Mechanical Ventilation Strategies in Buildings: A Comprehensive Review of Climate Management, Indoor Air Quality, and Energy Efficiency
As the demand for energy-efficient homes continues to rise, the importance of advanced mechanical ventilation systems in maintaining indoor air quality (IAQ) has become increasingly evident. However, challenges related to energy balance, IAQ, and occupant thermal comfort persist. This review examine...
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Buildings |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/14/2579 |
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| author | Farhan Lafta Rashid Mudhar A. Al-Obaidi Najah M. L. Al Maimuri Arman Ameen Ephraim Bonah Agyekum Atef Chibani Mohamed Kezzar |
| author_facet | Farhan Lafta Rashid Mudhar A. Al-Obaidi Najah M. L. Al Maimuri Arman Ameen Ephraim Bonah Agyekum Atef Chibani Mohamed Kezzar |
| author_sort | Farhan Lafta Rashid |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | As the demand for energy-efficient homes continues to rise, the importance of advanced mechanical ventilation systems in maintaining indoor air quality (IAQ) has become increasingly evident. However, challenges related to energy balance, IAQ, and occupant thermal comfort persist. This review examines the performance of mechanical ventilation systems in regulating indoor climate, improving air quality, and minimising energy consumption. The findings indicate that demand-controlled ventilation (DCV) can enhance energy efficiency by up to 88% while maintaining CO<sub>2</sub> concentrations below 1000 ppm during 76% of the occupancy period. Heat recovery systems achieve efficiencies of nearly 90%, leading to a reduction in heating energy consumption by approximately 19%. Studies also show that employing mechanical rather than natural ventilation in schools lowers CO<sub>2</sub> levels by 20–30%. Nevertheless, occupant misuse or poorly designed systems can result in CO<sub>2</sub> concentrations exceeding 1600 ppm in residential environments. Hybrid ventilation systems have demonstrated improved thermal comfort, with predicted mean vote (PMV) values ranging from –0.41 to 0.37 when radiant heating is utilized. Despite ongoing technological advancements, issues such as system durability, user acceptance, and adaptability across climate zones remain. Smart, personalized ventilation strategies supported by modern control algorithms and continuous monitoring are essential for the development of resilient and health-promoting buildings. Future research should prioritize the integration of renewable energy sources and adaptive ventilation controls to further optimise system performance. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a96f7041c8b347eca67e065637d5b51e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2075-5309 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Buildings |
| spelling | doaj-art-a96f7041c8b347eca67e065637d5b51e2025-08-20T03:58:30ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-07-011514257910.3390/buildings15142579Mechanical Ventilation Strategies in Buildings: A Comprehensive Review of Climate Management, Indoor Air Quality, and Energy EfficiencyFarhan Lafta Rashid0Mudhar A. Al-Obaidi1Najah M. L. Al Maimuri2Arman Ameen3Ephraim Bonah Agyekum4Atef Chibani5Mohamed Kezzar6Petroleum Engineering Department, College of Engineering, University of Kerbala, Karbala 56001, IraqTechnical Instructor Training Institute, Middle Technical University, Baghdad 10074, IraqBuilding and Construction Techniques Engineering Department, College of Engineering and Engineering Techniques, Al-Mustaqbal University, Hillah, Babylon 51001, IraqDepartment of Building Engineering, Energy Systems and Sustainability Science, University of Gävle, 801 76 Gävle, SwedenDepartment of Nuclear and Renewable Energy, Ural Federal University Named after the First President of Russia, Boris Yeltsin, 19 Mira Street, 620002 Ekaterinburg, RussiaResearch Center in Industrial Technologies CRTI, Cheraga, P.O. Box 64, Algiers 16014, AlgeriaMaterials and Energy Engineering Laboratory (LMGE), Technology Department, Faculty of Technology, 20 Aout 1955, University of Skikda, P.O. Box 26, Skikda 21000, AlgeriaAs the demand for energy-efficient homes continues to rise, the importance of advanced mechanical ventilation systems in maintaining indoor air quality (IAQ) has become increasingly evident. However, challenges related to energy balance, IAQ, and occupant thermal comfort persist. This review examines the performance of mechanical ventilation systems in regulating indoor climate, improving air quality, and minimising energy consumption. The findings indicate that demand-controlled ventilation (DCV) can enhance energy efficiency by up to 88% while maintaining CO<sub>2</sub> concentrations below 1000 ppm during 76% of the occupancy period. Heat recovery systems achieve efficiencies of nearly 90%, leading to a reduction in heating energy consumption by approximately 19%. Studies also show that employing mechanical rather than natural ventilation in schools lowers CO<sub>2</sub> levels by 20–30%. Nevertheless, occupant misuse or poorly designed systems can result in CO<sub>2</sub> concentrations exceeding 1600 ppm in residential environments. Hybrid ventilation systems have demonstrated improved thermal comfort, with predicted mean vote (PMV) values ranging from –0.41 to 0.37 when radiant heating is utilized. Despite ongoing technological advancements, issues such as system durability, user acceptance, and adaptability across climate zones remain. Smart, personalized ventilation strategies supported by modern control algorithms and continuous monitoring are essential for the development of resilient and health-promoting buildings. Future research should prioritize the integration of renewable energy sources and adaptive ventilation controls to further optimise system performance.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/14/2579buildingsmechanical ventilationclimate managementventilation systemsreview |
| spellingShingle | Farhan Lafta Rashid Mudhar A. Al-Obaidi Najah M. L. Al Maimuri Arman Ameen Ephraim Bonah Agyekum Atef Chibani Mohamed Kezzar Mechanical Ventilation Strategies in Buildings: A Comprehensive Review of Climate Management, Indoor Air Quality, and Energy Efficiency Buildings buildings mechanical ventilation climate management ventilation systems review |
| title | Mechanical Ventilation Strategies in Buildings: A Comprehensive Review of Climate Management, Indoor Air Quality, and Energy Efficiency |
| title_full | Mechanical Ventilation Strategies in Buildings: A Comprehensive Review of Climate Management, Indoor Air Quality, and Energy Efficiency |
| title_fullStr | Mechanical Ventilation Strategies in Buildings: A Comprehensive Review of Climate Management, Indoor Air Quality, and Energy Efficiency |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mechanical Ventilation Strategies in Buildings: A Comprehensive Review of Climate Management, Indoor Air Quality, and Energy Efficiency |
| title_short | Mechanical Ventilation Strategies in Buildings: A Comprehensive Review of Climate Management, Indoor Air Quality, and Energy Efficiency |
| title_sort | mechanical ventilation strategies in buildings a comprehensive review of climate management indoor air quality and energy efficiency |
| topic | buildings mechanical ventilation climate management ventilation systems review |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/14/2579 |
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