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;
- improved 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 increased work productivity for those working in the respective building.
Energy savings of 10-21%, a share of 3-11% in Green Building certification credits, a 25-67% reduction in sick building syndrome, and a 3-18% increase in work productivity – these are just some of the ways an automated natural ventilation system can benefit a building, especially when it comes to a “green” building.
In principle, the system contains several sensors:
- outdoor and indoor temperature sensors;
- carbon dioxide concentration sensor;
- rain sensor;
- wind sensor (anemometer).
By monitoring atmospheric parameters outside and inside, the intelligent control system is able to close or open the automated windows. In case of heavy rain or strong wind, the system commands the closing of all windows.
One or more of the electric window motors can be certified according to EN 12101-2 and can also be used for smoke extraction in the event of a fire. You can find more details on our website about KADRA solutions for smoke extraction and ventilation systems.
KADRA’s proposed solutions are 100% customizable, depending on the requirements of each project, and we can also provide window actuator systems that can be directly integrated into any BMS (Building Management System), for buildings equipped with such a system. More details can be found here: window automation. For buildings with a BMS, the natural ventilation system can be integrated with the existing HVAC system.
Our specialists are available for additional details, whether you have a specific project or would like to become a distributor for KADRA solutions.
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