Effects of mechanical ventilation on indoor air quality and occupant health status in energy-efficient homes: A longitudinal field study

2021 ◽  
Vol 785 ◽  
pp. 147324
Author(s):  
Ah-Young Lim ◽  
Miryoung Yoon ◽  
Eun-Hye Kim ◽  
Hyun-Ah Kim ◽  
Myoung Ju Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Ventilation ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Field Study ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Energy Efficient ◽  
Longitudinal Field

COST-EFFECTIVE TECHNOLOGIES TO CONTROL INDOOR AIR QUALITY AND COMFORT IN ENERGY EFFICIENT BUILDING RETROFITTING

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. 1487-1494 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Arnesano ◽  
Gian Marco Revel ◽  
Filippo Pietroni ◽  
Jurgen Frick ◽  
Manuela Reichert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Energy Efficient ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Energy Efficient Building

The impact of mechanical ventilation operation strategies on indoor CO2 concentration and air exchange rates in residential buildings

2020 ◽  
pp. 1420326X2096076
Author(s):  
Pedro F. Pereira ◽  
Nuno M. M. Ramos
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Ventilation ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Exchange Rates ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Ventilation Strategy ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mechanical Extraction ◽  
Air Exchange

In Portugal, residential buildings commonly have their ventilation strategy changed after commissioning. This occurs due to the building managers' willingness to reduce shared costs with the electricity needed for fan operation. However, this option is not technically supported, and the effects of such a strategy on indoor air quality-related to human pollutants are yet to be quantified. CO2 was monitored in 15 bedrooms and air exchange rates were calculated for each room. The air exchange rate values ranged from 0.18 to 0.53 h−1 when mechanical extraction ventilation was off, and from 0.45 to 0.90 h−1 when mechanical extraction ventilation was on, which represents an average increase of 119%. With the current intermittent ventilation strategy, all rooms remain above 1500 ppm for a given percentage of time, and 12 rooms presenting CO2 concentrations above 2000 ppm. Simulations of theoretical CO2 concentrations, for a non-interrupted mechanical ventilation strategy show that no rooms would accumulate CO2 concentrations above 2000 ppm, and only 25% would present CO2 concentrations above 1500 ppm. Pearson correlations between the monitored CO2 and human and spatial factors identified two relevant parameters. Those parameters correspond to ratios between CO2 generation and floor area ([Formula: see text]), and airflow with CO2 generation ([Formula: see text]). The proposed ratios could be used as ways to optimise ventilation costs and indoor air quality.

scholarly journals Radon Investigation in 650 Energy Efficient Dwellings in Western Switzerland: Impact of Energy Renovation and Building Characteristics

Atmosphere ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 777 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shen Yang ◽  
Joëlle Goyette Pernot ◽  
Corinne Hager Jörin ◽  
Hélène Niculita-Hirzel ◽  
Vincent Perret ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Energy Efficient ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Radon Level ◽  
Efficiency Measures ◽  
Building Characteristics ◽  
Radon Measurements

As part of more stringent energy targets in Switzerland, we witness the appearance of new green-certified dwellings while many existing dwellings have undergone energy efficiency measures. These measures have led to reduced energy consumption, but rarely consider their impact on indoor air quality. Consequently, such energy renovation actions can lead to an accumulation of radon in dwellings located in radon-prone areas at doses that can affect human health. This study compared the radon levels over 650 energy-efficient dwellings in western Switzerland between green-certified (Minergie) and energy-renovated dwellings, and analyzed the building characteristics responsible of this accumulation. We found that the newly green-certified dwellings had significantly lower radon level than energy-renovated, which were green- and non-green-certified houses (geometric mean 52, 87, and 105 Bq/m3, respectively). The new dwellings with integrated mechanical ventilation exhibited lower radon concentrations. Thermal retrofitting of windows, roofs, exterior walls, and floors were associated with a higher radon level. Compared to radon measurements prior to energy renovation, we found a 20% increase in radon levels. The results highlight the need to consider indoor air quality when addressing energy savings to avoid compromising occupants’ health, and are useful for enhancing the ventilation design and energy renovation procedures in dwellings.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document