air leakage

Measures the airtightness of various types of 25 residential units (9 detached houses and 16 apartments) using the fan pressurization technique. Shows the relationship between the pressure difference across the building envelope and the volumetric flow rate of air as well as the ratio of the effective leakage area of one building element to the total leakage area. Compares the airtightness of various types of houses in different countries using the valueof the effective leakage area per floor a at a pressure difference of 10 Pa.

Describes pressurization tests conducted by the National Testing Institute on 3 large industrial buildings. Sets out equipment and methods used including atracer gas method to calculate air flow through the fan rather than the usual measuring duct. Gives construction and volume details of buildings measured.

Describes the results of air tightness tests of various service penetrations through a polythene vapour barrier and associated insulation. The service penetrations studied were insulated and uninsulated ventilation ducts, plastics, pipes, electrical boxes and electrical conduits. Various methods of sealing the penetration were tested for each case. Recommendations are made for choice of sealing method based on performance and case of installation. Examples are given of the effect of leakage through service penetrations on total building leakage.

Presents the results of an experiment designed to measure the additional energy savings achieved by adding two person days of house doctoring to a standard energy audit. Compares a house doctor and audit treatment to an audit alone and to a passive control group. Treatments were applied to randomly selected groups of 10 houses each in Walnut Creek California. The difference in energy savings between the treatments, based on monthly utility bills, were not statistically significant due to wide variation in savings and the loss of several houses from each group.

Discusses the possible effects of wind, stack effect, vents and fans on air leakage, and the influence of air leakage openings and the location on the pattern of air flow through buildings. Considers the possible extent and location of condensation in relation to these patterns, as well as methods of controlling moisture entry and removal of accumulated moisture.

Describes a field study carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of the air leakage sealing techniques employed by Ener-Corp Management Ltd. for reducing air infiltration in houses. Performs presealing and postsealing air leakage tests on 82 single detached houses, located in Winnipeg or southern Manitoba. The sample group consisted of 56 conventionally-constructed houses of varying size, style, occupancy and airtightness, and 26 nonstandard structures of smaller but identical size and age. This latter group was part of the Flora Place Project.

Describes the Energy Performance Design System (EPDS) which is a simplified procedure for energy analysis based on extensive field testing, laboratory experiments and computer modelling. Provides a simple procedure for designing and evaluating the performance of energy-efficient homes. Describes thedevelopment of the simplified air infiltration model used in EPDS. The starting point for model development was a series of field studies on air infiltration conducted 1978-1981.

One limiting factor in achieving optimum thermal performance in shutters is air leakage around the shutter edges. Describes a motor driven shutter using multilayer curtains employing a magnetic type edge seal. Measures the thermal performance of 2-layer and 4-layer shutters using a controlled environment chamber. The 2-layer shutter performs as well as a similarly sized unit in which the layers ar permanently sealed. The 4-layer unit does not perform as well as expected because of air leakage between cells at the top of theshutter.

Provides basis for planning and installing plant for maintaining indoor climate based on previous draft which is based on earlier Danish Standard. Refers to several salient design criteria including leakage factors at given test pressure, maintenance of climate parameters, air quality, anticipated energy consumption. Gives example table for requirements of building in terms of m2/person depending on application. States example tolerances of air flows.

States that a comprehensive sealing program should be considered in every residential energy conservation program. Covers the theory of air flow in a structure , how this theory is converted into a practical service, and theeffect on the house including humidity and air quality concerns. Describes the infiltrometer, a pressurization device used to detect air leakage, how to useit and how to interpret data.