Indoor Environmental Quality in Mechanically Ventilated, Energy-Efficient Buildings vs. Conventional Buildings

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Peter Wallner¹  Ute Munoz⁴  Peter Tappler⁴  Anna Wanka²  Michael Kundi¹  Janie F. Shelton¹  Hans-Peter Hutter¹  Gary Adamkiewicz³ 

[1] Institute of Environmental Health, Center for Public Health, Medical University Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, Vienna 1090, Austria; E-Mails:;Institute of Sociology, University Vienna, Austria, Alserbachstraße 5, Vienna 1090, Austria; E-Mail:Institute of Environmental Health, Center for Public Health, Medical University Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, Vienna 1090, Austria;;Austrian Institute for Healthy and Ecological Building, Alserbachstraße 5, Vienna 1090, Austria; E-Mails:

关键词: energy-efficient buildings;    indoor air quality;    measurements;    mechanical ventilation;    natural ventilation;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijerph121114132

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Energy-efficient buildings need mechanical ventilation. However, there are concerns that inadequate mechanical ventilation may lead to impaired indoor air quality. Using a semi-experimental field study, we investigated if exposure of occupants of two types of buildings (mechanical vs. natural ventilation) differs with regard to indoor air pollutants and climate factors. We investigated living and bedrooms in 123 buildings (62 highly energy-efficient and 61 conventional buildings) built in the years 2010 to 2012 in Austria (mainly Vienna and Lower Austria). Measurements of indoor parameters (climate, chemical pollutants and biological contaminants) were conducted twice. In total, more than 3000 measurements were performed. Almost all indoor air quality and room climate parameters showed significantly better results in mechanically ventilated homes compared to those relying on ventilation from open windows and/or doors. This study does not support the hypothesis that occupants in mechanically ventilated low energy houses are exposed to lower indoor air quality.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.