Energy efficiency versus indoor environmental quality in different Romanian countryside schools

The current research study, aims to couple the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in countryside schools with energy efficiency. A detailed investigation took place on three different types of rural schools (old, new, and renovated) conveniently located for comparison purposes within a radius of 2.5 km from each other. The IEQ assessment covered the period autumn 2013-spring 2014 and included both long term measurements and spot recordings. In terms of indoor air quality all three buildings performed poorly, registering average CO2 concentrations in excess of 2000-3000 ppm and even approaching the health hazard level of 5000 ppm. Based on these concentrations, the corresponding ventilation rates have been calculated at 2.4 L/s/person (renovated school), 2.25 L/s/person (new school) and 0.7 L/s/person (old school). The IEQ index was calculated using the experimental data allowing the three analyzed schools to be better rated. The new and renovated buildings rank class C on the IEQ index scale and class A from an energy consumption standpoint, whereas the old building is rated D class (IEQ) and C class (energy efficiency). This shows that high energy consumption, as is the case for the old school, does not necessarily result in better comfort conditions despite their inverse correlation.