Minska energi och effekt i ventilationssystemen på skolor : En fältstudie i Uppsalas skolors energiförbrukning i samarbete med Skolfastigheter

Ventilation systems contribute to approximately 30% of the total energy consumption in schools in Uppsala. As sustainability goals and energy efficiency demands increase, there is a clear need for smart solutions that reduce energy usage without compromising indoor air quality (IAQ). This study focuses on how the energy consumption in school ventilation system can be reduced through demand control ventilation (DCV), supported by carbon dioxide sensors, person counting sensors and occupancy detection. A field study was conducted in a common classroom type at Katedralskolan in Uppsala, Sweden. Data from the school´s ventilation system were collected and used as a baseline for simulating in Python. These simulations dynamically adjusted the airflow based on -levels and number of people in the classroom. The results show that switching from constant air volume CAV-system to a DCV-system could lead to energy savings between 20% and 80%. On average this corresponds to around 250 kWh saved annually per classroom of similar type. The simulation showed that IAQ remained within the regulations. Additional benefits include improved thermal comfort by avoiding over-ventilation and reduced power peaks. In conclusion, implementing DCV using existing sensors along with a new person counter sensor present a cost-effective and scalable solution for improving energy efficiency in school buildings while maintaining and even improving IAQ.