Taking draught-proofing seriously

Describes the benefits of draughtproofing as a cost effective means of energy conservation with a low pay-back period. The Draught Proofing Advisory Association is trying to raise standards by the introduction of a new Code of Professional Practice. It is also approaching the government with regard to including draughtproofing within its Home Insulation Scheme.

The performance of retrofit energy conservation measures in 2 semi-detached houses.

Describes the retrofitting of 2 1930's semi-detached houses with insulation, draught-stripping, double glazing, heating controls and heat pumps. Measures performance and finds results compare with expectations. Simulates the heat gains equivalent to a family of four. Heat losses were slightly lower than predicted. Air leakage was also low.

Air infiltration control method - sealing the joint.

Tests and evaluates the air infiltration control methods employed in buildings. Concentrates especially on silicone sealant applied in situ to opening joints of external windows. Carries out tests both in the laboratory on window samples and in the field on a test building. Checks the effect of the method on air permeability through single windows and on energy loss due to air infiltration through the building envelope.

Case study of retrofitting a 14-storey office building in Oslo.

Describes the retrofitting of a 14-storey office block in Oslo, done as part of an energy conservation project carried out in Norway 1979-82. The main reduction in energy consumption was achieved by tightening air leaks between concrete wall elements and windows by the application of sealing compound in 2 critical types of joint in the facade. Measures the energy consumption one year before and one year after retrofitting, using thermography to find the air leaks and to verify the tightening afterwards. Also carries out pressurization tests using the building's ventilation system.

Guiding principles concerning design of experiments, instrumentation and measuring techniques.

The report aims to provide the basis for the design and set up of experiments for the evaluation of the effects of energy conservation measures in residential buildings. The first part deals with general planning of the experiment, basic principles of building physics, thermal comfort and energy related behaviour of occupants. The second part decribes the design of the experiment, and the third part is devoted to measurement techniques, data acquisition and installation rules in the different fields of building physics and heating systems.

Low energy prairie housing - a survey of some essential features

Reviews the energy conservation features employed in most low energy houses in the Prairie region including airtightness (by application of a vapour barrier), increased thickness of insulation, air-to-air heat exchangers and south-facing windows. Discusses the performance of low energy houses in Saskatoon, and the cost of energy conservation features.

Final Report. An evaluation of the effectiveness of air leakage sealing.

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.

Building energy use compilation and analysis (BECA). Part B - Retrofit of existing North American residential buildings.

BECA-B assesses the technical performance and economics of energy conservation retrofit measures. The data collected represents measured energy savings and retrofit costs for over 65 North American residential retrofit projects. The sample size within each project ranges from individual homes to 33000 dwellings participating in a power company sponsored program. The medium value of space heating energy savings is 24% of the pre-retrofit consumption.

Building energy use compilation and analysis (BECA). Part C - Conservation progress in retrofitted commercial buildings.

Data on energy use was compiled for 223 retrofitted US commercial buildings and analysed for average savings, average retrofit costs, correlation between cost and savings, type of retrofit attempted etc. Dominant building types were schools and offices. Nearly all buildings included operations and maintenance changes as part of the retrofit. 89% of the buildings which saved energy by retrofitting achieved a payback (simple) in less than 3 years. 9% of the buildings failed to save (generally because of improper maintenance). Average savings for the entire sample were 20%.

Thermographic inspection of cavity-wall insulation retrofits.

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

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