A case study on residential mixed-mode ventilation using the Ventilation Controls Virtual Test Bed

Mixed-mode ventilation uses intelligent switching between natural and (partly) mechanical ventilation modes to find the best possible balance between indoor air quality, user comfort and energy consumption. It applies demand-control at the level of the operating mode depending on the constraints imposed by the building, its users and its surroundings. Although mixed-mode ventilation is said to have the potential to achieve a comfortable and healthy indoor environment while achieving significant energy savings, it is rarely used in practice.

Wind Pressure Coefficient and Wind Velocity around Buildings in High Density Block of Metropolis for Natural Ventilation Design

The ventilative cooling by natural ventilation is important technology for the buildings in urban area for the sake of energy saving and BCP (Business Continuity Plan). In fact, a large number of high-rise buildings in urban area in Japanese metropolises are equipped with natural ventilation apparatus such as openings and chimneys or shafts.

When the EPR hits the fan, or…the killing of the fan energy

The last decades big steps have been made on the road to develop and design energy neutral buildings. Despite the large list of developments and improvements of all kind of energy saving technologies we see specifically for the larger non-residential buildings that the electric energy use for fans hardly show any reduction and becomes a dominant factor in the total energy use of these buildings. The fan energy currently counts already for approximately 15-20% of the total building related energy and becomes increasingly important. 

Better implementation of ventilative cooling (cooling of buildings using outside air as main source) in national building standards, legislation and compliance tools

Low energy buildings are highly insulated and airtight and therefore subject to overheating risks, where Ventilative cooling (VC) might be a relevant solution. VC is an application (distribution in time and space) of air flow rates to reduce cooling loads in spaces using outside air driven by natural, mechanical or hybrid ventilation strategies. Ventilative cooling reduces overheating in both existing and new buildings - being both a sustainable and energy efficient solution to improve indoor thermal comfort (State-of-the-art-review, Kolokotroni et al., 2015).

Ventilative Cooling – Time for large scale implementation?

The current development in building energy efficiency towards nearly-zero energy buildings (nZEB) represents a number of new challenges to design and construction. One of the major new challenges is the increased need for cooling arising in these highly insulated and airtight buildings. The cooling demand depends less on the outdoor temperature, and more on solar radiation and internal heat gains. This naturally gives better potential for the use of ventilative cooling technologies, because the cooling need is not only in summer, but actually all year round. 

Potential of mechanical ventilation for reducing overheating risks in retrofitted Danish apartment buildings from the period 1850-1890 – A simulation-based study

Advancing energy efficient renovation solutions in buildings necessitate adopting high-insulation and airtightness to avoid heat loss through transmission and infiltration, which can result in overheating. Elevated indoor temperatures have a highly negative effect on building occupants’ health, wellbeing and productivity. With the possibility of remote working, people spend more time at home, and therefore addressing the elevated indoor temperatures and the overheating risks in residential buildings proves to be essential.

Experimental and Numerical Study of a Building Retrofitting Solution Combining Phase Change Material Wallboards and Night Ventilation

The interest in phase change materials (PCMs) as a solution for thermal energy storage has been growing for the last decades. It is clear that PCMs are promising for reducing the summer heat peaks without increasing the energy demand for cooling. A new modular, reversible, lightweight retrofitting system was developed and integrated in a real size experimental test cell.

Ventilative cooling effectiveness in office buildings: a parametrical simulation

Controlled Natural Ventilation (CNV) is one of the potential most effective passive cooling technique to reduce cooling needs of buildings in temperate-hot climate zones. However, a correct balance amid internal heat capacity, thermal insulation, and net opening area is important to achieve optimal results. The present paper shows results from an original simulation process carried out within the Course “ICT in building design” of the Master degree programme ICT4SS (ICT for smart societies) at the Politecnico di Torino.

Characterising Window Opening Behaviour of Occupants Using Machine Learning Models

Occupants control indoor environments to meet their individual needs for comfort. The control of window is the most common natural ventilation method influencing indoor environment as well as the energy use of the buildings to maintain a suitable environment. Therefore a better understanding of window control behaviour of the occupants has significant implication to enhance occupant comfort with minimal energy consumption. The objective of this study was to identify an appropriate algorithm and variables to develop a predictive model for window control.

Energy analysis for balanced ventilation units from field studies

Balanced ventilation units are well known to provide a sufficient amount of fresh air in residential buildings in a controlled way, without relying on ever-changing naturally driven forces. During colder periods, heat recovery ensures a reduction of the ventilation heating load. Outside the colder periods, recovery is reduced or shut off automatically, providing mechanical ventilative cooling. During warmer periods, the recovery is used again to provide a comfortably cool supply of fresh air.

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