of Highly Reflective Materials on Thermal Comfort and Energy Efficiency

The materials that compose the built environment have a key role in the resulting energy demand since their thermal properties affect the heat transfer processes. The use of cool materials aims at increasing the albedo of the urban surfaces and decreasing the heat absorbed by them. Cool materials can decrease roof temperatures, reduce energy needs for cooling and improve indoor comfort for spaces that are not air conditioned.

Tracking Occupant Satisfaction for Improved Energy Efficiency in Campus Buildings

Green buildings incorporate several features to improve energy efficiency, indoor environmental conditions, and occupant satisfaction. However, studies have indicated that green-certified buildings do not always provide occupants with an acceptable level of satisfaction. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) requires that at least 80% of occupants are satisfied with the indoor thermal conditions.

Collecting Long-term Indoor Environmental Quality Data in Highly Energy Efficient Irish Dwellings

Current building regulations are designed to ensure that buildings, including newly built and retrofitted residential dwellings, are more energy efficient. This has raised concerns and practical challenges in relation to maintaining acceptable indoor environmental and air quality. However, there are minimal data available regarding long-term indoor air pollutant concentrations in low-energy residential buildings.

Ventilation for Energy Efficiency and Improved Indoor Air Quality in University Classrooms

This paper reports preliminary analysis from a large field study of 100 university classrooms in Central Texas. Lecture classrooms and auditoriums were sampled for three consecutive weekdays in the 2019 – 2020 academic year. Carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations, used as a marker for both ventilation and exposure, and temperature were measured in the general room area and when able, the supply airstream. HVAC control data that relates to ventilation was also saved for comparison.

Energy Efficient IAQ Management in residential buildings

In this extended abstract, we introduce the new IEA EBC Annex on 'Energy Efficient IAQ Management in residential buildings'. In this Annex, we address a number of challenges in implementing smart IAQ management strategies. 

Annex 68 provided us with a general framework for integrated simulation and assessment of Energy Efficiency (EE) and chemical indoor air pollution. This framework can now be further extended to develop and assess a series of smart Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) management strategies. 

Demonstration of an innovative room based mechanical ventilation system in a renovated Danish apartment building

Ambitious goals regarding CO2 neutrality put the energy renovations of apartment buildings in the top places on the energy efficiency & sustainability agenda in Denmark. Improved airtightness and maximum primary energy requirements imply utilization of ventilation with heat recovery. The control of ventilation installed during renovations often considers a whole dwelling as one climate zone, which neglects differences among individual rooms. Increased insulation and tightness leads to higher sensitivity to solar and occupancy gains, moisture loads and pollutants.

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