Improvement of energy efficiency: the use of thermography and air-tightness test in verification of thermal performance of school buildings

Abstract

The improvement of energy efficiency is the key issue after the energy performance of buildings directive came into the force in European Union countries. The city of Kuopio participate a project, in which different tools will be used, generated and tested to improve the energy efficiency of public buildings. In this project there are 2 schools, the other consuming much more heating energy than the other same type of school. In this paper the results of the thermography in normal conditions and under 50 Pa pressure drop will be presented; as well as the results of remote controlled air tightness test of the buildings. Thermography combined with air tightness test showed clearly the reasons of specific consumption differences of heating energy -also in the other hand, the measurements showed the problems in the performance of ventilation system. Thermography, air tightness test and other supporting measurements can be used together to solve energy loss problems -if these measurements will be carried out by proper way

Impact of Air Tightness on the Evaluation of Building Energy Performance in Lithuania

“…The more cold air that enters a building, the higher the energy consumption required for heating it is [20]. Therefore, the energy consumption for heating, calculated according to the energy efficiency methodology, is not accurate [21,22].…”

Diagnostics and Problems Analysis of Buildings Air Tightness

“…Air moves from the higher to the lower pressure zone, i. e. cold outside air penetrates to the room through the lower parts of the walls, and finally when it warms up, it goes out of the premises through the upper parts of the construction. Leakage of the building negatively affects humans' well-being: air movement is felt during the cold season because of the large temperature difference between the envelope surface and the indoor air temperature; and blow of cold air is felt, which requires more heating energy (Kauppinen and Siikanen, 2011).…”