NV Reports & Articles

University Of Technology – A Report On the WINDCATCHER

Phuoc Huynh, PhD, University of Technology, Sydney

This report gives a discussion on natural-ventilation systems using windcatcher; its working principles, its suitability for the Australian conditions, economic and environmental benefits from its use. Read more

 

Windcatcher Thermal Modelling Report Sydney Classroom

Dr Naghman Khan

Tests were conducted on a simple 70 sq mt classroom with various parameters showing the worst and best case scenarios. Read more

Energy savings with NV and HV

NSF/IUCRC Center for Building performance and Diagnostics at Carnegie Mellon University

Replace or supplement mechanical ventilation with natural ventilation or mixed-mode conditioning to achieve 47-49% HVAC energy savings, 0.8-1.3% health cost savings, and 3-18% productivity gains, for an average ROI of at least 120%. Read more

 

Ventilation Strategies in School Buildings for Optimization of Air Quality

Costanzo Di Perna, Elena Mengaroni, Lucia Fuselli, Alessandro Stazi  

This study copes with the problem of ventilation in existing educational environments in terms of indoor air quality (AIQ), comfort and energy consumption. In accordance with international regulations, densely occupied environments such as school classrooms need high air change rates in order to provide sufficient fresh air. Read more

 

Ventilation Rates in Schools and Pupils’ Performance

Zs. Bakó-Biró, D.J. Clements-Croome, N. Kochhar, H.B. Awbi, M.J. Williams

The present investigation provides strong evidence that low ventilation rates in classrooms significantly reduce pupils’ attention and vigilance, and negatively affect memory and concentration. The physical environment therefore affects teaching and learning. Read more

 

Drivers and Barriers for Natural Ventilation

Guido Mendes, MSc Technology Entrepreneurship University College London

Advanced design techniques today allow large buildings from different sectors to be naturally ventilated without the use of mechanical HVAC systems. Where natural ventilation was applied, a considerable saving opportunity was demonstrated, so why it is not widely adopted and why are mechanical systems still preferred? Read more

 

Adaptive Comfort Applications in Australia and Impacts on Building Energy Consumption

Richard de Dear, Division of Environmental and Life Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney

The adaptive comfort model provides a theoretically coherent option that opens up  many cost-effective, low energy design alternatives. Numerous example applications are appearing all over the world. This paper describes Australian applications in mixed-mode buildings.  Estimates of building energy conservation are 40% and 45%  for the Sydney and Melbourne case-studies respectively, compared to the Australian conventional HVAC benchmark. Read more