LEE MC, KUO YC, CHEN HM, TSENG HT, The efficiency of the smart sterilised ventilation system in residential bathrooms in Taiwan, HKIE Transactions, Vol. 32, No. 3 (Theme Issue), Article THIE-2024-0071.R1, 2026, 10.33430/V32N3THIE-2024-0071
Due to limited residential space in Taiwan, bathrooms and toilets are often integrated into a single area, resulting in excessive humidity and organic residue that encourage bacterial and fungal growth. This study develops an intelligent ventilation system with sterilisation capabilities to address this issue. The system uses infrared (IR) lamps to raise the ambient temperature and increase the saturated vapour pressure, evaporating condensation from ceilings and walls. Simultaneously, ultraviolet (UV) lamps are activated to sterilise airborne microbes via induced air turbulence. For safety, UV lamps only operate when no human presence is detected, based on infrared sensors. The system automatically activates or deactivates ventilation fans based on absolute humidity thresholds (0.015 kg/kg' and 0.021 kg/kg'), and triggers all components, including the IR lamp and UV unit, when the ambient temperature falls below 29°C. This approach maintains an optimal indoor temperature and humidity while improving the air quality.
Keywords:
bathroom, moisture, colony-forming units (CFUs), smart sterilised ventilation system
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