Survey of occupant behaviour, energy use and indoor air quality in Greenlandic dwellings

In cold arctic regions people usually spend over 70% of their time indoors. The effect of poor indoor air quality on occupants’ health and comfort is therefore considerable.
Dwellings in Greenland consume very large amounts of energy (in average over 370 kWh/year per m2) and in addition, they provide their occupants with poor indoor air quality. A questionnaire survey was performed in the town of Sisimiut-Greenland, which with its location and population represents Greenlandic conditions quite well. The aim of the survey was to investigate the energy consumption and indoor air quality in arctic dwellings and to study the influence of occupant behaviour of people living in arctic climates on energy consumption and indoor air quality. The results have shown that the average electricity consumption is 20% higher than in DK, ventilation systems are insufficient and that the inhabitants often experience cold discomfort in their homes due to their window opening behaviour (to compensate the lack of ventilation) and the age and deficient construction of the buildings.
On the basis of the survey responses, some 80 dwellings were selected for further investigation. Physical measurements of the indoor air quality and observations of occupant behaviour will be performed in the selected dwellings.