Fjärrventilation

Fjärrventilation, or district ventilation, is a centralized system for supplying ventilation air to multiple buildings from a common energy center. It typically consists of a central air handling plant, large supply and exhaust air duct networks, filtration, energy recovery devices, and a control system coordinating airflow and air quality across connected buildings. The system may operate alongside district energy networks and uses pre-conditioned air distributed over the network.

In operation, the energy center conditions air to a target temperature and humidity; supply air is distributed to participating buildings via the network; return air and exhaust are collected at the energy center. Building sensors and automated controls adjust airflow to demand, while heat recovery devices reclaim energy from exhaust. The system requires careful balancing of ducts and ongoing maintenance.

Benefits include potential energy efficiency from scale, centralized filtration, uniform indoor air quality, and easier integration with other energy systems. It can reduce the need for individual building ventilation equipment, noise, and maintenance. Drawbacks include high upfront capital costs, reliance on central plant reliability, potential longer distribution paths, and cross-building contamination risk if not properly designed and controlled.

Applications are common in large campuses, housing complexes, hospitals, and government facilities where multiple buildings are located in proximity and centralized management of ventilation and energy use is desirable.

Regulatory and standards considerations include compliance with national and local building codes and ventilation standards, energy performance requirements, and indoor air quality guidelines. Implementation typically requires detailed design, commissioning, and ongoing operation and maintenance.