Analysis of the relevant technical characteristics in indoor comfort terminal units for the purpose of satisfying the demanding energy, functional, hygienic and sustainability requirements of NZEB and ZEB buildings

Managing Director of Studio GANDINI S.R.L. the Italian independent consulting company specialized in sustainable HVAC & decarbonization of Buildings

Abstract

With a growing number of countries, cities and organizations committing to a carbon neutral society by the middle of this century, zero and nearly zero energy buildings (NZEB & ZEB) and nearly zero carbon emissions buildings (NZCB) are becoming the new standard. These buildings with high energy efficiency and low carbon footprint, together with numerous advantages, lead to the materialization of new needs that have a significant impact on the comfort terminals units located in the various indoor environments. In fact, we are witnessing a growing concern for the phenomena of overheating and in general we are already starting to notice that air conditioning and dehumidification systems, in most cases, must be started already in spring and used until late autumn. Heating, on the other hand, becomes less relevant in quantitative terms, thanks to the greater degree of insulation of the building envelope, but thermal inertia can become a problem. In these new conditions, dictated by constructions with a high energy efficiency criterion, it is becoming strategic to have a new generation of indoor comfort terminals units available that take into account the stringent energy, functional, hygienic and sustainability requirements of decarbonized buildings. In this context, present paper focuses on the analysis of what the relevant technical characteristics could be in indoor comfort terminal units to meet the requirements of NZEB and ZEB in the coming decades.