Indoor air humidification, sick building syndrome symptoms, and perceived indoor air quality in the office environment

Dryness is still one of the major complaints concerning indoor air quality in office buildings and respective nonindustrial environments. Dampness in buildings in terms of excess amounts of water in the solid parts, and the harmful consequences have been discussed vigorously in recent years. Indoor air humidity, which means water vapour in the indoor air, has been given less attention.

Energy consumption in occupational buildings

The aim of this project has been to provide information on energy consumption in different building categories. Previous studies have focused on total energy use and not on how the consumption of energy is divided in various categories. On a national level, statistical data are generally available in terms like energy consumption per square meter.

Assessing CO2 control in retrofits

A methodology for assessing the potential for a CO2 retrofit on an existing building is presented in this paper. A case study is described, the subject building is an Energy Star rated building that has a Direct Digital Control (DDC) system. The complexity of a CO2 ventilation control retrofit is related to the type of building control system currently in place. Significant energy savings are possible through the application of a well-conceived executed ventilation control strategy.

Demand controlled ventilation for office cubicles - can it be profitable ?

Ventilation systems designed for a constant air volume (CAV) provide fresh air in office buildings. It means that very often huge amounts of energy can be wasted on ventilating empty offices. A simple analysis of the profitability of Demand Controlled Ventilation (DCV) has been performed on a reference office building in Norway.

The effects of ventilation operations in determining contributions of VOCs sources in air-conditioned tropical buildings

In that study, Volatile Organic Compounds levels found in two tropical office buildings are analysed. The concentrations have been measured under different conditions of ventilation (normal occupancy with ventilating system working, and with the ventilation system shut down).

Thermal comfort in Algeria - Preliminary results of a field study

A field survey on thermal comfort in Algeria has never been previously attempted, and for this reason the present study was conducted. The present paper will present a field study of thermal comfort in Algeria. A thermal comfort survey has been held among 160 persons in 4 towns of Algeria representing three different climatic regions. The survey has been carried out in two different types of buildings: Domestic buildings and Office buildings. Subjective data were collected from 160 people by the use of questionnaires.

Study of the indoor air quality in offices building

The main objective of our study was to know more about indoor air quality in offices building over a long period. Our study has been carried out in one building located downtown Lyon (France). Measurements have been carried out one day each month during a one year period. Indoor air quality in the offices along with the one of air flows of the HVAC (Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning) installation (outdoor air, blown air and returned air) has been characterised by temperature and relative humidity of air, dust concentration level, air biocontamination and CO2 concentrations.

Optimum building envelope design for visual, thermal and acoustical comfort conditions in the offices.

The aim of this paper is to explain the results of a research project run in Yildiz Technical University which focuses on the optimum building envelope design for visual, thermal and acoustical comfort conditions in the offices placed in Istanbul city center. In this project, the building envelope alternatives are examined in terms of light, heat and sound considering the materials used mostly in Turkey.

Design, monitoring and evaluation of a low energy office building with passive cooling by night ventilation

In moderate climates, one promising feature to reduce the energy demand of office buildings for air conditioning without reducing comfort is passive cooling by night ventilation. An office building has been designed, realised and monitored for a long time period in the framework of the German research programme solar optimised buildings. The night cooling of the office building has been realised by natural ventilation.

Europrosper : Developing methods for the energy certification of existing buildings.

This paper outlines the Europrosper project whose objectives are to :1. Consolidate and where appropriate harmonise methodologies for energy certification of existing office buildings across 6 European countries whilst allowing customisation in each country to accomodate existing techniques and national contexts2. Develop training courses to instruct practitioners on how to use the certification methods, to include self-certification procedures3. Conduct a demonstration phase and4.

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