scholarly journals Indoor Environmental Quality Analysis for Optimizing Energy Consumptions Varying Air Ventilation Rates

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Mancini ◽  
Fabio Nardecchia ◽  
Daniele Groppi ◽  
Francesco Ruperto ◽  
Carlo Romeo
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Quality ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Building Envelope ◽  
In Situ Monitoring ◽  
Quality Analysis ◽  
Airflow Rate ◽  
Indoor Environmental Quality ◽  
Hvac System ◽  
Energy Consumptions

The energy refurbishment of the existing building heritage is one of the pillars of Italian energy policy. Aiming for energy efficiency and energy saving in end uses, there are wide and diversified improvement strategies, which include interventions on the building envelope and Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems, with the introduction of renewable energy sources. The research aims at evaluating the building energy consumptions and Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), varying the airflow rates handled by the HVAC system. A Case Study (the Aula Magna of a university building) is analysed; an in-situ monitoring campaign was carried out to evaluate the trend of some environmental parameters that are considered to be significant when varying the external airflow rates handled by the HVAC system. Additionally, dynamic simulations were carried out, with the aim of evaluating the energy savings coming from the airflow rates reduction. The results of this case study highlight the opportunity to achieve significant energy savings, with only slight variations in IEQ; a 50% reduction in airflow rate would decrease energy consumption by up to 45.2%, while increasing the carbon dioxide concentration from 545 ppm to 655 ppm, while the Particulate Matter and Total Volatile Organic Compounds increase is insignificant.

A novel real-time method for HVAC system operation to improve indoor environmental quality in meeting rooms

2018 ◽  
Vol 144 ◽  
pp. 365-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenzhuo Li ◽  
Choongwan Koo ◽  
Seung Hyun Cha ◽  
Taehoon Hong ◽  
Jeongyoon Oh
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Environmental Quality ◽  
Indoor Environmental Quality ◽  
Hvac System ◽  
System Operation

ASSESSMENT OF INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND OCCURRENCE OF SICK BUILDING SYNDROME IN SMALL OFFICES IN PENANG, MALAYSIA

2015 ◽  
Vol 75 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ang Qiu Mei ◽  
Md Azree Othuman Mydin
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Quality ◽  
Sick Building Syndrome ◽  
Quality Measurement ◽  
Comfort Level ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Indoor Environmental Quality ◽  
Sick Building ◽  
The Difference

This study was done to investigate the relationship between indoor environmental quality and prevalence of Sick Building Syndrome in six small offices inPenangIsland. Indoor environmental quality measurement was conducted according to relevant standards. There are totally Sixty workers were selected to participate in an electronic questionnaire survey. Questionnaire was used to record the comfort level of respondents in the case studies and level of sick building syndrome faced by respondents. Through indoor environmental quality measurement, it is found that most of the offices facing the lighting and noise problem. The result from the questionnaire shows that in overall, the occupants satisfy with their working environment in term of indoor environmental quality although the result also shows the opinions of occupants on dissatisfaction on certain indoor environmental parameter according to case study. The study also found that most of the occupants feel drowsy and fatigue when they work within the offices. Besides, due to the difference of the indoor environmental quality of the buildings, the occupants are suffered from different symptoms of the sick building syndrome.

scholarly journals Transformation of an Office Building into a Nearly Zero Energy Building (nZEB): Implications for Thermal and Visual Comfort and Energy Performance

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 895 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilaria Ballarini ◽  
Giovanna De Luca ◽  
Argun Paragamyan ◽  
Anna Pellegrino ◽  
Vincenzo Corrado
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
Building Envelope ◽  
Office Building ◽  
Indoor Environmental Quality ◽  
Visual Comfort ◽  
Zero Energy ◽  
Efficiency Measures

Directive 2010/31/EU promotes the refurbishment of existing buildings to change them into nearly zero-energy buildings (nZEBs). Within this framework, it is of crucial importance to guarantee the best trade-off between energy performance and indoor environmental quality (IEQ). The implications of a global refurbishment scenario on thermal and visual comfort are assessed in this paper pertaining to an existing office building. The retrofit actions applied to achieve the nZEB target consist of a combination of envelope and technical building systems refurbishment measures, involving both HVAC and lighting. Energy and comfort calculations were carried out through dynamic simulation using Energy Plus and DIVA, for the thermal and visual performance assessments, respectively. The results point out that energy retrofit actions on the building envelope would lead to significant improvements in the thermal performance, regarding both energy savings (−37% of the annual primary energy for heating) and thermal comfort. However, a daylighting reduction would occur with a consequent higher electricity demand for lighting (36%). The research presents a detailed approach applicable to further analyses aimed at optimizing the energy efficiency measures in order to reduce the imbalance between visual and thermal comfort and to ensure the best performance in both domains.

scholarly journals Establishment of Key Performance Indicators for Green Building Operations Monitoring—An Application to China Case Study

