Bygningsklima

Bygningsklima refers to the indoor climate of a building and how it affects the health, comfort, and performance of its occupants. It covers thermal conditions, air quality, humidity, ventilation, acoustics, lighting, and the interaction between occupants and the building's systems. A good bygningsklima requires an integrated approach to design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the building envelope and mechanical systems.

Thermal conditions and humidity are central to bygningsklima. Comfortable temperatures are generally in the mid-20s Celsius for occupied spaces, with relative humidity kept around 30–60 percent. Adequate ventilation brings in outdoor air and controls concentrations of carbon dioxide and other pollutants. Ventilation can be natural, mechanical, or mixed, and increasingly uses heat recovery and demand-controlled strategies to balance comfort and energy use. Indoor air quality also involves particles and volatile organic compounds, which require filtration, source control, and moisture management.

A healthy bygningsklima reduces risks of respiratory symptoms, headaches, fatigue, and mold growth, and supports productivity and well-being. Poor conditions can cause thermal discomfort, drafts, stuffiness, condensation, or mold, with higher maintenance costs and energy use.

Standards and assessment rely on international guidelines. EN 16798-1 and ISO 7730 define indoor environmental parameters and methods for evaluating thermal comfort and air quality. Building certifications may include indoor environmental criteria, and measurements often combine sensor data with occupant feedback.

Design, construction, and operation decisions influence bygningsklima. Early integration of passive design (insulation, airtightness, moisture control) with active systems (ventilation, filtration, cooling) is common. Ongoing monitoring and maintenance, including filter replacement and system balancing, helps sustain a healthy indoor climate and energy-efficient operation. Trends include smarter sensing, demand-controlled ventilation, and performance-based retrofits.