HEAT RECOVERY MECHANICAL VENTILATION SYSTEM AND INDOOR AIR QUALITY IN BUILDINGS IN ENERGYPLUS ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

In developed countries the HVAC systems consume around a third of the total energy consumption. A significant part of energy consumption in buildings relates to building ventilation. Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery is often considered as one of the key elements of a low energy residential building. Heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems (HVAC) are essential for the maintenance of a comfortable and healthy indoor environment for building occupants. In order to reduce energy costs, the mechanical ventilation systems with heat recovery are designed. Ventilation is one method to maintain good indoor air quality. Indoor air quality (IAQ) is an important factor for every person living in a building. The primary functions of mechanical ventilation systems include the delivery of outdoor air to the occupants, the removal of indoor contaminants and the maintenance of thermal comfort conditions in the occupied zones. This paper presents a method of heat recovery mechanical ventilation system modeling in buildings by using software EnergyPlus, with special attention to the IAQ (air temperature, relative air humidity, CO2 concentration).