Evaluation of the IEQ Compass Tool for Single Family Houses Through Comparative Analysis of Simulated and Empirical Data
Author
Akhi, Umma Salma
Term
4. Term
Education
Publication year
2026
Submitted on
2026-10-05
Abstract
This thesis evaluates how suitable the IEQ Compass tool is for assessing indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in Danish single-family houses without relying on extensive in-situ measurements. IEQ Compass rates acoustic, atmospheric, thermal and visual indoor conditions through a scoring system that is converted into letter grades. The study applies the tool to 18 single-family houses representing different construction periods, renovation histories and ventilation strategies. Input data are derived from drawings, technical specifications, project reports and building descriptions, supplemented by reasoned assumptions where information is missing. The analysis compares overall and domain-specific IEQ scores, examines four houses before and after renovation, and explores hypothetical scenarios where the houses are located in different parts of Denmark. It also investigates the maximum achievable atmospheric score under optimal assumptions for natural ventilation. The findings indicate that IEQ Compass can serve as a practical screening tool to identify potential strengths and weaknesses in indoor environmental quality and to support renovation decisions. Achieving a high overall IEQ grade depends on a combination of suitable building design features and favourable external environmental conditions, while individual domain scores remain crucial for identifying specific improvement needs. The thesis also highlights limitations and suggests directions for future research into the tool’s use in different dwelling types and contexts.
Denne afhandling undersøger, hvor anvendeligt værktøjet IEQ Compass er til at vurdere indeklimaet (Indoor Environmental Quality, IEQ) i danske enfamiliehuse uden omfattende måleprogrammer. IEQ Compass vurderer det akustiske, atmosfæriske, termiske og visuelle indeklima via et pointsystem, som omsættes til karakterer. I studiet anvendes værktøjet på 18 enfamiliehuse med forskellige byggeår, renoveringshistorik og ventilationsstrategier. Data til input stammer fra tegninger, specifikationer, projektmateriale og bygningsbeskrivelser, suppleret med velbegrundede antagelser, hvor oplysninger mangler. Analysen omfatter sammenligning af samlede og domænespecifikke IEQ-resultater, vurdering af fire huse før og efter renovering, samt scenarier hvor husene tænkes placeret andre steder i landet. Desuden undersøges, hvor højt en atmosfærisk score der kan opnås med optimale forudsætninger for naturlig ventilation. Resultaterne viser, at IEQ Compass kan fungere som et praktisk screeningsværktøj til at identificere styrker og svagheder i indeklimaet og til at understøtte renoveringsbeslutninger. Et højt samlet IEQ-niveau afhænger af både hensigtsmæssige bygningsmæssige løsninger og gunstige omgivende miljøforhold, mens de enkelte domænescorer er afgørende for at pege på konkrete forbedringsmuligheder. Afhandlingen peger samtidig på begrænsninger og behov for videre forskning i værktøjets anvendelse i forskellige boligtyper og kontekster.
[This abstract has been generated with the help of AI directly from the project full text]