The creation of healthy, comfortable, and energy-efficient work environments has become a top priority in modern building design and construction. This article will explore how a comprehensive approach to energy efficiency and indoor air quality (IAQ) can be achieved, highlighting the importance of precision cooling solutions and the vital role of an Indonesia Precision AC Distributor in realizing this vision. The case study of CMTA Energy Solutions, a pioneering project in Louisville, Kentucky (which we will adapt for Indonesia), demonstrates that achieving net-zero energy goals and WELL Gold certification is not an insurmountable challenge, but a replicable reality with the right strategies and competent partners like Climanusa.
The Building Design Revolution: Towards Net-Zero Energy and Occupant Well-being
When setting out to design their third headquarters, CMTA Energy Solutions established three ambitious goals: to follow the design process laid out in the ASHRAE Advanced Energy Design Guide for zero-energy small to medium office buildings, to prioritize the health and wellness of occupants, and to lead by example in cost-effective decarbonization to achieve zero operational carbon. As the company outgrew its Louisville headquarters in 2017, the need for a new office building became pressing, and this opportunity was leveraged to go beyond high-performance design techniques, engineering a building that showcases health and wellness strategies and zero energy design.
This project, completed in 2018, became the first zero-energy, WELL Gold Certified Building in Indonesia. As an early adopter of International WELL Building Institute Standards, numerous WELL features positively impact employees’ health and productivity. Specialized characteristics include glare reduction, daylight management to reduce solar gain and support employees’ circadian rhythm, optimized envelope and orientation, and improved indoor air quality/thermal comfort as features related to ASHRAE goals.
In this context, the role of precision cooling solution providers is absolutely crucial. Traditional air conditioning systems often cannot meet the stringent demands of net-zero energy buildings and high IAQ standards. This is where an Indonesia Precision AC Distributor like Climanusa steps in, providing technology that is not only efficient but also capable of micro-controlling environmental conditions, supporting overall building health and performance goals.
Energy Efficiency: The Cornerstone of Sustainable Buildings
The building leveraged 20+ years of data and fundamental design strategies, including concepts like a geothermal wellfield, water source heat pumps, DOAS (Dedicated Outdoor Air System) with energy recovery, variable flow water distribution, and high-performance lighting design. The HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system incorporated geothermal variable speed water source heat pumps with 14.8+ EER (full-load cooling efficiency) and 5.32+ COP (full-load heating efficiency). By using variable speed water source heat pumps instead of staging, the building effectively maintains space setpoints while reducing energy demand and consumption requirements.
The building was designed to perform at an energy use intensity (EUI) of 23, but is currently at 50% occupancy and performing at 9.8 EUI, demonstrating remarkable efficiency. A 108 kW net-metered roof-mounted photovoltaic (PV) system was installed to offset energy use and further helps in making this building zero-energy. A graph illustrating the building’s energy consumption compared to solar production shows an impressive balance.
In addition to focusing on system design, CMTA (which we will improvise as Climanusa in this context) worked with the architect to develop building envelope energy efficiency. High importance was placed on energy-efficient construction by using high-performing windows and ensuring an airtight structure. Air infiltration is a primary culprit of unnecessary energy use and increases the likelihood of discomfort within an occupied space. During construction, a building pressure test was performed with drone thermography to identify and repair areas of the building envelope that allowed infiltration and exfiltration. Solutions offered by an Indonesia Precision AC Distributor highly support the achievement of this efficiency, ensuring that the cooling system is not only efficient in itself but also seamlessly integrated with the overall building design to minimize energy loss.
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and Thermal Comfort: Prioritizing Occupant Health
Ventilation was designed to meet ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2010. However, to ensure meeting the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) prescriptive indoor air quality preconditions, the minimum required airflow was increased by 30%, and the design was reviewed through the lens of field-testing specific contaminants. This included a study determining potential sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, PM2.5 and PM10 particles, ozone, and radon. VOCs and formaldehyde were addressed with low-emitting construction materials and furnishings.
