Application of Earth-to-Air Heat Exchangers (EAHE) for Sustainable Energy Management in School Buildings

Aligned with the European Union's decarbonisation goals, growing attention is being paid to the energy performance of non-residential buildings, particularly schools. These facilities must ensure adequate indoor air quality and thermal comfort while limiting energy use, as their heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems typically operate at high power. This study assesses the energy-saving potential of retrofitting an existing school in Naples, southern Italy, with an earth-air heat exchanger (EAHE). The EAHE exploits the relatively stable ground temperature to pre-heat or pre-cool the outdoor air before it reaches the primary air-handling unit (AHU). Considering steady-state conditions, the EAHE was parameterised by varying duct length and diameter (thus air velocity). The results indicate significant reductions in the peak thermal capacity of both the heating and cooling coils, confirming the efficacy of the proposed solution for Mediterranean school buildings.