Why Are Naturally Ventilated Office Spaces Not Popular in New Zealand?

Abstract

Abstract:In this paper, we investigated the reason(s) why natural ventilation is not as popular as air-conditioned or mixed-mode ventilation systems in Green-rated office buildings in New Zealand. To achieve this, we had three objectives. Firstly, we reviewed the Green Star criteria for thermal comfort in office buildings to ascertain which ventilation system the NZ Green Star rating tool promotes. Secondly, we ascertained the perception of occupants in office buildings regarding thermal comfort. This was followed by an interview with building experts regarding factors that affect the use of natural ventilation in New Zealand offices. The findings showed that the NZ Green Star thermal comfort criteria encourage the use of mechanical ventilation over natural ventilation which results in designers opting for air conditioning systems in office designs. We observed that occupants of naturally ventilated spaces were least satisfied with the thermal comfort of their offices when compared with occupants of mixed-mode and air-conditioned offices. This study fulfils the need to encourage the use of natural ventilation in office environments by designers and building owners. Further study on other aspects of the indoor environment quality that is related to naturally ventilated systems such as lighting and noise is required in a bid to ascertain its viability in office environments.

Can a naturally ventilated office outperform a mixed mode office? Pilot study on occupants' comfort

“…Based on the findings of Rasheed et al, (2017) that occupants have less sick leaves in naturally ventilated office spaces, the study reported in this paper is a step towards exploring the possibility of achieving environmental sustainability without sacrificing occupants' comfort in naturally ventilated buildings. It aims at identifying perceived comfort differences across a range of variables such as lighting, noise and temperature between naturally ventilation and mixed-mode ventilation systems.…”

“…Mixed-mode buildings have been reported to provide better environmental comfort and occupant satisfaction than naturally ventilated buildings (Brager & Baker, 2009;Alessi et al, 2014, Rasheed et al, 2017. The basic benefit of mixed-mode ventilation over natural ventilation is the maintenance a satisfactory indoor environment by alternating between and combining natural and mechanical systems (air-conditioners) to avoid the cost, energy penalty and consequential environmental effects of full year-round air conditioning (Brager, 2006).…”

“…Despite the potential to achieve net-zero energy indoor environments, naturally ventilated office spaces are often not the preferred ventilation option amongst designers for office spaces. For instance in New Zealand, they have been shown to be unpopular when compared with mixed mode and air-conditioned buildings (Rasheed et al, 2017;Byrd, 2012). Buildings within Auckland, New Zealand are likely to obtain air conditioning systems of some sort to achieve the required occupants' comfort (Russell and Ingham, 2010).…”

“…Buildings within Auckland, New Zealand are likely to obtain air conditioning systems of some sort to achieve the required occupants' comfort (Russell and Ingham, 2010). A study carried out by Rasheed et al, (2017) showed that even though they took less sick leaves per year, office workers in New Zealand, preferred working in Mixed-mode office buildings to naturally ventilated office buildings.As such, this paper investigates whether naturally ventilated office spaces can provide more comfort than mixed mode ventilated office spaces. Based on the findings of Rasheed et al, (2017) that occupants have less sick leaves in naturally ventilated office spaces, the study reported in this paper is a step towards exploring the possibility of achieving environmental sustainability without sacrificing occupants' comfort in naturally ventilated buildings.…”

“…A study carried out by Rasheed et al, (2017) showed that even though they took less sick leaves per year, office workers in New Zealand, preferred working in Mixed-mode office buildings to naturally ventilated office buildings.…”