field measurements

Many European programs offer eco-conditioned financial aid to support public policies for the decarbonization of buildings. This is the case, for example, of the 2017-2022 ERDF Operational Program, which financially assists social project management for energy efficient refurbishment operations of its building stock. The eligibility conditions for financial aids concern the energy consumption, the thermal insulation performance of the building envelope and the energy efficiency of heating, cooling and ventilation systems.

Heat recovery ventilation (HRV) is one of the usual techniques (next to demand controlled) to reduce the energy impact of ventilation in buildings. For a given air change rate, the energy savings of HRV are in the first place dependent of the heat-exchanger efficiency, usually measured in standardized laboratory conditions. However, many other factors can have an impact on the overall system performance in practice.

The French ongoing research project “Durabilit'air” (2016-2019) aims at improving our knowledge on the variation of buildings airtightness through onsite measurement and accelerated ageing in laboratory controlled conditions. This paper presents the final results of the second task of the project. This task deals with the quantification and qualification of the durability of building airtightness of single detached houses. It is done through field measurement at mid-term (MT) and long-term (LT) scales.  

The increasing weight of building leakages energy impact on the overall energy performance of low-energy buildings led to a better understanding of the actual airtightness performance of buildings. However, low expertise is available today on the durability of airtightness products in mid- and long-term scales. The French ongoing research project “Durabilit'air” (2016-2019) aims at improving our knowledge on the variation of buildings airtightness through onsite measurement and accelerated ageing in laboratory controlled conditions.

Increasing use of air-conditioning in India is applying upward pressure on energy demand and may have implications on dependability. Electrical energy can be saved if favourable outdoor conditions are effectively utilized for cooling buildings with the minimum use of energy. This could be specifically applicable to residences where night-time use is more predominant for cooling by air conditioning systems but also aligns favourably with suitable outdoor conditions to be used as ventilative cooling.

This work presents a field measurement study, investigating the airtightness of 64 French dwellings less than ten year old. Buildings have been classified according to the type of construction (masonry or timber frame) and of occupancy mode (multi- or single- family). Using a fan-depressurization technique, we assessed the air leakage rate of each dwelling, based on a theoretical flow model that relates the infiltration airflow rate to the differential pressure .

A field measurement study of the airtightness of 73 - less than 5 year old - French dwellingswas led between 1999 and 2000. Buildings have been selected and classified according to theconstruction structure, the thermal insulation and the occupancy mode. Using a fandepressurizationtechnique, we assessed the air leakage rate of each dwelling with twodepressurization tests. Meanwhile quantifying air leakage rates, we observed qualitatively themost frequent locations of air leakage paths using a smoke detection method and infraredthermography.

This paper presents a recent field measurement study undertaken in 1999 on 73 recent Frenchdwellings. The study presented the opportunity to assess the conformity and the performancesof the dwelling ventilation systems and to assess the impact of infiltration on airchange rates.The following aspects were analyzed : (1) the type of ventilation facilities in the dwellings ;(2) the defaults in the installed systems and in their operation ; and (3) the measured air flowrates, as compared to the French standard required levels.

An investigation of some Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) parameters in a significant office of the State in the area of Rome was undertaken. The aim, in future, will be to cover a wide range of situations in various buildings and organisations, to achieve data to improve the working conditions, to have a more healthy working environment, to optimize energy consumption and energy management.