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Evaluation of a Polyester Filter and UV Light (PFUV) Dehumidifier to Improve Indoor Environmental Quality: Preliminary Results

Author

Listed:
  • Mohammad Al-Rawi

    (Centre for Engineering and Industrial Design (CEID), Waikato Institute of Technology, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand)

  • Mohammed M. Farid

    (Department of Chemical & Materials Engineering, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand)

  • Rhys J. Jones

    (Centre for Applied Science and Primary Industries, Waikato Institute of Technology, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand)

  • Ken Louie

    (Centre for Engineering and Industrial Design (CEID), Waikato Institute of Technology, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand)

Abstract

Older residential dwellings in New Zealand frequently suffer from poor indoor environmental quality (IEQ) due to an ageing housing stock. Recent New Zealand surveys indicated around 50% of children live in houses that do not meet acceptable standards for thermal comfort. Children in these houses frequently experience respiratory conditions caused by dampness and mould during winter. New regulatory standards requiring a fixed heating source in the main living room of rental houses can increase rents and may result in the heating source not being utilized. This study evaluates an alternative low-cost portable air filter/sterilizer (PFUV) dehumidifier device for improving IEQ within the building envelope using Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) and a polyester filter (dual-10 30/30). This paper compares the effectiveness of the PFUV dehumidifier device and a conventional heat pump in terms of measured particulate matters as well as fungal profiles using Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) plates. The PFUV dehumidifier successfully reduced the relative humidity to within a healthy range of (44–49%) compared to not running the device (54–60%), thereby reducing the suitability of the environment for mould growth. Additionally, the PFUV device achieved a reduction in average particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) to within the range of 0.16 to 0.53 µg/m³ compared to the range of 1.06 to 2.42 µg/m³ before using the device.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohammad Al-Rawi & Mohammed M. Farid & Rhys J. Jones & Ken Louie, 2022. "Evaluation of a Polyester Filter and UV Light (PFUV) Dehumidifier to Improve Indoor Environmental Quality: Preliminary Results," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-19, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:8:p:4504-:d:790668
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kyungjoo Cho & Chang-U Chae & Dongwoo Cho & Taeyeon Kim, 2021. "Changes in Fan Energy Consumption According to Filters Installed in Residential Heat Recovery Ventilators in Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-12, September.
    2. Seung-Hoon Park & Jae-Hun Jo & Eui-Jong Kim, 2021. "Data-Driven Models for Estimating Dust Loading Levels of ERV HEPA Filters," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-14, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Marta Fonseca Gabriel & João Pedro Cardoso & Fátima Felgueiras & Joana Azeredo & David Filipe & Peter Conradie & Stephanie Van Hove & Zenaida Mourão & Filippos Anagnostopoulos & Isabel Azevedo, 2023. "Opportunities for Promoting Healthy Homes and Long-Lasting Energy-Efficient Behaviour among Families with Children in Portugal," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-20, February.
    2. Abhimannyu Sharma & Dheeraj Kumar & Amit Kumar & Nadeem Faisal & Naresh Kumar & Shatrudhan Pandey & S. M. Mozammil Hasnain & Tahani Mohamed Al-Hazani & Abdullah A. AlKahtane & Saad Alkahtani & Rajeshw, 2023. "Designing, Modeling, and Fabrication of a Novel Solar-Concentrating Spittoon against COVID-19 for Antibacterial Sustainable Atmosphere," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-17, June.

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