Ventilation of an indoor swimming pool is a very energy consuming process. This is a result of, among other things the required high value of the ventilation air volume flow rate, calculated on the basis of the moisture gains in the facility. The total energy consumption consists of the heat required to heat this air and the electricity needed to transport it. It is possible to reduce the ventilation air volume flow rate by assuming the correct value of specific humidity of the supply and indoor air, but then a deterioration of thermal-moisture conditions in the building can be expected. The aim of this paper was to examine how the reduction of the supply air volume flow rate affects the energy consumption for indoor swimming pool ventilation. It was also checked how this consumption can be reduced by using two-stage heat recovery in the air handling unit. Multi-variant simulations of energy consumption for indoor swimming pool ventilation were carried out using the IDA ICE software for day and night operation of the swimming pool throughout the year. The results of the research proved that reduction of the supply air volume flow rate resulted in the lower energy expenditure on ventilation. The variant with additional local air supply to the lifeguard zone was also analysed, which caused only a slight increase in energy demand for ventilation.

Air velocity is one of the key parameters affecting the sensation of thermal comfort. In mixing ventilation, the air is most often supplied above the occupied zone, and the air movement in a room is caused by jets that generate recirculating flows. An effective tool for predicting airflow in a room is CFD numerical modeling. In order to reproduce the air velocity distribution, it is essential to select a proper turbulence model. In this paper, seven Eddy–Viscosity RANS turbulence models were used to carry out CFD simulations of a sidewall air jet supplied into a room through a wall diffuser. The goal was to determine which model was the most suitable to adopt in this type of airflow. The CFD results were validated using experimental data by comparing the gross and integral parameters, along with the parameters of the quasi-free jet model. The numerical results obtained for Std k-ε and EVTM models were most consistent with the measurements. Their error values slightly exceeded 15%. On the contrary, the k-ω and RNG k-ε models did not reproduce the quasi-free jet parameters correctly. The research findings can prove beneficial for simulating air distribution in supplied air jets during the initial conceptual phases of HVAC system design.

The paper analyses multi-variant energy simulations carried out in IDA ICE 4.8 software for a newly designed single-family building within the framework of the 4E Idea. This idea assumes the use of energy-saving, ecological, ergonomic, and economic solutions in construction and building operation. Energy simulations were conducted to evaluate the annual energy-saving potential of the developed architectural house concept, which incorporates ergonomic analyses and cost-effective construction solutions. Analyses were conducted to optimise the non-renewable primary energy index by selecting mechanical ventilation system (CAV or VAV) with heat recovery; the configuration of photovoltaic module installation in terms of their location and orientation; the exposure and type of solar thermal collectors (flat and vacuum); and the use of two types of heat pumps (air- and ground-source). The most favourable energy performance of the building was achieved with an HVAC system equipped with a VAV mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery, an on-grid photovoltaic installation, vacuum solar thermal collectors, and a ground-source heat pump with a horizontal heat exchanger. This configuration resulted in a primary energy index value of 2 kWh/m²/year. The results of the analyses carried out for the 4E building concept may serve as a reference point for future energy-efficient building designs aspiring to meet higher standards of sustainable development.

Generating energy from renewable sources is becoming more and more popular and widespread. Air source heat pumps are one of the most popular types of heat pumps due to the general availability of a heat source and relatively low investment costs. The aim of the paper was to investigate the impact of the use of air heat pumps on the improvement of energy efficiency of Silesian Botanical Garden facilities in Poland. Year-round numerical analyses of energy consumption were carried out with the use of IDA ICE software, based on data received from the facility administrator. Different variants of the boiler room configuration including air-to-water heat pumps were analysed. The results showed that implementation of heat pumps led to significant decrease of energy consumption in the building and reduction of values of Primary Energy and CO₂ emission.

The reduction in energy use in buildings remains a major challenge. In the European Union, buildings account for approximately 40% of the total energy consumption, with sports facilities alone responsible for around 10% of annual use. These facilities are characterised by specific indoor environmental requirements, and ice rink arenas, in particular, represent substantial energy consumers due to the demands of ventilation and dehumidification processes. This paper investigates strategies for maintaining adequate air parameters in an ice rink arena, based on an experimentally verified numerical model of the facility. The research focused on: (1) assessing the energy consumption of different ventilation and air distribution system configurations, and (2) evaluating potential reductions achievable through the implementation of recirculation, heat recovery, and various air handling unit (AHU) configurations, while ensuring appropriate thermal and humidity conditions within the arena. Multi-variant simulations of AHU energy consumption were performed in IDA ICE 4.8 software for both day and night operation over the entire ice rink season. The results showed that the choice and operation of AHU configurations significantly influenced energy consumption as well as the thermal–humidity conditions of the facility, with annual savings of up to 67%.