The first Dutch nearly zero energy schools: their indoor air quality

During the last decade different types of sustainable schools were built. However, there is danger that the focus on energy reduction leads to less attention towards the quality of the indoor environment and the thermal comfort as was found out from earlier research. This paper presents recent results of ongoing research towards IAQ of the first series of 6 nearly Zero Energy schools in the Netherlands. To be able to draw conclusions about the IAQ and thermal comfort in these schools during one week the most important parameters related to Indoor Air Quality and thermal comfort were measured and questionnaires were held. It proved that although in most situations the schools did meet most of the performance levels as defined by the design criteria, the perceived IAQ and thermal comfort was not according to the required quality level. So when applying sustainable design strategies for schools especially the aspects related to IAQ should be given more attention to make sure that there will be a comfortable, healthy and optimal learning environment