residential building

Describes a national demonstration of the effectiveness of an optimal weatherization programme for low-income families conducted by the Community Services Administration and the National Bureau of Standards. 101 family dwellings in 12 cities

States that as many as 600 lung cancers a year may be attributable to radon gas, and this may jump to as many as 1500 if energy conservation measures reducing draughts become more widespread. Notes that radon appears to be present in every hou

Stresses need to introduce sensible energy conservation measures into building and warns against superficially attractive solutions. Discusses reduction of ventilation heat loss by installation of mechanical ventilation incorporating heat recovery. Illustrates a mechanically ventilated dwelling with fresh air drawn into living areas and exhaust air leaving via the kitchen and WC. Treats further examples of mechanical ventilation which are adjusted according to necessary ventilation rates. Concludes by discussing trends in building construction concerned with conserving energy.

A model that relates fan pressurization results to infiltration values during the heating season is the basis for infiltration estimates in several different audit programs. Describes the model and presents validation results. Uses the model in 3 different audit strategies. The first is an energy audit to determine economically optimal retrofits for residential buildings, based on actual, on-site measurements of key indices of the house. Analyses measurements on a micro-processor and determines retrofit combinations compatible with minimum life-cycle cost and occupant preferences.

Reports on radon measurements made in the municipalities of Uppsala, Sodertalje and Tyreso. Uses about 7600 kodak plastic films in private houses and bloks of flats. About 3-14% of private residences have concentrations above 200 Bq/m3, and 0.5% blocks of flats. 8-68% of private residences and 57-83% of blocks of flats have less than 70 Bq/m3 of radon.

Gives a summary of the work in testing of different energy-saving retrofits performed in dwellings in Sweden. The report is based on work done at the Swedish National Testing Institute and the National Swedish Institute for Building Research carried out during the winter 1979-80. Thermography methods, pressure test method, tracer gas measurements and heat flow measurements wereused in 91 houses, which were retrofitted. Describes different test methods and discusses results of measurements.

Describes a test method for determining the overall heat loss coefficient of a house. Bases method on the statistical correlation of measured heat consumption with outdoor weather data. Derives a regression equation from the heat balance giving the relation between indoor air temperature, internal heat production and the outdoor weather data. Continuously monitors the power consumption (from electrical heaters) in an unoccupied house, together with indoor air temperatures and outdoor weather data, as solar radiation, outdoor air temperature and wind velocity.

Describes measurements of the leakage area of fireplaces,bathroom and kitchen exhaust vents, electrical outlets and leakage in the ducts of forced air distribution systems. Makes component leakage measurements in a total of 34houses in Atlanta, Georgia, Reno Nevada and the San Francisco Bay area. Finds damperless fireplaces and ductwork to be the most significant sources of leakage in the western houses.

Measures houses with energy efficient designs in Eugene, Oregon and Rochester (NY) for effective leakage area using blower door fan pressurization. Determines air change rates by tracer gas decay analysis. Makes fan pressurization measurements on 13 new houses in the San Francisco Bay area that have been partially sealed with polymeric foam sealant. Measures a similar group of 13 unsealed houses as a control. Uses the results of thesemeasurements in conjunction with an infiltration model developed at LBL to predict average annual and heating season infiltration rates.

Descibes tests conducted by the Pacific Gas and Electric (PGE) and the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) to evaluate cost effectiveness of certain retrofits. 20 houses in Walnut Creek CA underwent an air infiltration reduction program, simi