Z E M C H 2 0 1 2 I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o n f e r e n c e
726
When the indoor environmental conditions (indoor air temperature and daily CO
2
levels)
were correlated with statistically significant results, the findings have shown a
direct/positive relation indicating that the warmer space has lack of air ventilation rates
and therefore the CO
2
levels are higher, and reflecting the dilemma of achieving proper
ventilation and indoor thermal comfort. Moreover, the indoor environmental conditions
(indoor air temperature and a random day gas and electric levels of consumption -
22/12/2011) have been correlated with statistically significant results where the findings
have shown the indoor temperature of the living room is not affected by the change of
gas level of consumption, indicating a direct/positive relation. In contrast, even though
the results against electric energy consumption for the same day were shown the indoor
temperature of the living room is not affected by the change of electric level consumption,
it indicated an inverse relation.
The correlation analyses have shown both direct and inverse relations, highlighting the
energy demand is prone to be mostly proportional to indoor air temperature and CO
2
levels - i.e. housing energy demand for space heating increases when the indoor air
temperature and CO
2
levels decrease or vice versa. Furthermore, to complete the
analysis, it would be necessary to carry on with further studies into environmental control
and human behaviour, considering also the Zero Energy Mass Custom Homes (ZEMCH)
research network’s demonstration projects such as the ZEMCH 109 home, and carrying
out the monitoring process after refurbishment to compare the pre and post indoor
environmental conditions and the energy consumption.
Acknowledgement
The authors would like to express their sincere gratitude to CIC Start Online for the
financial support and equally to Dr Branka Dimitrijevic, Director, for her constructive
guidance on the grant application. Also, we would like to thank deeply Mr Norman Smith
and Ms Alison Quinn, NRGStyle Ltd., for the provision of the construction site documents
and the company’s aspirations accompanied by their patient, effective collaboration.
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