Reduced energy consumption in buildings - impacts on indoor air quality and health

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Buildings represent one of the sectors that significantly can improve energy efficiency if today?s goals on reduced energy consumption and reduced emissions of greenhouse gases are to be met. Experience has shown that energy saving measures may affect bot h building constructions and indoor climate, resulting in impaired health and lower productivity. Impacts on health and productivity span from almost unnoticeable subjective annoyance to complete work disability. Dampness, mould, high temperature, low ve ntilation rates, airborne pollutants etc. may be causes of the problems. A number of studies indicate that dampness in constructions and growth of mould play an important role for indoor air quality. Air-tightness, reduced ventilation rates, thick insulat ion and advanced control systems, certainly reduce energy consumption. However, if not properly operated and maintained they may be risk factors causing problems. New knowledge is needed on the impacts of different heating systems, how to design and use v entilation systems properly, and establish control routines for securing proper operation and a good indoor climate. The overall project objective is to develop knowledge to ensure that measures for reduced energy consumption in both residential and non -residential buildings are not introduced at the expense of impaired indoor air quality and health. Key elements like heating systems, ventilation rates, air tightness, insulation thickness, dampness and occupant behaviour and attitude, may act alone or i nteract, and will be investigated. The objectives will be achieved by analyzing the impacts of separate elements affecting indoor climate in new and renovated energy-efficient buildings. The project will focus on three issues; heating systems, ventilation rates and occupant behaviour and attitude.