From simulation to monitoring: Evaluating the potential of mixed-mode ventilation (MMV) systems for integrating natural ventilation in office buildings through a comprehensive literature review

Abstract

The energy required to maintain comfortable indoor environmental conditions is a significant percentage (35%) of the overall energy consumption in office buildings. In the modern-day realization of climate change and global warming potential, the reduction of energy consumption in office buildings (particularly energy consumed using cooling and mechanical ventilation systems) and maintaining indoor environmental conditions, is an essential design requirement particularly for buildings located in hot, arid climates. The mixed-mode ventilation (MMV) strategies have been effectively used in the past for saving energy as well as maintaining indoor air quality for the occupants by sustaining adequate indoor environmental conditions. It has been found that mixed-mode buildings have the potential to save 40% HVAC energy by optimizing window operation schedules, and up to 75% by alternating natural and mechanical ventilation. However, to successfully optimize these strategies, it is imperative to understand what factors affect the performance of mixed-mode buildings in terms of energy savings and comfort of the occupants. A comprehensive literature review was conducted covering the past two decades (1996–2016) to analyze the use of MMV systems in office buildings. The study provides the reader with an impression of which practical objectives have been pursued, what progress has been made in the past two decades, and what the future challenges are for using MMV systems in office buildings.