Energy efficiency and comfort in office buildings: The german case

Abstract

The building construction in Europe during the last 15 years has brought along a common solving target, to tackle the problem of Energy Efficiency and Comfort in work spaces. The proposals for change and betterment are oriented towards the development of a "transparent" architecture using large enveloping surfaces of glass panels. This approach is endowed with the concepts of being altogether ecology friendly and sustainable. Nevertheless, the usage and the experience through time have triggered an alarm to the field scientists. The objective of the work is to detect the most relevant aspects affecting both the Energy Efficiency (EE) and the users' Comfort of work spaces in order to elaborate a set of proper calculus and design tools. A field research work has been undertaken here on the basis of on-site measurements and questionnaire responses to study 19 office buildings in Germany. From the energy monitoring, and the analysis of comfort levels, certain optimization potentials have been discerned. It is observed that the EE cannot be achieved by just connecting the building to the energy networks after the construction is finish, but -quite on the contrary- by integrative planning and monitoring throughout the building's useful life, allows for proper correction measures that result in better EE and Comfort levels.