The Impact of Plants on Indoor Air Quality, Energy Use, and Psychological Status of Occupants

Plants may have several impacts, which can be categorized into indoor air quality, energy use, and psychological effects. This thesis presented a comprehensive review of the impact of indoor plants in these categories. Indoor plants can emit a negligible amount of VOCs and microorganisms to the indoors but also have limited ability to remove pollutants. In addition, greenery systems are exterior to the building enclosure, resulting in a reduction of external surface temperature and heat transfer, particularly in certain climates. Interaction with indoor plants can also deliver measurable psychological benefits to people despite the confounding variables and other experimental design issues. In conclusion, indoor plants have limited effect on indoor air quality, external plants have a possible impact on saving energy, and indoor plants can influence psychological status when placed on the level of vision. Plants cannot be treated as a system, and other alternatives can provide promising solutions.M.Sc