Risk of Fungal Growth in Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (nZEB)
Research on nearly zero-energy buildings has addressed mainly the aspects of energy saving or technical and economic optimization, while some studies have been conducted on comfort and indoor air quality. However, the potential problems that may arise in low-energy buildings during the operational p...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-06-01
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| Series: | Buildings |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/13/7/1600 |
| _version_ | 1827733640192196608 |
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| author | Cristina Carpino Evangelia Loukou Miguel Chen Austin Birgitte Andersen Dafni Mora Natale Arcuri |
| author_facet | Cristina Carpino Evangelia Loukou Miguel Chen Austin Birgitte Andersen Dafni Mora Natale Arcuri |
| author_sort | Cristina Carpino |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Research on nearly zero-energy buildings has addressed mainly the aspects of energy saving or technical and economic optimization, while some studies have been conducted on comfort and indoor air quality. However, the potential problems that may arise in low-energy buildings during the operational phase, and especially the risk of fungal growth, which can deteriorate the indoor environment and pose a health risk to the occupants, are yet to be extensively investigated. The present work intends to analyze previous research on microbial contamination in zero-energy buildings in order to identify the possible risks that may lead to fungal formation and the possible strategies to prevent the proliferation of molds. The methodology is based on a systematic literature review and subsequent critical analysis to outline perspectives on this topic. The main results indicate that high envelope insulation and inadequate ventilation are the leading causes of fungal growth in energy-efficient buildings. The need for more detailed regulation in this area is also highlighted. The study’s outcomes underline the need for more attention to be paid to the design and management of zero-energy buildings, aiming to achieve the reduction in energy demands while ensuring the occupants’ well-being. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T01:15:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e0fbbf4644b34264b0e17361c27ca738 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-5309 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T01:15:02Z |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Buildings |
| spelling | doaj.art-e0fbbf4644b34264b0e17361c27ca7382023-11-18T18:36:05ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092023-06-01137160010.3390/buildings13071600Risk of Fungal Growth in Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (nZEB)Cristina Carpino0Evangelia Loukou1Miguel Chen Austin2Birgitte Andersen3Dafni Mora4Natale Arcuri5Department of Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering, University of Calabria, Via Pietro Bucci 46C, 87036 Cosenza, ItalyDepartment of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, A.C. Meyers Vænge 15, A, 1-348, 2450 Copenhagen, DenmarkFaculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá, Panama City 0819-07289, PanamaDepartment of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, A.C. Meyers Vænge 15, A, 1-348, 2450 Copenhagen, DenmarkFaculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá, Panama City 0819-07289, PanamaDepartment of Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering, University of Calabria, Via Pietro Bucci 46C, 87036 Cosenza, ItalyResearch on nearly zero-energy buildings has addressed mainly the aspects of energy saving or technical and economic optimization, while some studies have been conducted on comfort and indoor air quality. However, the potential problems that may arise in low-energy buildings during the operational phase, and especially the risk of fungal growth, which can deteriorate the indoor environment and pose a health risk to the occupants, are yet to be extensively investigated. The present work intends to analyze previous research on microbial contamination in zero-energy buildings in order to identify the possible risks that may lead to fungal formation and the possible strategies to prevent the proliferation of molds. The methodology is based on a systematic literature review and subsequent critical analysis to outline perspectives on this topic. The main results indicate that high envelope insulation and inadequate ventilation are the leading causes of fungal growth in energy-efficient buildings. The need for more detailed regulation in this area is also highlighted. The study’s outcomes underline the need for more attention to be paid to the design and management of zero-energy buildings, aiming to achieve the reduction in energy demands while ensuring the occupants’ well-being.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/13/7/1600nearly zero-energy buildings (nZEBs)fungal growthmold riskindoor air qualitymicrobial contaminationmechanical ventilation systems |
| spellingShingle | Cristina Carpino Evangelia Loukou Miguel Chen Austin Birgitte Andersen Dafni Mora Natale Arcuri Risk of Fungal Growth in Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (nZEB) Buildings nearly zero-energy buildings (nZEBs) fungal growth mold risk indoor air quality microbial contamination mechanical ventilation systems |
| title | Risk of Fungal Growth in Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (nZEB) |
| title_full | Risk of Fungal Growth in Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (nZEB) |
| title_fullStr | Risk of Fungal Growth in Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (nZEB) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Risk of Fungal Growth in Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (nZEB) |
| title_short | Risk of Fungal Growth in Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (nZEB) |
| title_sort | risk of fungal growth in nearly zero energy buildings nzeb |
| topic | nearly zero-energy buildings (nZEBs) fungal growth mold risk indoor air quality microbial contamination mechanical ventilation systems |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/13/7/1600 |
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