Scholarly record
IMPROVING EDUCATIONAL BUILDING ENVIRONMENTS: A FOCUS ON COMFORT AND ENERGY
Abstract
This study investigates the relationship between users- comfort and energy consumption in an educational building located in a humid continental climate. Through a year-long monitoring program, we collected data on indoor temperature, humidity, lighting levels, CO2 concentrations, and natural gas consumption. Our analysis revealed that during the heating season, the average indoor temperature was 24.03 degrees Celsius while natural gas consumption reached 41.71 megawatt-hours (MWh). By analyzing the relationship between indoor environmental factors and energy consumption, we have identified a simple, yet very efficient passive strategy to improve building performance. By reducing indoor temperatures by just 1 or 2 degrees Celsius, we can significantly cut energy use. It's a simple step that can make a big difference. Furthermore, this research emphasizes the importance of educating occupants on energy-saving behaviors to complement building-level improvements. By combining these strategies, educational institutions can achieve substantial energy savings while maintaining a comfortable indoor environment. The insights from this research can guide building managers, architects, and policymakers in creating healthier and more sustainable educational spaces.
Publication Impact Profile
Publication details
References14
United Nations Environment Programme, 2022 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction, ISBN: 978-92-807-4131-5, United Nations Avenue, 2023;
Vijayan, D. S., Sivasuriyan, A., Patchamuthu, P., Jayaseelan, R., Thermal performance of energy-efficient buildings for sustainable development. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2022, 29 (34), 51130-51142; DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-17602-3
Lopez-Perez, L. A., Flores-Prieto, J. J., Adaptive thermal comfort approach to save energy in tropical climate educational building by artificial intelligence. Energy, 2023, 263, 125706; DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2022.125706
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1235337/romania-educational-units-by-type/ [Accessed on 10 September 2024];
https://energy.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2021-04/ro_2020_ltrs_en_version_0.pdf [Accessed on 10 September 2024];
Almeida, R. M., De Freitas, V. P., Indoor environmental quality of classrooms in Southern European climate. Energy and Buildings, 2014, 81, 127-140; DOI: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2014.06.020
Kapalo, P., Meciarova, L., Vilcekova, S., Kridlova Burdova, E., Domnita, F., Bacotiu, C., Peterfi, K.E., Investigation of CO2 production depending on physical activity of students. International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 2019, 29(1), 31-44; DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2018.1506570
de la Hoz-Torres, M. L., Aguilar, A. J., Ruiz, D. P., Martinez-Aires, M. D., An investigation of indoor thermal environments and thermal comfort in naturally ventilated educational buildings. Journal of Building Engineering, 2024, 84, 108677; DOI: 10.1016/j.jobe.2024.108677
Liu, X., Wu, Y., Wu, H., Enhancing HVAC energy management through multi-zone occupant-centric approach: A multi-agent deep reinforcement learning solution. Energy and Buildings, 2024, 303, 113770; DOI: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2023.113770
http://www.bpie.eu/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Building-4-people_methodology 2018.pdf [Accessed on 12 September 2024];
ASHRAE Standard 55, Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, 2017;
I5-2022, Norms for the design, execution and operation of ventilation and air conditioning installations, Ministry of Development and Administration, Bucharest 2023;
Jing, S., Lei, Y., Wang, H., Song, C., Yan, X. Thermal comfort and energy-saving potential in university classrooms during the heating season. Energy and Buildings, 2019, 202, 109390; DOI: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2019.109390
Cilibiu, C., Abrudan, A. C., Fetea, M. S., Reducing Energy Consumption for Heating Systems in Residential Buildings-Case Study. Acta Technica Napocensis-Series: Applied Mathematics, Mechanics, And Engineering, 2022, 65 (2);
View or Download full articleAccess options
SWS access login
Login as SWS Scientific CommitteeLogin as SWS Scientific PartnerLogin as SWS AuthorAuthors and approved SWS contributors will read and export their own linked papers after identity matching by SWS profile, email and SGEM GlobalID.
For librarian assistance: [email protected]
Purchase Instant Access
- Article can be downloaded after successful payment.
- Article may be used according to SWS library access terms.
- Article cannot be redistributed.

