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Conference Object Mold Growth Affecting the Achievement of NZEB in the Long Term in Tropical Climates(Free University of Bozen Bolzano, 2025) Carpino, Cristina; Austin, Miguel Chen; Turhan, Cihan; Mora, Dafni Y.; Arcuri, N.The net-zero energy concept significantly impacts global goals regarding energy accessibility (SDG 7) and responsible consumption (SDG 12), particularly in the building sector, which accounts for substantial energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. While extensive research on Net Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) has focused on the global north, tropical regions require further study, where high solar radiation, temperatures, and humidity challenge building performance throughout the year. Addressing problems like mold growth caused by these tropical climate aspects can undermine NZEB's performance. This study aims to evaluate the impact of mold growth on a representative building under the tropical climate of Panama City (high temperatures and humidity) and Boquete (low temperatures and high humidity). Long-term hygrothermal and energy performance analyses are conducted using simulation software to assess when and how mold growth affects building performance. Mold can harm the health of occupants and increase energy consumption, as additional humidity control devices may be required after the building's design phase. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.Article Citation - WoS: 2Citation - Scopus: 2Integrating Personalized Thermal Comfort Devices for Energy-Efficient and Occupant-Centric Buildings(Mdpi, 2025) Turhan, Cihan; Carpino, CristinaPersonalized thermal comfort (PTC) systems aim to satisfy the individual thermal preferences of occupants rather than relying on average comfort indices. With the growing emphasis on sustainability and reducing energy consumption in buildings, energy efficiency has become a critical factor in the design and selection of PTC systems. While the development of PTC tools has accelerated in the last decade, selecting the most appropriate system remains a challenge due to the dynamic, uncertain, and multi-dimensional nature of the decision-making process. This study introduces a novel application of the KEMIRA-M multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method to identify the optimal PTC system for university office buildings-an area with limited prior investigation. A case study is conducted in a naturally ventilated office space located in a temperate climate zone. Eight distinct PTC alternatives are evaluated, including data-driven HVAC systems, wearable devices, and localized conditioning units. Six key criteria are considered: estimated energy consumption, capital cost, indoor and outdoor space requirements, system complexity, mobility, and energy efficiency. The results indicate that wearable wristbands, which condition the occupant's carpus area, offer the most balanced performance across criteria, while radiant ceiling/floor systems perform the poorest. Energy efficiency plays a crucial role in this evaluation, as it directly impacts both the operational cost and the environmental footprint of the system. The study's findings provide a structured and adaptable framework for HVAC engineers and designers to integrate PTC systems into occupant-centric and energy-efficient building designs.
