Evaluation of indoor climate in low energy houses

Abstract

The aim of the EU EPBD is to realize lower energy consumption in buildings, without neglecting the indoor climate, which can be specified as thermal comfort and indoor air quality. The research analysed 70 recently built dwellings in Flanders, Belgium, ranging from standard execution over low energy up to even energy positive houses. A monitoring campaign was set up to evaluate the indoor environment quality, both during winter and summer period. Both in winter and summer, the temperature is mostly within comfort boundaries. However, in better insulated dwellings the mean temperature is generally somewhat higher and the deviation is smaller whereas on warm days the temperature can rise uncomfortably in both living room and bedroom. CO2 and humidity measurements show good to reasonably good indoor air quality, independently from the type of ventilation system.