The effects of operating unvented appl i ances and opening windows on indoor pollutant levels and air exchange rates are being studied under the sponsorship of the Gas Research Institute. The study is being conducted i n an instrumented, well-characterized bilevel house located near Washington, D.C. Air leakage due to window openings is characterized by pressurization measurements and the air exchange increment is characterized through tracer gas measurements. Two unvented space heaters, one radiant and the other convective, are operated singly and in combination with a gas cooking range.
During a 12 month period, an experimental house (retrofitted, with an air to air heat exchanger) and a control house are being monitored for various infiltration, indoor air quality and energy use parameters.
Examines providing some existing multifamily houses with mechanical ventilation with heat exchanger by installing new inlet air ducts to bring back the heat contents of the outlet air.
Discusses insulation of lofts, roofs, walls, windows and floors, natural ventilation of dwellings and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery in dwellings. Considers cost benefits of weatherstripping and constant-flow ventilators for naturally ventilated houses. Concludes that installation of mechanical ventilation with heat recovery is uneconomic, but adding a heatexchanger to an existing mechanical ventilation system has economic benefits.
Reducing the air change rate of a house increases the concentration of pollutants in the indoor air. These pollutants are identified and located within the residential structure. Air-to-air heat exchangers are suggested tocontrol ventilation, and the three basic types described.
One option of reducing residential energy consumption is to improve air tightness but adequate ventilation must be provided for health reasons. Sources of infiltration and factors affecting infiltration rates are described, with methods for quantifying and comparing rates. The relationship with air quality is explained and the effect that air quality has on respiration and health. Typical indoor pollutants are carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, radon and radon progeny, formaldehyde gas, particulates, tobacco smoke and odours.
Results of air quality measurements are presented for a group of low-leakage houses located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. A total of 46 houses were tested for formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide, radon, and humidity levels. The median level of formalde
Looks at the separate requirements of ventilation and heat recovery. Discusses the energy cost of ventilation. Gives example calculations for four different situations to show how much saving an air-to-air heat exchanger can provide. Savings depend on ventilation rate, climate and energy price.
Describes a 2 year study sponsored by EPRI to ivestigate relationships between energy use, air infiltration and indoor air quality. Uses 2 bi-level, detached houses, identical in design and wind exposure. Continuously monitors parameters related to related to energy use, air infiltration, and indoor air quality.
Describes two projects concerned with heat recovery in apartment buildings. Measures energy savings during normal operation when heat is recovered from exhaust air by a static flat-plate heat exchanger or by a heat pipe heat exchanger. Energy savings predicted during design stage are not achieved in practice because of inadequate system adjustment. Results show that energy savings can be calculated with good accuracy from individual measurements of temperature efficiency and supply air flow rates.
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