Comparison of Indoor Environment and Energy Consumption before and after Spread of COVID-19 in Schools in Japanese Cold-Climate Region

Taro Mori, Taisei Akamatsu, Kouhei Kuwabara and Motoya Hayashi
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Taro Mori: Graduate School of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Kitaku-Kita13Nishi8, Sapporo 060-8628, Japan
Taisei Akamatsu: Graduate School of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Kitaku-Kita13Nishi8, Sapporo 060-8628, Japan
Kouhei Kuwabara: Graduate School of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Kitaku-Kita13Nishi8, Sapporo 060-8628, Japan
Motoya Hayashi: Graduate School of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Kitaku-Kita13Nishi8, Sapporo 060-8628, Japan

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 5, 1-16

Abstract: A report released by the WHO indicates that aerosols from infected people are one of the major sources of the spread of COVID-19. Therefore, as the COVID-19 infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus spreads, it has become necessary to reconsider the design and operation of buildings. Inside school buildings in cold regions, not only is it not easy to increase ventilation during the winter, but it may also be difficult for students to attend classes while wearing masks during the summer because such buildings are not equipped with air-conditioning systems. In short, school buildings in cold climates have more problems than those in warm climates. We report on the results of indoor environmental measurement using our developed CO 2 -concentration meters, a questionnaire survey on students’ feeling of being hot or cold (i.e., ‘thermal sensation’), and a comparison of energy consumption before and after the spread of COVID-19 infection in schools in Sapporo, Japan, a cold-climate area. The results indicate that (1) more than 70% of the students participated in window ventilation by the CO 2 meter, and (2) a relatively good indoor environment was maintained through the efforts of teachers and students. However, we also found that (1) 90% of the students felt hot in summer and (2) 40% felt cold in winter, (3) energy efficiency worsened by 7% due to increased ventilation, and (4) air quality was not as clean as desired during the coldest months of the year. Therefore, investment in insulation and air conditioning systems for school buildings is needed.

Keywords: COVID-19; ventilation; thermal sensation; heating energy consumption; primary energy consumption (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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