Buildings account for a substantial proportion of global energy consumption and significantly contribute to CO₂ emissions. The largest contributors to high-energy consumption in buildings are heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Increased energy use by HVAC systems may arise from inappropriate system selection, incorrect design, as well as errors made during their installation, operation, and maintenance. Therefore, it is important to search for and apply efficient, innovative HVAC solutions and assure their adequate operation. A smart control system and the use of passive heating and cooling techniques also contribute to increase energy efficiency. While focusing on energy efficiency, one should not forget about maintaining the appropriate quality of the indoor environment and, in the case of buildings intended for people occupancy, also on the comfort of the users. The key task is to determine the appropriate HVAC solution, which can maintain the assumed thermal parameters and air quality in the room, regardless of changing internal and external heat loads. This is especially important in the context of global warming. In temperate climates, hitherto applied HVAC system design may need to be reevaluated. This Special Issue focuses on documenting the performance of heating, ventilation, and cooling systems in buildings, demonstrating new solutions and innovative applications of HVAC systems. For publication, we invite original papers containing experimental research, case studies, or extensive discussion on this topic.
Keywords: Innovative HVAC solutions; Ventilation systems; Heating systems; Cooling systems; Indoor environment; Energy efficiency; Control of HVAC systems; HVAC optimization; User behavior.