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Evaluation of ventilation systems as a cooling strategy in dwellings using a validated TRNSYS model
Ícaro C Vera Alves1, Pedro J Martínez Beltrán2, Javier Molina González2
1University Institute for Engineering Research, Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Avda. de la Universidad s/n, Edificio Innova, Elche, Alicante, 03202, Spain. i.vera@umh.es.
Scientific Reports
|July 17, 2025
Summary
Free cooling utilizes ventilation to reduce building heat when outdoor conditions allow. Combining natural and mechanical ventilation systems ensures indoor air quality while significantly cutting energy use.
Area of Science:
- Building Science
- Sustainable Energy
- Indoor Environmental Quality
Background:
- Free cooling is a passive ventilation strategy to reduce sensible heat loads.
- Residential buildings can implement free cooling naturally or mechanically.
- Maintaining indoor air quality (IAQ) is crucial during ventilation.
Purpose of the Study:
- Assess free cooling applicability with natural vs. mechanical ventilation.
- Integrate free cooling with IAQ and comfort legislative requirements.
- Evaluate combined natural and mechanical ventilation strategies.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an experimentally validated TRNSYS model for 'La Casa de la Tierra'.
- Coupled TRNSYS with a CONTAM natural ventilation model.
- Conducted case studies integrating ventilation systems with regulatory standards.
Main Results:
- Combined natural and mechanical systems offer a superior year-round solution.
- The proposed method ensures IAQ and comfort.
- Achieved up to 46.2% reduction in summer ventilation energy consumption.
- Harnessed 6.3 times more climatic cooling potential.
Conclusions:
- Integrating natural and mechanical free cooling is effective for residential buildings.
- The approach balances energy savings with essential indoor air quality.
- This strategy enhances the utilization of favorable outdoor conditions for cooling.
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