ABSTRACT
New COVID-19 ventilation guidelines have resulted in higher energy consumption to maintain indoor air quality (IAQ), and energy efficiency has become a secondary concern. Despite the significance of the studies conducted on COVID-19 ventilation requirements, a comprehensive investigation of the associated energy challenges has not been discussed. This study aims to present a critical systematic review of the Coronavirus viral spreading risk mitigation through ventilation systems (VS) and its relation to energy use. COVID-19 heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)-related countermeasures proposed by industry professionals have been reviewed and their influence on operating VS and energy consumption have also been discussed. A critical review analysis was then conducted on publications from 2020 to 2022. Four research questions (RQs) have been selected for this review concerning i) maturity of the existing literature, ii) building types and occupancy profile, iii) ventilation types and effective control strategies and iv) challenges and related causes. The results reveal that employing HVAC auxiliary equipment is mostly effective and increased fresh air supply is the most significant challenge associated with increased energy consumption due to maintaining IAQ. Future studies should focus on novel approaches toward solving the apparently conflicting objectives of minimizing energy consumption and maximizing IAQ. Also, effective ventilation control strategies should be assessed in various buildings with different occupancy densities. The implications of this study can be useful for future development of this topic not only to enhance the energy efficiency of the VS but also to enable more resiliency and health in buildings.
ABSTRACT
This article describes and discusses the spread of the coronavirus pandemic in Australia, its impact on people and the economy and policy responses to these impacts. It discusses the implications of these responses for post-pandemic recovery, though noting that the country's response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has, thus far, been among the most successful in the world. Australia's early physical distancing measures, relatively high per capita testing rates, political stability, national wealth and geographic isolation are among the explanatory factors. This article summarises Australia's socio-economic responses to the pandemic and shows what this means, especially, for vulnerable groups, and thereby for social inequality, which the pandemic has aggravated and which may become more apparent, still, as debates about paths to economic and social recovery are in some respects already polarising. Although it is relatively early to clearly identify lessons learnt from these responses, it is safe to conclude that further policy development needs to be carefully focused to avoid exacerbating existing inequalities.