Optimisation of Building Green Performances Using Vertical Greening Systems: A Case Study in Changzhou, China

Abstract

The benefits of greening systems on buildings have been frequently examined using experimental methods. However, few studies have adopted dynamic monitoring of real operational buildings to quantify the effects of greening systems on multiple building green performance indexes, such as thermal comfort, indoor air quality, and energy consumption. In this study, a type of multi-in-one indoor environmental quality monitoring device was adopted for vertical greening systems in a green-certified building in Changzhou, China, with real-time data collection through an Internet of Things platform. Measurements of the indoor thermal environment and air quality were recorded from four testing points during a 90 day period from spring to summer in 2021. For comparison, the testing points were divided into group A (office zone) and group B (exhibition zone). Our results demonstrated that, in the presence of a vertical greening system, the seasonal average indoor temperatures decreased by up to 0.7 °C. The green facade outperformed the ordinary exterior wall, optimising both indoor thermal comfort and thermal inertia. Furthermore, judicious indoor greening designs significantly reduced the indoor air-pollutant concentrations, such as particulate matter, carbon dioxide, and organic pollutants. The median values for particulate matter 10 and formaldehyde concentration decreased by 20.7% and 33.3%, respectively, thus improving the indoor air quality. Lastly, the annual electricity consumption of the building with vertical greening systems was about 25% lower than that of similar buildings, underlining the potential contribution of vertical greening systems to building energy conservation. Such findings collectively demonstrate that greening systems offer quantifiable benefits for building parameters such as thermal properties, indoor air quality, and energy conservation.

Formaldehyde Removal by Expanded Clay Pellets and Biofilm in Hydroponics of a Green Wall System

“…The mechanisms and effectiveness of air biofiltration in GWS depend on a broad range of factors related to plant species, fertilizers, microbial community structure, air contamination load, airflow rate, environmental conditions (e.g., seasonal variations), and the GWS design [31][32][33][34]. Three groups of factors, i.e., the sorption capacity of ECP, the specific impact of plant species on the biofilm activity/metabolic diversity, and their ability to remove FA, were tested.…”

A Systematic Review of the Vertical Green System for Balancing Ecology and Urbanity

“…Furthermore, in addition to enhancing outdoor thermal condition, previous studies revealed that green roofs and green walls can facilitate to reduce the energy consumption associated with building heating and cooling [44]. In Xiangtan, China, Yang et al [45] evaluated the impacts of vertical greenery and green roofs on the working temperature inside air-conditioned rooms. The results showed that the working temperature of rooms with vertical greenery systems and green roofs was lower than that of rooms without these systems.…”

Implementing green facades: A step towards sustainable smart buildings

“…A study conducted by found that green facades can significantly reduce indoor levels of particulate matter (PM), which can pose serious health risks [31]. Furthermore, research by Yang et al ( 2023) indicated that green facades can reduce indoor concentrations of harmful gases such as nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide [45].…”