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The paper presents a study on existing building stock energy consumption for the country of Latvia and researches the renovation potential of multi-storey apartment buildings and its influence on indoor air quality. The study analyses IAQ parameters and the energy consumption in renovated and non-renovated buildings and presents practical examples of Latvian and Estonian case studies as well. The possible reduction of energy consumption after thermal insulation of apartment buildings and renovation of ventilation systems has been estimated at the state level. Different insulation scenarios and efficiencies of various types of ventilation systems have been evaluated [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a case study of the heat recovery of air handling units with heat exchangers for residential application in Latvia. The paper will be summarizing the measurements of configuration for air handling units with air-to-air heat exchangers. The research carried out analytical studies analyzing an optimum variant of the energy savings with regard to different type of the air-to-air heat exchangers and their technical performances. The results show that basic methods of air handling unit's optimization should be encouraged due to the potential of energy savings in Latvia's residential area. Reduction of consumption of energy, improvement of energy efficiency and optimization of air handling units for the residential area are important issues to address the improvement of indoor air quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Latvian children under the age of 7 can spend up to 60 hours per week in daycare centers and therefore it is very important to establish a healthy and comfortable daycare environment that children will find pleasant and stimulating to stay in. This study investigates the indoor air quality and thermal comfort within six daycare centers (old, renovated and new-built) in moderate climate zone of Latvia. The measurements of carbon dioxide, air temperature and relative humidity were carried out, and the data regarding daycare center characteristics and maintenance activities were collected via combination of field visits, record analysis and interviews. It was found that the carbon dioxide concentrations exceeded 1000 ppm in 75% of the daycare centers studied, with the highest (1356 ppm) measured in a renovated facility with the natural ventilation system. Thus, installation of a more efficient ventilation system (mechanical) is recommended to provide acceptable indoor air quality, since opening of windows itself cannot provide the optimal conditions indoors. In all facilities the temperature was kept above 20°C and the average relative humidity was 40 ± 5%, creating comfortable thermal environment for children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present an ongoing project which aims at monitoring IAQ in multi-apartment buildings (MABs) before and after renovation. We collected measures of indoor air microclimate parameters in 6 apartments of 3 MABs of standard construction buildings (type 464) in Riga, during the heating season of 2010/2011. In 3 apartments of one renovated building and in 3 apartments of two unrenovated buildings (on the first, middle and top floor), sensors of air temperature, relative humidity, CO2 concentration level, and air flow velocity are located to find the average value of IAQ parameters, and to make calculations of indoor air exchange in each apartment. At the same time, the outdoor air temperature and relative humidity are measured. The measurements are made every minute, and the paper presents the data for duration of several months. In general, the results show that the ventilation system must be updated in all apartments. The thermal energy for heating is reduced by about 50% in renovated MAB. The heat energy consumption in different apartments of the renovated building and temperature measures in all the project apartments demonstrate the necessity to change the heat consumption according to individual financial possibilities and comfort demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]