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 976 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinqiu Li ◽  
Qingqin Wang ◽  
Hao Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Quality ◽  
Performance Indicators ◽  
Green Building ◽  
Key Performance Indicators ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Operational Performance ◽  
Indoor Environmental Quality ◽  
Evaluation Standards

Released green building evaluation standards for operation stage include a huge number of indicators, which are very comprehensive and systematic. However, the indicators of these standards are very complicated and a large amount of time and manpower are consumed for their evaluation. To evaluate the operational performance of green buildings more practically and efficiently, some studies collect the operational data for part of the indicators (mainly focusing on building energy performance, indoor environmental quality or occupant satisfaction), which are too rough to evaluate the performance of green building. This paper proposed a total of 27 key performance indicators (KPIs) for green building operations monitoring. The number of proposed indicators is much fewer than the evaluation standards, as well as suitable for long-term monitoring, which can dramatically reduce evaluation time and cost. On the other hand, the indicators involving Outdoor environmental quality, Indoor environmental quality, HVAC system, P&D system, Renewable energy system, Total resource consumption and User behavior, which are more comprehensive and systematic than the conventional monitoring studies for operational performance of green building. Firstly, an indicators library for operations monitoring of green building was established based on relevant standards and literature review in this field. Secondly, “SMART” principle and Delphi method were adopted to select the key performance indicators for green building operations monitoring. Different background experts regarding green building industry were chosen to screen the most relevant, accessible and measurable indicators. Subsequently, two projects in China were selected for case study of key performance indicators proposed in this paper for green building operations monitoring to validate the feasibility and advancement.

Sustainability and cost assessment of coastal vacation homes for energy retrofits

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamalesh Panthi ◽  
Kanchan Das ◽  
Tarek Abdel-Salam
Keyword(s):  
Energy Use ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Building Envelope ◽  
Energy Usage ◽  
Water Heater ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Modeling Software ◽  
Energy Use Intensity

Purpose Vacation rental homes, in general, have different energy usage characteristics than traditional residential homes mainly because of the occupancy pattern that changes on a weekly basis. These homes, predominantly larger in size, offer a greater scope for energy savings also because of the wasteful habits of their seasonal occupants. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the causes of energy inefficiencies prevalent in these homes so that appropriate retrofit choices can be offered to homeowners. Design/methodology/approach This research presents a case study of a vacation rental home whose energy consumption was investigated in depth and energy inefficiencies identified through modeling using energy modeling software, eQUEST. Simulations were performed to identify viable retrofit scenarios. Findings While improvement in the building envelope such as providing shades/overhangs on the windows, reducing infiltration and increasing insulation of the exterior wall did not show promising results for savings on energy cost, other improvements such as use of highly efficient lamps, tank-less water heater system and occupancy sensors showed viable investment options with shorter payback periods. It was also found that energy use intensity of sampled houses was about half of the average of US residential buildings, which could primarily be attributed to the seasonal nature of occupancy of these houses. Originality/value There is a dearth of literature pertaining to energy efficiency-related retrofits of coastal vacation homes. This research fills that gap to some extent by addressing this issue with an ultimate aim of assisting homeowners in retrofit decision-making.

scholarly journals Protocol for maximizing energy savings and indoor environmental quality improvements when retrofitting apartments

2013 ◽  
Vol 61 ◽  
pp. 378-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federico Noris ◽  
William W. Delp ◽  
Kimberly Vermeer ◽  
Gary Adamkiewicz ◽  
Brett C. Singer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Quality ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Indoor Environmental Quality ◽  
Quality Improvements

scholarly journals Performance Evaluation of LEED-certified Affordable Homes: Case Study of LEED-certified Habitat for Humanity

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 120
Author(s):  
Eunsil Lee
Keyword(s):  
Performance Evaluation ◽  
Environmental Quality ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Family Relationships ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Indoor Environmental Quality ◽  
Habitat For Humanity ◽  
Positive Effects

Despite the rapid growth in the number of LEED-certified homes, little data is currently available about the actual effects of LEED-certified affordable homes. The purpose of present study is to conduct a comprehensive performance evaluation for LEED-certified Habitat for Humanity residences in terms of (1) energy efficiency, (2) indoor environmental quality, (3) health impact, (4) residential satisfaction, (5) quality of life, and (6) environmental attitudes and behaviors. A case study was conducted with 15 households living in LEED-certified Habitat for Humanity homes in Kent County, Michigan using observation, in-depth interviews, and surveys. Findings revealed overall housing satisfaction was very high although some residents indicated lower satisfaction with their neighborhood. Most of case study homes had 30-50% lower electricity and natural gas bills. Most participants were satisfied with indoor environmental quality (IEQ) including thermal comfort, indoor air quality, amount daylight, quality of artificial lighting, and acoustical condition. Most participants agreed that since moving into their current homes they have experienced improved family relationships, better health conditions, more positive attitudes, and better performance of their children. The major findings of this case study support the positive effects of LEED-certified low-income homes on residents’ behavioral, social, and psychological aspects of well-being.

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