ASHRAE has developed a draft of a measurement standard, Standard 129, entitled "Standard Method of Measuring Air Cliange Effectiveness." This standard defines a method of measurement for measuring air change effectiveness in mechanically ventilated spaces, and provides a discussion of how the values of air change effectiveness may be used to demonstrate compliance with ASHRAE 62-1 989.
A breakthrough in ventilation research was made once it was realized that ventilation principles based on mixed flow patterns are not optimal and that further energy savings can be achieved if an alternative technique could be developed. Several researchers, particularly in the Nordic countries, have shown by theoretical studies that replacing mixed ventilation flow by displacement flow increases ventilation efficiency. This also results in decreased air supply volumes and thus decreased energy requirements. In addition, lower air velocities may reduce problems of comfort and noise.