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Indoor Climate Technology for Health and Comfort in Energy Efficient Buildings

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A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "G: Energy and Buildings".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (23 August 2024) | Viewed by 7993

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Lars Ekberg

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Guest Editor

Division of Building Services Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, 412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
Interests: indoor climate technology; energy efficient buildings; building services engineering; air cleaning

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The field of indoor climate technology comprises the entire chain of issues that must be addressed to create high-quality indoor environments. This endeavor begins with the challenge of determining and documenting the expectations of the building users regarding the thermal conditions and the indoor air cleanness on one hand, and ambitions regarding the efficient use of the energy needed to operate the building on the other. These expectations need to be translated into clear specifications of building requirements, forming the basis for the design, construction and operation of healthy, comfortable and energy-efficient buildings. The requirements, and thus the technical design and complexity of a building’s operation, may vary widely depending on the activities the building is intended for and the desired level of environment quality.

This Special Issue is dedicated to examining the relationship between the indoor climate quality and the energy use of a building. The aim is to publish a well-balanced mix of articles covering the processes of design, commissioning and operation of buildings and building service systems—all carried out with the aim of meeting specified requirements.

Topics of interest for publication include, but are not limited to:

Development and verification of models for simulation of indoor environment parameters and building energy use.
Modeling applications for verification of requirement fulfilment as regards both indoor environment quality and building energy use.
Development of measurement techniques for verification.
Development of monitoring techniques for control and surveillance.
Demonstration and verification of novel technical solutions for heating, ventilating and air conditioning of buildings (HVAC), including:
- Heat transfer and energy recovery;
- Ventilation solutions, such as demand control;
- Hydronic engineering.

We are pleased to invite you to submit your original papers to this Special Issue, “Indoor climate technology for health and comfort in energy efficient buildings”.

Dr. Lars Ekberg
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

energy use
design guidelines
building operation
building services engineering
modeling
monitoring

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 2674 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Using Moisture-Buffering Finishing Materials and DCV Systems on Environmental Comfort and Energy Consumption in Buildings

by Dobrosława Kaczorek and Małgorzata Basińska

Energies 2024, 17(16), 3937; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17163937 - 8 Aug 2024

Viewed by 920

Abstract

One of the technical solutions to improve indoor thermal comfort and reduce energy consumption in buildings is the use of demand-controlled ventilation (DCV) systems. The choice of the control method becomes more important when the walls in the room are finished with moisture-buffering materials. This study explores the impact of four DCV system control scenarios (control of temperature, relative humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration for two different supply airflows to the room) combined with various indoor moisture-buffering materials (gypsum board and cement–lime plaster) on the variability of indoor air quality parameters, thermal comfort, and energy. The analysis was performed by computer simulation using WUFI Plus v.3.1.0.3 software for whole-building hydrothermal analysis. Control-based systems that maintain appropriate relative humidity levels were found to be the most favourable for localised comfort and were more effective in terms of energy consumption for heating and cooling without humidification and dehumidification. This research also revealed that the moisture-buffering effect of finishing materials can passively contribute to enhancing indoor air quality, regardless of the room’s purpose. However, higher energy consumption for heating was observed for better moisture-buffering materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Indoor Climate Technology for Health and Comfort in Energy Efficient Buildings)

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15 pages, 1519 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Indoor Environmental Quality on Occupant Satisfaction in Commercial Buildings: A Comparison of Building Expert Opinions and Residents’ Experiences

by Fatemeh Mokhtariyan Sorkhan, Soheil Roumi, Mohammad Soltanzadeh Zarandi and Mohammad Ali Ashraf Ganjouei

Energies 2024, 17(6), 1473; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17061473 - 19 Mar 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1423

Abstract

This paper investigates the Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) factors influencing occupant satisfaction in commercial buildings in Iran, contrasting the views of building experts (architects and engineers) with those of building occupants. Employing the fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP), this study focuses on the four primary IEQ factors: thermal comfort, indoor air quality, visual comfort, and acoustic comfort. The study aims to bridge the gap between expert evaluations and occupant perceptions of IEQ factors in commercial buildings in Iran. By examining the disparities in prioritising IEQ factors between these two groups, the study sheds light on the complexities of IEQ assessment and highlights the importance of considering diverse perspectives in optimising indoor environments. Our methodology includes a survey conducted among 30 building experts (15 architects and 15 building engineers) and 102 occupants, employing FAHP to derive the relative importance weights of each IEQ factor. The results highlight significant disparities between architects, engineers, and occupants in prioritising these factors. Architects emphasise visual comfort (42%), while engineers and occupants view thermal comfort (53% and 41%) as the most crucial factor for occupant satisfaction. The study underscores the complexity of IEQ in commercial buildings and the diverse perspectives influencing its assessment. It contributes to the broader discourse on optimising IEQ, emphasising the need for a comprehensive approach that encompasses both technical expertise and occupant experience. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Indoor Climate Technology for Health and Comfort in Energy Efficient Buildings)

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27 pages, 3082 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association of Perceived Thermal Comfort and Air Quality with Building- and Occupant-Related Characteristics and Environmental Parameters in Sweden

by Theofanis Psomas, Despoina Teli, Adam O’ Donovan, Pavlos Kolias and Sarka Langer

Energies 2024, 17(6), 1471; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17061471 - 19 Mar 2024

