Green Buildings – Automated Natural Ventilation
Increasingly, we hear around us about “green buildings”, “green buildings”, “nZEB buildings”, “sustainable buildings”, etc. These are concepts that ultimately converge towards that type of energy-efficient building, environmentally friendly, which ensures a healthy environment for those inside.
In general, the classification of a building as “green” takes into account all phases of the building’s life: design, construction, operation. Regardless of the classification system (nZEB standard, BREEAM, LEED, DGNB, etc.) of a green building, credits (points) are generally awarded for various chapters included in the classification standard. Ultimately, these credits, summed up, establish a score that quantifies to what extent that building is “green”. That score translates into a rating given to the respective building.
Even in national legislation, it is specified that all new buildings, for which the reception at the completion of works is carried out starting from December 31, 2020, will be buildings whose energy consumption from conventional sources is almost zero (Law no. 372/2005). In this context, any energy-efficient building consumes less energy and makes it easier to supply the building with energy from renewable sources.
Automated Natural Ventilation of Buildings
Compared to widely used air conditioning systems, which are large energy consumers, an organized natural ventilation system of a building consumes only a fraction of the electrical energy needed to maintain a certain microclimate in a building.
In principle, it is a system that incorporates electric actuators (motors) for windows, as well as subsystems for intelligent monitoring and control of these actuators, which allow automatic adjustment of the building’s microclimate based on several internal and external parameters.
The benefits of an organized natural ventilation system for a building are numerous, but here are some of the most important:
- energy savings needed for heating/cooling the building;
- additional credits for Green Building certification;
- improvement of indoor air quality.
Regarding indoor air quality (IAQ), it has been proven that an intelligent natural ventilation system drastically reduces the incidence of “sick building syndrome” and contributes to increasing the work productivity of those working in the respective building.
Energy savings of 10-21%, a share of 3-11% in Green Building certification credits, a reduction of 25-67% in sick building syndrome, and an increase in work productivity of 3-18% – these are some of the ways in which an automated natural ventilation system can be beneficial for a building, especially when it comes to a “green” building.
In principle, the system contains several sensors:
- for external and internal temperature;
- for carbon dioxide concentration;
- for rain;
- for wind (anemometer).
By monitoring atmospheric parameters from outside and inside, the intelligent control system is capable of closing or opening automated windows. In case of heavy rain or increased wind, the system commands the closing of all windows.
One or more of the electric motors for windows can be certified according to EN 12101-2 and can also be used for smoke extraction in case of fire. You can find more details on our website about KADRA solutions for smoke extraction and ventilation systems.
The solutions proposed by KADRA are 100% customizable, according to the requirements of each project, and we can also provide systems with window actuators directly integrable into any BMS (Building Management System) for buildings equipped with such systems. More details can be found here: window automation. For buildings with BMS, it is possible to opt for the integration of the natural ventilation system with the existing HVAC system.
Our specialists are at your disposal for additional details, whether you have a concrete project or wish to become a distributor for KADRA solutions.
Didn't find what you were looking for? Search below!
