Thermal and hygienic comfort in schools

The optimal adjustment of the air-conditioning temperature in buildings is, in general, the low-cost measure with the greatest potential for energy savings. This is why it is necessary to avoid unnecessary consumption when the classroom doors are closed to avoid being overheated. This is the main objective pursued by this project, which began in October 2022 at the Andorran School of Secondary Education in Ordino (EASEO).

This project is in line with decree 365/2022, on energy saving measures of the General Administration, which establishes that the temperature of air conditioning in public buildings cannot be higher than 20ºC during the winter months. In this sense, the project quantifies the impact of this measure and studies whether, in some specific cases, it is even possible to go further and regulate the temperature below that established by the decree, always maintaining thermal and hygienic comfort in the classrooms.

The heating adjustments made at the EASEO during the 2022-2023 school year resulted in an estimated reduction in the use of heating oil of 7919 litres (equivalent to a 25% saving compared to the previous school year), corresponding to an approximate cost of 9492 € and a reduction in emissions of 20.6 tCO₂eq. [1].

[1] AR+I, "Monitorització del confort tèrmic i higiènic a l’EASEO (curs 2022-2023)," 2023