| 1. |
- Lundgren Kownacki, Karin, et al.
(författare)
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Does a building renovation improve the indoor thermal comfort? : A thermal environment evaluation before and after renovation
- 2019
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- A sustainable renovation results in both a good indoor environment and high-energy efficiency. However, contemporary renovations often focus on energy and environmental performance, leaving out other aspects, such as the thermal comfort. The aim of the ongoing study is to compare the results of an extensive thermal environment evaluation before and after major renovation of ten typical 1970’s rental apartments in multi-family buildings located in Southern Sweden. The data collected is comprehensive and includes measurements of air temperature, relative humidity (RH), air velocity, plane radiant and globe temperature, draught rate, turbulence intensity, operative temperature, PMV/PPD indices and thermal sensation (thermal comfort evaluation) using a LumaSense INNOVA 1221 Thermal Comfort data logger. MSR Temp/RH data logger sensors were also placed at four different heights. The outside weather data and individual factors such as clothing, activity, gender, age were also collected. Measurements were taken in the living room of each apartment for 2 hours during three winter seasons: one measurement session before and two after renovation resulting in 30 measurements in total. The preliminary results from the first two winter seasons for draught rate, PMV/PPD, RH and radiant temperature all showed slight improvements after renovation. Further, the study results show that the individual perceived thermal comfort does not always agree with the measured and calculated thermal comfort. The data is currently under analysis and final results will be presented.
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| 2. |
- Lundgren Kownacki, Karin, et al.
(författare)
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Heat stress in indoor environments of Scandinavian urban areas : A literature review
- 2019
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Ingår i: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. - : MDPI AG. - 1660-4601. ; 16:560
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Climate change increases the risks of heat stress, especially in urban areas where urban heat islands can develop. This literature review aims to describe how severe heat can occur and be identified in urban indoor environments, and what actions can be taken on the local scale. There is a connection between the outdoor and the indoor climate in buildings without air conditioning, but the pathways leading to the development of severe heat levels indoors are complex. These depend, for example, on the type of building, window placement, the residential area’s thermal outdoor conditions, and the residents’ influence and behavior. This review shows that only few studies have focused on the thermal environment indoors during heat waves, despite the fact that peoplecommonly spend most of their time indoors and are likely to experience increased heat stress Indoors in the future. Among reviewed studies, it was found that the indoor temperature can reach levels 50% higher in C than the outdoor temperature, which highlights the importance of assessment and remediation of heat indoors. Further, most Heat-Health Warning Systems (HHWS) are based on the outdoor climate only, which can lead to a misleading interpretation of the health effects and associated solutions. In order to identify severe heat, six factors need to be taken into account, including air temperature, heat radiation, humidity, and air movement as well as the physical activity and the clothes worn by the individual. Heat stress can be identified using a heat index that includes these six factors. This paper presents some examples of practical and easy to use heat indices that are relevant for indoor environments as well as models that can be applied in indoor environments at the city level. However, existing indexes are developed for healthy workers and do not account for vulnerable groups, different uses, and daily variations. As a result, this paper highlights the needfor the development of a heat index or the adjustment of current thresholds to apply specifically to indoor environments, its different uses, and vulnerable groups. There are several actions that can be taken to reduce heat indoors and thus improve the health and well-being of the population in urbanareas. Examples of effective measures to reduce heat stress indoors include the use of shading devices such as blinds and vegetation as well as personal cooling techniques such as the use of fans and cooling vests. Additionally, the integration of innovative Phase Change Materials (PCM) into facades, roofs, floors, and windows can be a promising alternative once no negative health and environmental effects of PCM can be ensured.
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| 3. |
- Lundgren Kownacki, Karin, et al.
