Effects of wireless sensor measurement errors on indoor environment and energy use of a kindergarten

The number of wireless, low-cost indoor environment sensors is increasing with the improving measurement technology. These sensors could potentially replace the wired sensors integrated in Building Management Systems or could be used to develop a remote, low-cost commissioning process for buildings (without BMS).

This study investigated the effect of the observed temperature, relative humidity and CO2 concentration measurement errors of such sensors on the HVAC system of a kindergarten if these sensors would be used for controlling it. The results show that when the sensors’ readings were used as input into the HVAC systems, a satisfactory level of relative humidity was achieved with regard to indoor environment; however, this was not the case in terms of temperature and CO2 concentration level.