Viewed by 1279

Abstract

The aim of the article is to analyze the perceived thermal comfort and indoor air quality of occupants and establish associations between these responses and the building-related, occupant-related characteristics, and environmental parameters of residential buildings (a total of 38 variables). The analysis is focused on the Swedish building stock as investigated during the latest national survey in 2008. The analysis covers 1035 residential buildings (multifamily and single-family dwellings). Analytical statistical analysis has been conducted, and logistic regression models have also been developed for the identification of statistically significant covariates. The analysis showed that users in this study demonstrated a significantly positive response to perceived thermal comfort and indoor air quality conditions. Perceived ratings were also highly correlated with each other. As the regression models indicated, the majority of the significant variables were related to the buildings. Nevertheless, this study also underscores the significance of contextual occupant attributes and behaviors as a crucial element influencing the subjective perception of indoor environments. Policymakers, guided by these insights, are encouraged to integrate considerations of occupant attributes into design and urban planning. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Indoor Climate Technology for Health and Comfort in Energy Efficient Buildings)

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18 pages, 2360 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Weather Forecast Control for Heating of Multi-Family Buildings in Comparison with Feedback and Feedforward Control

by Daniel Olsson, Peter Filipsson and Anders Trüschel

Energies 2024, 17(1), 261; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17010261 - 4 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1207

Abstract

Our joint environmental and energy commitments mean we must reduce the building’s energy use. Improved central heating control can play a role in how this is accomplished. There are three common control strategies: feedforward (traditional), feedback, and model predictive control (MPC). The latter two often work in parallel, where feedback uses indoor temperature sensors to adjust the supply water temperature. In contrast, the supply temperature setpoint is continuously calculated in MPC, fed with weather forecasts. The weather forecasts are often highlighted as essential ingredients in MPC, but at the same time, it is emphasized that temperature sensors are used to ensure a pleasant indoor temperature. To an outside observer, it is difficult to determine what is what in such combined control arrangements. Is energy saved because of the room sensors or because of the model? And what role do the weather forecasts play? This study quantifies the impact of the control strategy on energy use and indoor temperature. It concludes that PI-based feedback heating control saves approximately as much energy as MPC, and weather forecasts do not save significantly more energy than real-time weather data but are easier to obtain. The overall results for both control strategies align with the lower end of the result ranges of previous studies. The novelty is that the impact of weather forecasts has been studied separately and that different control strategies are compared against each other based on a model of a typical Swedish multi-family building. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Indoor Climate Technology for Health and Comfort in Energy Efficient Buildings)

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17 pages, 16344 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Indoor Climate Monitoring in Office Buildings—Comparative Analysis of Two Office Buildings without Air Conditioning

by Karsten Voss, Tjado Voß and Marvin Kaliga

Energies 2023, 16(19), 6790; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16196790 - 24 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1295

Abstract

Against the background of climate protection and the rising costs of a fossil-fuel-based energy supply, the interest in the energy performance and indoor climate of buildings in real operation is rising. This paper, therefore, deals with the indoor climate investigation of two medium-sized office buildings in Germany by taking measurements over a whole year. These relate to one new building and one refurbished building. Sensors of various types were installed and operated in a large number of office rooms, so that in total results are available for over 100 rooms, typically occupied by one or two persons. The analysis focuses on the indoor temperature in summer and the air quality in winter based on the CO₂ concentration. The comfort classes according to DIN EN 16798 including the adaptive comfort approach are used as a basis to cluster the results. Both buildings have movable sun protection and openable windows but no facilities for active cooling. They, thus, represent a large number of existing ‘low tech’ office buildings in Germany and central Europe. The results reflect the respective building concepts but also show a wide range between the rooms due to the user preferences and behaviour. The refurbished building shows better results, especially in terms of air quality but also in terms of summer room temperatures. This underlines the benefit of the targeted measures as a result of an analysis of the deficits in the existing building before the refurbishment. The additional measures for decentralised mechanical ventilation and passive cooling are having positive effects. As part of the projects, further measures to improve the indoor climate were investigated in both buildings. In one case, this involved CO₂ traffic lights to stimulate personal window ventilation in winter, and in the other, the use of newly developed individual ceiling fans supports convective heat dissipation on the human body during hot spells in summer. The positive effect could be demonstrated for both measures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Indoor Climate Technology for Health and Comfort in Energy Efficient Buildings)

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14 pages, 1483 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Feedback Control in Swedish Multi-Family Buildings for Lower Energy Demand and Assured Indoor Temperature—Measurements and Interviews

by Daniel Olsson, Peter Filipsson and Anders Trüschel

Energies 2023, 16(18), 6747; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16186747 - 21 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1122

Abstract

Europe needs to save energy, and lowered indoor temperature is frequently promoted as part of the solution. To facilitate this, heating control systems with feedback from indoor temperature sensors are often required to avoid thermal discomfort and achieve long-term temperature reductions. This article describes a measurement- and interview-based study on feedback control where 107 Swedish multifamily buildings were analysed. The obtained results show that buildings with lowered indoor temperatures had reduced annual heating demand by 4 kWh/m² and a reduced indoor temperature of 0.4 °C. There were, however, significant individual differences and even buildings with increased indoor temperatures, which harmed the energy savings. Temperature fluctuation was most often significantly reduced, but the impact on heating power demand during cold weather was, on average, only 2%. An interview with different actors indicated higher energy savings, possibly due to their stock’s original room temperature levels. Several interviewees also mentioned other advantages of temperature mapping. Most of the results obtained in this study were in line with several previous investigations. The study’s novelty lies in the large number of investigated buildings with mature commercial heat control technology, including PI-control for adjusting supply temperature, indoor temperature sensors in almost every apartment and a parallel analysis of additional affected parameters. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Indoor Climate Technology for Health and Comfort in Energy Efficient Buildings)

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