(författare)
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Värmestress i urbana inomhusmiljöer : Förekomst och åtgärder i befintlig bebyggelse
- 2018
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Ingår i: Värmestress i urbana inomhusmiljöer - Förekomst och åtgärder i befintlig bebyggelse. ; 18060
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Bokkapitel (populärvet., debatt m.m.)abstract
- This literature review describes how heat stress can develop indoors, how it can be identified, and what actions can be taken, with a focus on property owner’s responsibilities. The review is limited to existing buildings in Sweden and includes schools, retirement homes, apartments, preschools, and non-industrial offices (those without industrial processes that produce heat). The expected climate changes increase the risks of heat stress, especially in urban areas where urban heat islands can develop. Strong heat can have several negative health outcomes, and this report has identified the risk groups as the chronically ill, people who take certain medications or have a disability, infants, pregnant women, individuals with heavy physical work, and emergency workers. There is a connection between the outdoor and the indoor climate in buildings without air conditioning, but the pathways leading to the development of severe heat levels indoors during heat waves are complex. These depend, for example, on the type of building, window placement, the residential area's thermal outdoor conditions, and the residents’ influence and behaviour. This review shows that few studies have focused on the thermal environment indoors during heat waves despite the fact that in Sweden people spend most of their time indoors and are likely to experience increased heat stress indoors in the future. Further, current Heat-Health Warning Systems (HHWS) are based on the outdoor climate, which can lead to a misleading interpretation of the health effects and hinder the development of more effective interventions. In order to identify severe heat, six factors need to be taken into account, including air temperature, heat radiation, humidity, and air movement as well as the physical activity and the clothes worn by the individual. Severe heat can be identified using a heat index that includes these six factors. However, it is noted that existing indexes do not take into account a person’s health status. This report presents some examples of heat indices that are relevant for indoor environments, as well as models that can be applied at the city level. It also highlights the need for the development of a heat index that specifically targets the identification of severe heat in indoor environments. There are a number of measures that can be taken in existing buildings to reduce heat indoors and thus improve the health and well-being of the population in urban areas. This report also describes a number of effective measures that are relevant to both property owners and its residents. Examples of effective measures to reduce heat stress indoors are the use of shading devices such as blinds and vegetation, but also personal cooling techniques such as the use of fans and cooling vests, as well as the integration of innovative Phase Change Materials (PCM) into facades, roofs, floors, and windows.
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| 4. |
- Pedersen, Eja, et al.
(författare)
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Challenges in transdisciplinary research : Example from a study on people as part of energy and ventilation systems in residential buildings (PEIRE)
- 2019
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Ingår i: Cold Climate HVAC 2018 : Sustainable Buildings in Cold Climates - Sustainable Buildings in Cold Climates. - 9783030006617 - 9783030006624 ; , s. 802-812
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Energy efficiency measures in residential buildings typically include changes in ventilation and heating systems, and increased thermal insulation of the building envelope. The expected energy efficiency is not always reached, despite large knowledge and professional implementation of each separate measure. Thereis a lack in understanding of how technical systems interact, and how the ocupants are influenced by and in turn influence the systems by their behaviour. A holistic view and a transdisciplinary research approach are needed to understand relevant interactions and propose integrated energy efficiency measures. The aim of this paper is to reveal challenges in transdisciplinary research projects that include real world studies on both humans and technical systems with measurements before and after renovation of multifamily housing. It is based on experiences from the PEIRE-project (People, Environment, Indoor, Renovation, Energy) carried out by a research team with expertise on environmental psychology, human behaviour, interaction design, universal design, building physics, building services, thermal comfort, aerosol technology, exposure assessment, acoustics, daylight, and complex thinking. Differences in theoretical bases and methodology needed to be dealt with. Metatheory building could help with the transition from a multi- to a transdisciplinary understanding.
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Pedersen, Eja, et al.
