Analysing the benefits of a photovoltaic-powered passive ventilation system on the indoor air quality.

Seddiki, Mohammed; Chawla, Vishakha; Deveci, Gokay

Abstract

The Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) of an enclosed space has direct impacts on its occupants as people spend 90% of their time indoors. A ventilation system ensures sufficient air exchange between the indoor and outdoor spaces to facilitate the indoor air pollutants to move outdoors, and fresh outdoor air to move indoor, thereby maintaining optimum IAQ. Majority of the common ventilation systems in the UK are mechanical in nature that consume energy for their operation. A passive ventilation system powered by integrated photovoltaic cells can eliminate this energy requirement while also promoting improved IAQ. The research presented in this paper aims at monitoring the impact of installing an innovative Photovoltaic-Powered Passive Ventilation System on the IAQ of a bungalow house that has had the roof floor and walls insulated. A single point sampling methodology is adopted wherein Testo 160 IAQ sensors that monitor Carbon Dioxide (CO2) concentrations are installed in the living room and bedroom of the test property at a height of 1.5m above the floor level and 2m away from occupants. To analyse the impact of the passive ventilation system on the IAQ the CO2 concentration was monitored for eight weeks prior to the installation of the system and eight weeks post installation. The research results show that prior to the installation of the passive ventilation system, the IAQ of the living room was in the range of 500-1,500ppm. However, post installation of the passive ventilation system, the IAQ of the same room was in the range of 500-1,200ppm. The improved IAQ along with its low installation and operation costs ascertains the benefits of a Photovoltaic-Powered Passive Ventilation System.

Citation

SEDDIKI, M., CHAWLA, V. and DEVECI, G. 2024. Analysing the benefits of a photovoltaic-powered passive ventilation system on the indoor air quality. Presented at the 2024 Annual conference and annual general meeting of the UK Indoor Environments Group (UKIEG 2024): monitoring and big data as drivers of research and the policy agenda for indoor environmental quality and health, 6 June 2024, Glasgow, UK.

• Presentation Conference Type: Poster
• Conference Name: 2024 Annual conference and annual general meeting of the UK Indoor Environments Group (UKIEG 2024): monitoring and big data as drivers of research and the policy agenda for indoor environmental quality and health
• Start Date: Jun 6, 2024
• Deposit Date: Sep 25, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 27, 2025
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Keywords: Air quality; Indoor air quality; Ventilation systems; Photovoltaic energy
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/2486924