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Indoor Air Quality and Ventilation Energy in University Classrooms: Simplified Model to Predict Trade-Offs and Synergies

Author

Listed:
  • Farah Shoukry

    (Environmental Engineering Program, School of Sciences and Engineering, The American University in Cairo, AUC Avenue, P.O. Box 74, New Cairo 11835, Egypt)

  • Rana Raafat

    (Department of Architecture, School of Sciences and Engineering, The American University in Cairo, AUC Avenue, P.O. Box 74, New Cairo 11835, Egypt)

  • Khaled Tarabieh

    (Department of Architecture, School of Sciences and Engineering, The American University in Cairo, AUC Avenue, P.O. Box 74, New Cairo 11835, Egypt)

  • Sherif Goubran

    (Department of Architecture, School of Sciences and Engineering, The American University in Cairo, AUC Avenue, P.O. Box 74, New Cairo 11835, Egypt)

Abstract

Students and educators spend significant time in learning spaces on university campuses. Energy efficiency has become a concern among facility managers, given the need to maintain acceptable indoor air quality (IAQ) levels during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper investigates the relationship between control and extraneous variables in a university classroom’s total mechanical ventilation (kWh). The model is built using Grasshopper software on Rhino Version 7. Our methodology encompasses (1) an extensive review of recent trends for studying IAQ and energy, (2) selecting parameters for simulation, (3) model configuration on Grasshopper, and finally, (4) a formulation of a pertinent equation to consolidate the relationship between the studied factors and the total mechanical ventilation energy (kWh). Central to this study are two key research questions: (1) What correlations exist between various parameters related to occupancy and IAQ in educational spaces? And (2) how can we optimize energy efficiency in university classrooms? The main contribution of this research is a generated equation representing the annual mechanical ventilation energy consumption based on selected parameters of classroom height, area, occupancy, window location, and ventilation rate of HVAC systems. We find that occupancy and class volume are the two most influential factors directly affecting mechanical ventilation energy consumption. The equation serves as a valuable estimation tool for facility managers, designers, and campus operations to investigate how fluctuations in occupancy can influence ventilation energy consumption in the physical attributes of a university classroom. This enables proactive decision-making, optimizing energy efficiency and resource allocation in real-time to promote sustainable and cost-effective campus operations.

Suggested Citation

  • Farah Shoukry & Rana Raafat & Khaled Tarabieh & Sherif Goubran, 2024. "Indoor Air Quality and Ventilation Energy in University Classrooms: Simplified Model to Predict Trade-Offs and Synergies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-27, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:7:p:2719-:d:1363954
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jaqueline Litardo & Ruben Hidalgo-Leon & Guillermo Soriano, 2021. "Energy Performance and Benchmarking for University Classrooms in Hot and Humid Climates," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-17, October.
    2. Ioannis Tzoutzas & Helena C. Maltezou & Nikolaos Barmparesos & Panagiotis Tasios & Chrysanthi Efthymiou & Margarita Niki Assimakopoulos & Maria Tseroni & Rengina Vorou & Fotios Tzermpos & Maria Antoni, 2021. "Indoor Air Quality Evaluation Using Mechanical Ventilation and Portable Air Purifiers in an Academic Dentistry Clinic during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Greece," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-12, August.
    3. Stefano Zauli-Sajani & Stefano Marchesi & Giuseppe Boselli & Elisa Broglia & Alessandro Angella & Elena Maestri & Nelson Marmiroli & Annamaria Colacci, 2022. "Effectiveness of a Protocol to Reduce Children’s Exposure to Particulate Matter and NO 2 in Schools during Alert Days," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-12, September.
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