(författare)
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Challenges in Transdisciplinary Research—Example from a Study on People as Part of Energy and Ventilation Systems in Residential Buildings (PEIRE)
- 2018
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Ingår i: Cold Climate HVAC 2018. - Cham : Springer. - 9783030006617 - 9783030006624 ; , s. 803-812
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Bokkapitel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Energy efficiency measures in residential buildings typically include changes in ventilation and heating systems, and increased thermal insulation of the building envelope. The expected energy efficiency is not always reached, despite large knowledge and professional implementation of each separate measure. There is a lack in understanding of how technical systems interact, and how the occupants are influenced by and in turn influence the systems by their behaviour. A holistic view and a transdisciplinary research approach are needed to understand relevant interactions and propose integrated energy efficiency measures. The aim of this paper is to reveal challenges in transdisciplinary research projects that include real world studies on both humans and technical systems with measurements before and after renovation of multifamily housing. It is based on experiences from the PEIRE-project (People, Environment, Indoor, Renovation, Energy) carried out by a research team with expertise on environmental psychology, human behaviour, interaction design, universal design, building physics, building services, thermal comfort, aerosol technology, exposure assessment, acoustics, daylight, and complex thinking. Differences in theoretical bases and methodology needed to be dealt with. Metatheory building could help with the transition from a multi- to a transdisciplinary understanding.
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| 7. |
- Pedersen, Eja, et al.
(författare)
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Tenant perceptions of post-renovation indoor environmental quality in rental housing: improved for some, but not for those reporting health-related symptoms
- 2020
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Ingår i: Building and Environment. - : Elsevier BV. - 1873-684X .- 0360-1323. ; 189
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Much of the 1950–1970s building stock in Sweden and other European countries is being renovated to reduce energy use and for general upgrading. To realize the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the renovations should also improve indoor environmental quality (IEQ). The PEIRE (People-Environment-Indoor-Renovation-Energy) study followed the renovation of a multifamily housing area in Sweden comprising 14 buildings with 323 dwellings in total. We aimed to investigate tenant perception of IEQ changes after the renovation with focus on perceived control of IEQ, recalling of being informed how to control IEQ, and if tenants with self-reported symptoms perceive the changes differently. A post-renovation survey (n = 104, response rate 36%) showed that the renovation increased the proportion of residents experiencing satisfactory thermal comfort and air quality in the winter, as well as improved noise conditions. Perceiving reduced draught in the thermal environment was associated with experiencing being informed and being able to control heat and ventilation. Respondents reporting skin irritation symptoms were less likely than others to perceive any improvements of IEQ factors such as air quality, daylight, noise from installations and neighbours, and periods of excessive heat. Renovations targeting housing sustainability – here, decreasing energy use and mitigating wear and tear while keeping the rents low – could increase tenant perceptions of improved IEQ, especially if factors concerning information and tenants’ ability to control the regulating systems are addressed. Interestingly, results of this study point out that tenants experiencing IEQ-related symptoms may require enhanced IEQ improvements to experience the renovation as satisfactory.
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| 8. |
- Wierzbicka, Aneta, et al.
(författare)
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Healthy Indoor Environments : The Need for a Holistic Approach
- 2018
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Ingår i: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. - : MDPI. - 1661-7827 .- 1660-4601. ; 15:9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Indoor environments have a large impact on health and well-being, so it is important to understand what makes them healthy and sustainable. There is substantial knowledge on individual factors and their effects, though understanding how factors interact and what role occupants play in these interactions (both causative and receptive) is lacking. We aimed to: (i) explore interactions between factors and potential risks if these are not considered from holistic perspective; and (ii) identify components needed to advance research on indoor environments. The paper is based on collaboration between researchers from disciplines covering technical, behavioural, and medical perspectives. Outcomes were identified through literature reviews, discussions and workshops with invited experts and representatives from various stakeholder groups. Four themes emerged and were discussed with an emphasis on occupant health: (a) the bio-psycho-social aspects of health; (b) interaction between occupants, buildings and indoor environment; (c) climate change and its impact on indoor environment quality, thermal comfort and health; and (d) energy efficiency measures and indoor environment. To advance the relevant research, the indoor environment must be considered a dynamic and complex system with multiple interactions. This calls for a transdisciplinary and holistic approach and effective collaboration with various stakeholders.
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