The effect of occupant distribution on energy consumption and COVID-19 infection in buildings: A case study of university building

Highlights

• Occupant presence is one of the major parameters affecting the energy consumption and the number of infected people with COVID-19 in buildings.
• A high occupant density in a building leads to higher energy consumption and the number of infected people with COVID-19.
• An optimal occupant distribution through a day can control COVID-19 infection risk and the energy consumption in a building.
• The COVID-19 infection risk can be minimized by a higher air exchange rate in the building, increase in the working hour of the building.
• The HVAC energy consumption can be minimized by a lower air exchange rate in the building, decrease in the working hour of the building.