Key figures for joint assessment of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and energy consumption in modern buildings – a literature review

Energy efficiency in buildings should not be reached on the expense of indoor environmental quality (IEQ). This statement is often used in connection to design and certification of sustainable buildings. The fact that it is also valid during the actual operation seems to be often forgotten. Nodaway’s energy management and operational diagnostics focus mostly on energy consumption. Consequently also present key figures comprise performance indicators related to energy use. The fact that modern buildings are not spared from IEQ related problems indicates that there is a need for joint assessment of energy and IEQ performance. The aim of this paper was to review relevant literature to form a scientific background for development of key figures enabling the joint assessment of energy and IEQ. The review resulted in forty cited publications. Majority of them focused explicitly on energy performance and indoor environment was mentioned only marginally or was not mentioned at all. We can also conclude that energy related key figures are well established and used for standard energy management as well as in different optimization algorithms involving analysis of measurements and calibrated simulations. One publication was identified that integrates thermal comfort into broader matrix of key figures. Methods for long-term evaluation of IEQ indicators suggested by standard EN 15251 seems to be usable for determination of key figures for joint assessment. Further research is needed to determine and test key figures that would directly combine performance indicators related to both energy use and IEQ.