Measured indoor hygrothermal conditions and occupancy levels in an arctic Swedish multi-family building

Abstract

As requirements regarding energy efficiency are getting tougher, buildings in the arctic, as well as the rest of the world, need to be more energy efficient without compromising a good indoor climate. This article presents measured moisture supply and occupancy level in a Swedish arctic multi-family apartment block. Measurements were done over 1 year every 30 minutes in a building consisting of 51 apartments located in Kiruna, at latitude 67.9°. Averages and typical variations on different timescales, year and day, are presented for the different parameters, as well as correlations between the parameters; for example, moisture supply as a function of occupancy level. The results can be used when input data for simulations of energy use, moisture conditions and indoor climate are chosen, as well as a reference to compare measurements to during verifications. In energy efficient buildings, occupant behavior generally has an extensive impact on building performance, which means that the characteristics of behavior related parameters are important to be able to describe.