Realization of good indoor climate in low-energy office

Good indoor air quality and thermal comfort, as well as low energy consumption were achieved in an environment friendly experimental METOP-office building in Espoo, Finland. The consumption of heating and cooling energy was minimized by installation of energy-efficient windows, good CFC-free thermal insulation of the building envelope, the individually-controlled ventilation and room temperatures, heat recovery and energy-storing structures. According to the study carried out in 1990–1993, the heating energy was 13 kWh/m3, 60% lower than the average consumption. The index of the satisfaction of thermal comfort was over 90%. Concentrations of all the measured indoor air pollutants were low. Ventilation rates could be chosen in each office room from 10 to 40 dm3/s. The noise level of the ventilation system was low and the lighting level was pleasant.