Demand Controlled Ventilation as Efficient Means to Achieve Energy Savings in Tertiary Sector Buildings

Demand-controlled ventilation (DCV) has largely been documented in the literature through fielddemonstration projects and computer simulation studies. However, in France and in the majority ofEuropean countries, the use of this technique is still quite limited. Several partially unansweredquestions fuel this paradox:What is the impact of DCV on comfort and air quality?What are the real energy savings which can be expected?How reliable are these systems over the long term and what are the real operational difficultiesrelated to these systems?This study provides additional field test data to help bring answers to these questions. The study wasundertaken by three manufacturers of DCV systems, three HVAC research labs and an energyservices company. The study was co-financed by the ADEME agency.Six tertiary sector buildings were equipped and studied over two 15 days periods. The studyquantifies in particular:The impact on comfort and indoor air quality both measured and felt by the occupants,The net energy savings by comparing them with the real operating parameters in the before DCV"conditions,The difficulties with respect to the installation and maintenance under real operating conditions.The results provide information useful in better targeting the implementation of DCV techniques as afunction of the building type and use.