Application of Mixed-Mode Ventilation to Enhance Indoor Air Quality and Energy Efficiency in School Buildings
Indoor air quality and energy efficiency are instrumental aspects of school facility design and construction, as they directly affect the physical well-being, comfort, and academic output of both pupils and staff. The challenge of balancing the need for adequate ventilation to enhance indoor air qua...
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MDPI AG
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Energies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/23/6097 |
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| author | Christopher Otoo Tao Lu Xiaoshu Lü |
| author_facet | Christopher Otoo Tao Lu Xiaoshu Lü |
| author_sort | Christopher Otoo |
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| description | Indoor air quality and energy efficiency are instrumental aspects of school facility design and construction, as they directly affect the physical well-being, comfort, and academic output of both pupils and staff. The challenge of balancing the need for adequate ventilation to enhance indoor air quality with the goal of reducing energy consumption has long been a topic of debate. The implementation of mixed-mode ventilation systems with automated controls presents a promising solution to address this issue. However, a comprehensive literature review on this subject is still missing. To address this gap, this review examines the potential application of mixed-mode ventilation systems as a solution to attaining improved energy savings without compromising indoor air quality and thermal comfort in educational environments. Mixed-mode ventilation systems, which combine natural ventilation and mechanical ventilation, provide the versatility to alternate between or merge both methods based on real-time indoor and outdoor environmental conditions. By analyzing empirical studies, case studies, and theoretical models, this review investigates the efficacy of mixed-mode ventilation systems in minimizing energy use and enhancing indoor air quality. Essential elements such as operable windows, sensors, and sophisticated control technologies are evaluated to illustrate how mixed-mode ventilation systems dynamically optimize ventilation to sustain comfortable and healthy indoor climates. This paper further addresses the challenges linked to the design and implementation of mixed-mode ventilation systems, including complexities in control and the necessity for climate-adaptive strategies. The findings suggest that mixed-mode ventilation systems can considerably lower heating, ventilation, and air conditioning energy usage, with energy savings ranging from 20% to 60% across various climate zones, while also enhancing indoor air quality with advanced control systems and data-driven control strategies. In conclusion, mixed-mode ventilation systems offer a promising approach for school buildings to achieve energy efficiency and effective ventilation without sacrificing indoor environment quality. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8d1b8fb0e5364d6f9ce9cb5ef9dd2606 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj-art-8d1b8fb0e5364d6f9ce9cb5ef9dd26062024-12-13T16:26:02ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732024-12-011723609710.3390/en17236097Application of Mixed-Mode Ventilation to Enhance Indoor Air Quality and Energy Efficiency in School BuildingsChristopher Otoo0Tao Lu1Xiaoshu Lü2Department of Electrical Engineering and Energy Technology, University of Vaasa, P.O. Box 700, 65200 Vaasa, FinlandDepartment of Electrical Engineering and Energy Technology, University of Vaasa, P.O. Box 700, 65200 Vaasa, FinlandDepartment of Electrical Engineering and Energy Technology, University of Vaasa, P.O. Box 700, 65200 Vaasa, FinlandIndoor air quality and energy efficiency are instrumental aspects of school facility design and construction, as they directly affect the physical well-being, comfort, and academic output of both pupils and staff. The challenge of balancing the need for adequate ventilation to enhance indoor air quality with the goal of reducing energy consumption has long been a topic of debate. The implementation of mixed-mode ventilation systems with automated controls presents a promising solution to address this issue. However, a comprehensive literature review on this subject is still missing. To address this gap, this review examines the potential application of mixed-mode ventilation systems as a solution to attaining improved energy savings without compromising indoor air quality and thermal comfort in educational environments. Mixed-mode ventilation systems, which combine natural ventilation and mechanical ventilation, provide the versatility to alternate between or merge both methods based on real-time indoor and outdoor environmental conditions. By analyzing empirical studies, case studies, and theoretical models, this review investigates the efficacy of mixed-mode ventilation systems in minimizing energy use and enhancing indoor air quality. Essential elements such as operable windows, sensors, and sophisticated control technologies are evaluated to illustrate how mixed-mode ventilation systems dynamically optimize ventilation to sustain comfortable and healthy indoor climates. This paper further addresses the challenges linked to the design and implementation of mixed-mode ventilation systems, including complexities in control and the necessity for climate-adaptive strategies. The findings suggest that mixed-mode ventilation systems can considerably lower heating, ventilation, and air conditioning energy usage, with energy savings ranging from 20% to 60% across various climate zones, while also enhancing indoor air quality with advanced control systems and data-driven control strategies. In conclusion, mixed-mode ventilation systems offer a promising approach for school buildings to achieve energy efficiency and effective ventilation without sacrificing indoor environment quality.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/23/6097indoor air qualityenergy efficiencymixed-mode ventilationnatural ventilationmechanical ventilationschool building |
| spellingShingle | Christopher Otoo Tao Lu Xiaoshu Lü Application of Mixed-Mode Ventilation to Enhance Indoor Air Quality and Energy Efficiency in School Buildings Energies indoor air quality energy efficiency mixed-mode ventilation natural ventilation mechanical ventilation school building |
| title | Application of Mixed-Mode Ventilation to Enhance Indoor Air Quality and Energy Efficiency in School Buildings |
| title_full | Application of Mixed-Mode Ventilation to Enhance Indoor Air Quality and Energy Efficiency in School Buildings |
| title_fullStr | Application of Mixed-Mode Ventilation to Enhance Indoor Air Quality and Energy Efficiency in School Buildings |
| title_full_unstemmed | Application of Mixed-Mode Ventilation to Enhance Indoor Air Quality and Energy Efficiency in School Buildings |
| title_short | Application of Mixed-Mode Ventilation to Enhance Indoor Air Quality and Energy Efficiency in School Buildings |
| title_sort | application of mixed mode ventilation to enhance indoor air quality and energy efficiency in school buildings |
| topic | indoor air quality energy efficiency mixed-mode ventilation natural ventilation mechanical ventilation school building |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/23/6097 |
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