Describes research work in Finland concerning air infiltration and ventilation in buildings from 1979. Types of ventilation system in finnish houses, flats and other buildings are discussed. Reports on a model developed to predict the correlation between various factors and air infiltration. Gives a summary of pressure test measurements carried out in a few hundred small houses, and presents proposals for recommended airtightness levels in new buildings. Describes warm air heating systems, heat recovery systems in flats, and maintenance problems with ventilation systems.
Discusses the problem of formaldehyde emissions from UF resins used in particle board in North America. Describes tests done by Forintek Canada Corp to monitor formaldehyde emission. One of the experiments involves a test chamber with a controlled air change rate and designed to imitate domestic conditions. Air samples are withdrawn from the chamber through impingers containing distilled water which is analyzed for formaldehyde content. Also describes the 'Dessicator' and 'Perforator' methods of measuring formaldehyde emission.
Presents results obtained in field studies of control and test houses provided with low cost retrofit infiltration controls. There are significant estimates of average energy savings during both heating and cooling seasons. However, the 95% confidence intervals for the heating season span the origin and theprobability that savings were actually observed is less than 85% for the heating season. The probability that actual savings were measured during the cooling season is >95%.
Describes trials undertaken by BRE and ECRC at Inverclyde to test small domestic electric dehumidifiers in council houses. Assesses 3 types of machine, selected to give a range of extraction rates from 1-4 kg per day. These were supplied free of charge and the running costs reimbursed. Shows that the equipment did lower the moisture levels in the houses satisfactorily. Preliminary analysis of results show that the early BRE model predicting moisture and ventilation interactions work well.
Energy is consumed in heating the air infiltrating into houses maintained at temperatures above ambient. By using climatic data tapes and a daily profile for indoor temperature of a house, it is possible to calculate factors, which in conjunction with a relationship between air change rate and wind speed enable the energy consumption due to infiltration to be calculated on amonthly basis. This has been done for Melbourne, Australia and the factors tabulated on a monthly, annual and heating season (April Nov) basis.
Although indoor pollution is a greater problem than outdoor pollution, much less research has been devoted to it. Describes the sick building syndrome and an experiment (as distinguished from an opinion poll), comparing a diagnosed sick and a clean modern Swedish preschool. Forty eight previously unexposed subjects were tested in two buildings for two days, and the effect of the exposure was assessed.
Waste air windows protected by intermediate louvres show the share of absorption in the transmission coefficient to be dependent upon the air throughput through the window. To calculate it, a general solution is given. Practical calculation is simplified by graphs established for two common louvre designs in two, three and four-pane windows.
Discusses the Swedish trend to build super insulated nearly airtight dwellings. Mentions problems encountered in tight buildings, such as severe ground floor condensation and mould growth. Shows the importance of the vapour barrier in preventing condensation. Compares exhaust and balanced ventilation systems in tight houses. States that sealing houses in Sweden is costeffective, partly because of an integrated approach to incorporating energy saving features in new housing.
Presents pressure tests pre and post retrofit for several groups of North American houses which have been sealed to reduce air leakage. This summarizes research carried out in Canada and the USA over the last few years. Briefly discusses test procedures used.
Reviews recent research in residential infiltration with an analysis of how the results are utilized in the design-build process. Identifies component testing as the research area most applicable to practical application efforts. Provides component and assembly test data. Discusses the need to reorient certain research efforts to more practically meet the needs of the residential industry. Presents clarifications and extensions of recently published work on component leakge.
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