Vertical Green-Living Walls Save up to 20% of Energy Used in Closed Spaces
Sourced from Facilities Management Journal
Researchers from the Faculty of Agriculture at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem found that vertical green-living walls (VGWs) can save up to 20 per cent of the energy used for air circulation in closed offices and spaces, resulting in significant energy and financial savings.
The study, conducted by Dr. David Helman and Yehuda Yungstein, was published in the international journal, Building and Environment.
Researchers utilised innovative technology to measure green walls in a closed room. Environmental indicators, such as carbon dioxide levels, temperature, relative humidity, and the quality and pH levels of irrigation water, were monitored for a year and a half. The study also examined which type of plant would be more energy efficient under different conditions.
“In our research, we used green wall technology built inside a laboratory, where six different indoor plant species were planted on a hydroponic substrate, vertically on the wall, without soil,” explained Yehuda Yungstein, a master’s student at the Faculty of Agriculture, and one of the study researchers.
The study found specific plants can reduce the need for ventilation and air conditioning by using carbon dioxide from the air and transpiring water vapour into the room, thus reducing carbon dioxide levels and cooling the air around the green wall.
From the Living Architecture Monitor
