Impact of Indoor Climate on Energy Efficiency and Productivity in Office Buildings PDF

Most of energy in buildings is used for creation of healthy and comfortable indoor environment, and therefore lately an increased attention has been directed towards optimization of operation of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. This paper presents graphic-analytical approach to investigate the impact of indoor climate on energy efficiency and productivity in office buildings. Thermodynamic analysis of air conditioning processes is performed using statistical data for outdoor air conditions in Baltic States. The proposed method enables estimation of additional energy expenses that are required to maintain the optimal temperature and humidity levels for maximal productivity. The study shows that it is not viable to maintain optimal indoor air condition throughout the entire year, thus the allowance for deviation of temperature and humidity should be considered during certain periods, especially in cold and humid climate. Results of this study could be further used for improvement of building norms and regulations regarding design and operation of HVAC systems.