energy efficiency

The Performance 2 project (2020-2024) is a French national research project that aims to evaluate the long-term performance and durability of Humidity-based Demand Controlled Ventilation (DCV) systems installed in two multi-family social housing buildings, located in Paris and Villeurbanne, France.

This study evaluates the performance of Single-Flow and Dual-Flow ventilation systems in a residential building situated in Strasbourg, characterized by high PM2.5 levels, permeable tightness, and strong wind conditions. The research examines indoor air quality by measuring CO2 and PM2.5 concentrations in bedrooms and compares the energy consumption of both systems across different cities.

More and more single-family houses are being retrofitted to achieve better energy efficiency levels. In this retrofitting process, the building envelope's airtightness is usually improved, and a ventilation system becomes necessary to create and sustain a healthy indoor air quality (IAQ). However, in France, as in many other western countries, ventilation requirements exist for new dwellings but not for residential retrofitting.

The global demand to improve the energy performance of buildings has led to greater air tightness and uncertainty in the ability of natural ventilation to maintain adequate indoor environmental quality. A monitoring campaign was carried out to evaluate the long-term indoor environmental quality across a year-long period in energy-efficient Irish dwellings.

This paper presents a comprehensive evaluation of Relative Humidity-Controlled Mechanical Extract Ventilation (RH-MEV) systems installed in multi-family social housing buildings, focusing on the assessment of in-situ aging and the impact of maintenance on the performance of the system. Building upon the Performance 2 project conducted from 2020 to 2024, which evaluated the durability and performance of RH-MEV systems over a 15-year period, this study delves deeper into the longevity and maintenance aspects of these systems.

The BENEFIT project seeks to assess indoor environmental quality and occupant comfort in energy efficient non-domestic Irish buildings with the aim of developing ventilation guidelines for future retrofits and new builds. The project, in collaboration with SEAI’s Pathfinder programme, aims to conduct a comprehensive and scientifically robust assessment of the impacts of energy-efficient policies in non-domestic settings across Ireland, with a particular focus on newly constructed energy-efficient buildings.

The inclusion of health-based performance indicators and metrics in ventilation system design and research is a widely discussed topic in recent years. This is due to increased awareness about the health implication of indoor air quality and due to the need for innovative ventilation system control (smart ventilation) to limit building energy use.  

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.