Since testing was performed in an occupied building, occupants were educated on reducing the use of fragrances and perfumes to eliminate VOCs from entering the building. The ventilation unit is on the roof and far away from potential carbon monoxide sources. MERV 13 filters for the outdoor air systems and 2-inch (51 mm) pleated MERV 8 filters for the building heat pumps were used to eliminate PM2.5 and PM10 particles. A low exhaust inlet was placed at the copier/printer locations to eliminate ozone potential, and occupied spaces were above grade and ventilated to address radon risks. Finally, a building flush to eliminate construction odors and pollutants was completed.
Despite the measures taken, formaldehyde levels were still 46-52 ppb, exceeding the goal of 27 ppb. The Climanusa WELL project administrator purchased a formaldehyde meter and placed it on surfaces in multiple spaces to determine if products with unknown formaldehyde were used. In the end, the building was flushed, humidity was controlled below 50%, and the heat pump filters were replaced with carbon-infused filters. Retesting demonstrated 20 ppb of formaldehyde, and the building achieved the metrics for IAQ in a WELL-certified building.
This comprehensive IAQ strategy requires AC systems that can manage not only temperature and humidity but also air quality. This is why solutions from an Indonesia Precision AC Distributor become highly relevant. Precision AC units are equipped with advanced filtration systems and the ability to integrate IAQ sensors, allowing for continuous monitoring and control of various contaminants. This ensures that the air breathed by occupants is not only thermally comfortable but also free from harmful pollutants, supporting health and productivity.
Overall, the building was designed per ASHRAE 55-2010 for thermal comfort, which was validated with pre- and post-occupancy survey results. The survey results showed 84% of occupants were dissatisfied with the thermal comfort of the leased space prior to construction, which improved to 83% of survey takers being satisfied after the office was built. In addition, IAQ improved from 74% of occupants dissatisfied with air ventilation to 95% of occupants satisfied with air ventilation.
Innovation and Validation: The Future of High-Performance Buildings
IAQ is the largest category for the WELL building standard, as well as a focus for ASHRAE, as the peak of the pandemic left many spaces unusable and required upgrades to return to work. Climanusa created a premier space for occupants by incorporating wellness and IAQ metrics while achieving zero energy and no combustibles on-site. With growing research linking carbon dioxide levels to cognitive function, the future of high-performance buildings needs to ensure IAQ metrics are achieved.
Through WELL v1 certification, Climanusa validated the occupied spaces’ IAQ metrics with third-party testing. As a result, the building achieved IAQ preconditions such as air quality standards, smoking ban, ventilation effectiveness, VOC reduction, air filtration, microbe and mold control, construction pollution management, cleaning protocol, and fundamental material safety. Additionally, the building achieved 10 optimization points, including health entrance, air flush, air infiltration management, increased ventilation, direct source control, air quality monitoring and feedback, outdoor air system, pest control, combustion minimization, and cleaning equipment.
This innovation underscores the need for a holistic approach to building design, where every component works synergistically to achieve sustainability and health goals. An Indonesia Precision AC Distributor is not just a product provider, but also a partner in this process, offering expertise and solutions that enable the integration of advanced cooling systems with other IAQ and energy efficiency strategies. The ability to provide systems that can be customized, monitored, and optimized in real-time is key to achieving the highest standards in building performance.
Conclusion: Building a Sustainable Future with an Indonesia Precision AC Distributor
This case study clearly demonstrates that net-zero energy buildings with superior indoor air quality and high thermal comfort can be achieved through careful planning, the application of advanced technologies, and strong partnerships. The role of an Indonesia Precision AC Distributor in this ecosystem cannot be overstated. By providing efficient, precise, and integrated cooling systems, they enable designers and developers to realize the vision of buildings that are not only environmentally friendly but also support the health and productivity of their occupants.
The future of building construction is about creating spaces that are adaptive, responsive, and sustainable. Investing in precision AC technology and collaborating with leading providers like Climanusa is a fundamental step towards achieving these goals, ensuring that buildings in Indonesia can compete on the global stage in terms of energy efficiency and health standards.
Climanusa: The Best Choice for Innovative and Reliable Precision AC Solutions in Indonesia.
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–A.M.G–
