An innovative research project has found simple changes to ventilation systems can significantly decrease the transmission of COVID-19 and reduce energy consumption in office buildings.
The City of Melbourne BREATH pilot tested and evaluated three different ventilation systems in a vacant CBD building over three months: displacement ventilation air conditioning, in-ceiling air filters and natural airflow through open windows.
The first-of-its-kind study aims to support the accelerated return of up to 400,000 CBD office workers.
The project found:
- All three ventilation systems reduced the potential transmission of airborne viruses when compared to standard ceiling-based air conditioning, improving safety for office workers.
- Displacement ventilation air conditioning – which supplies air from floor level – was the most effective and energy efficient system tested, reducing COVID-19 transmission by 83 per cent, while also reducing energy consumption by 20 per cent.
- Displacement ventilation is the most expensive to install, but there are no additional ongoing maintenance costs.
- In-ceiling air filters reduced virus transmission by 49 per cent but resulted in a minor increase in energy consumption.
- Opening windows reduced virus transmission by 53 per cent, but increased energy use by up to 20 per cent with seasonal temperature variations.
- Opening windows is not available to all office buildings and is not a viable solution due to Melbourne’s climate.
The BREATH project was led by City of Melbourne and delivered in partnership with Cbus Property, University of Melbourne, AG Coombs, SEED Engineering and Westaflex, with peer review by AURECON.
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