Ventilation of work spaces in office buildings and its influence on energy efficiency

Abstract

The energy efficiency of buildings is affected when trying to improve levels of user comfort. Indoor air quality determines which ventilation strategies to implement, either natural or mechanical. Nowadays, this decision has become an important variable when balancing the operative costs of a building. Accordingly, this work aims to evaluate different ventilation strategies and their performance in regards to energy efficiency. A field study was carried out in sixty workspaces in two buildings featuring differences in ventilation systems. The database for the analysis was obtained from measurements and user questionnaires. Results were evaluated based on the requirements set by international standards and user observations. Results showed that an increase in the occupation rate in buildings lead to the incorporation of additional equipment with a consequent increase in electrical load, as well as further demands on air quality, ventilation and air conditioning. The study detected important opportunities for action in which changes could be made to ensure the improved efficiency of operating buildings.