Assessing demand-controlled ventilation strategies based on one CO2 sensor

The common demand control approach for MVHR systems using one CO2 sensor within the ventilation unit is assessed based on a typical residential apartment situation using CONTAM models. The simulation results confirm that air flow and therefore fan electricity and ventilation losses can be reduced compared to constant flow control, in particular for higher nominal air exchange rates. However, under certain boundary conditions, e.g. unevenly occupied dwellings indoor air quality in certain rooms may suffer with this DCV strategy.  

Alternative ducting options for balanced mechanical ventilation systems in multifamily housing

Duct routing often poses a great challenge when planning the installation of a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery. This is particularly true for retrofits, where the necessary space for supply and exhaust ducts was originally not accounted for. This extended summary presents an alternative approach for duct routing avoiding ducts in the dwelling, while allowing the installation of a centralized MVHR unit and the implementation of a cascading airflow through the dwelling.

Indoor air quality in mechanically ventilated residential dwellings/low-rise buildings: A review of existing information

Mechanical ventilation has become a mandatory requirement in multiple European standards addressing indoor air quality (IAQ) and ventilation in residential dwellings (single family houses and low-rise apartment buildings). This article presents the state of the art study through a review of the existing literature, to establish a link between ventilation rate and key indoor air pollutants. Design characteristics of a mechanical ventilation system such as supply/exhaust air flow, system and design of supply and exhaust outlets were considered.

How loud is too loud? Noise from domestic mechanical ventilation systems

Noise from domestic ventilation systems is currently a little understood problem in the UK. Other European countries that have a longer history of using mechanical domestic ventilation systems have introduced noise limits for these systems. Without mandatory limits for noise in UK, noise is not a factor that is often considered during the design. However, noise can be a significant constraint to the use of ventilation systems. Research is reviewed from across Europe and North America that indicates residents turn off ventilation equipment with objectionable noise.

The future of hybrid ventilation in office buildings – energy simulations and lifecycle cost

This study presents a comparison of three ventilation systems; automated Natural Ventilation (NV), balanced Mechanical Ventilation (MV) with heat recovery and Hybrid Ventilation (HV) with heat recovery for a new build office building.
The energy demand for heating and electricity as well as the indoor climate of the building were simulated using IESVE. Three key European cities were selected (Copenhagen, Munich and London) in order to investigate the applicability of the principles to different climatic conditions in Europe.

Hybrid ventilation in new and refurbished school buildings – the future of ventilation

More than 64 million pupils spend more time in school than in any other place except home in Europe (European Commission, 2014). The indoor air quality is often a challenge in existing school buildings and the lack of proper ventilation often leads to negative effects like increased absenteeism and sick building syndrome symptoms as well as lowered performance amongst students compared to new buildings.

Assessing Occupant and Outdoor Air Impacts on Indoor Air Quality in New California Homes

In 2008 the State of California adopted new building codes that required the use of mechanical ventilation systems in homes that meet the requirements of ASHRAE Standard 62.2. The standard requires both a dwelling unit mechanical ventilation system and exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms. A field study was undertaken to evaluate the IAQ and ventilation performance of homes built to these requirements. For ventilation system performance, the airflows of all mechanical ventilation systems were measured and their use was monitored for a one-week period.

Effectiveness of Ventilative Cooling Strategies in Hot and Dry and Temperate Climates of India

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.

Ventilation strategies for the deep energy retrofit of a kindergarten

The scientific literature often reports example of educational buildings with extremely poor ventilation performance. An in-field investigation for the environmental and energy assessment of a kindergarten in Milano, confirmed that operable windows were not operated when the average daily temperature dropped below 14 °C, jeopardizing indoor air quality and kids learning performance.

Recommendable supply air rates for residential housing – A simulation study considering CO2 concentration, relative humidity, TVOC emissions and mould risk

In an extensive simulation study using a multi-zone airflow and contaminant transport calculation software (CONTAM) recommendations for the supply air rates for residential housing were derived as input for the revision of the Austrian standard ÖNORM H 6038 (2014). The floor plan, the occupancy and the contaminant and humidity sources are modelled to represent a typical Austrian housing situation. A humidity buffering model is also implemented. Based on common thresholds for CO2, relative humidity (r.h.) and TVOC the so-called relative threshold deviation is determined.

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