ESTIMATING THE INDOOR AIR QUALITY IN BUILDINGS WITH HEAT RECOVERY MECHANICAL VENTILATION SYSTEMS

Abstract

Today, the buildings sector represents more than 40 % of the total energy consumption in the European Union. A significant part of energy consumption in buildings relates to building ventilation. 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. 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 mechanical ventilation systems modeling in buildings by using software EnergyPlus, with the special attention to the indoor air quality (air temperature, relative air humidity, CO2 concentration).