Full-scale performance assessment of an innovative climate system for a classroom environment.

The indoor environmental quality (IEQ) of buildings affects health, productivity and wellbeing of its occupants. Simultaneously, energy consumption remains an issue of concern. IEQ in school buildings is critical, due to the high occupant density and influence of IEQ on student academic performance. In this research, the performance of an innovative system, combining ventilation and floor cooling/heating, is investigated through full-scale measurements in a mock-up and in a real classroom. Ventilation efficiency is assessed using the step-down tracer gas method. Thermal comfort focuses on local (non-uniform) thermal discomfort as this is most critical in a densely populated classroom. With increasing flow rates, the ventilation efficiency assessment shows a transition from displacement ventilation to mixing ventilation, and therefore reduced efficiency. Additionally, high flow rates can cause draught problems near supply grilles.