English

Compares the air change rates measured using the decay method with several different tracer gases. Tracer gas measurements were conducted in a tightly sealed room where constant air leakage rates were maintained using an exhaust fan. Tracer gases investigated were CH4, CO, CO2, N2O and SF6. Agreement between tracer gas measurements and measured flow rates of the exhaust fan was very good for CH4, CO and N2O. The agreement was also satisfactory for CO2 and SF6, but the scatter in tracer gas data was much greater then it was for the other three gases.

Describes "house doctoring", a combination energy audit and energy-saving retrofit procedure developed at LBL and Princeton University. House doctoring analyzes areas of energy loss, and locates and eliminates air infiltration sites by using special diagnostic equipment, such as the "blower door" forpressurisation tests. The first part of the manual provides an introduction and overview of house doctoring, including the nature of heat loss in buildings and the tools and techniques used to reduce it.

Gives a detailed description of 3 types of external shutters that were designed for 3 of 6 proto-type low energy houses at Hjortekaer Denmark. Seals were made, and shown to be efficient by measurements of infiltration air change rates and results from pressurization tests. Verifies the thermal performance of the shutters by thermal calibration, and finds a good agreement between the measured and calculated heat losses. This forms a basis for an estimate of the annual energy savings obtained by the use of shutters - about 800-2000 Kwh/y.

Uses mathematical models for formaldehyde concentrations in 3 normal rooms in a single family house to estimate ventilation rates needed to maintain the formaldehyde concentration below the Danish recommended indoor standard (0.15 mg/m*3). It appears that in an initial period after the house is finished, a ventilation rate more than 10 times the recommended Scandinavian value (0.5air changes/hr) is needed to keep the concentration below the indoor standard.

Distinguishes the problems of designing natural ventilation systems for summer and winter conditions and discusses in detail the objectives, methods and some field studies directed towards the solution of winter ventilation problems.< Describes experimental work conducted in a low-energy house equipped with adjustable slot ventilators in the window frames. Both tracer gas decay methods and pressurization tests indicate similar increases of air flow when the ventilators are opened.

Describes a window opening survey concerned with identifying the objective correlates of window opening. Finds that the variation between households in terms of their total daily window opening is greater than that within households. Householders may adopt consistent window opening patterns. Hypothesises that although window opening is primarily a function of external air temperature, relative humidity and windspeed are influential at high values.

Outlines ventilation needs to show that odour dilution and moisture control are the major winter factors. Detailed studies on 24 well insulated houses show that window opening habits are clearly linked to outdoor temperature, more windows being opened in milder weather.< Shows from energy input analysis that space heating only provides a quarter of the total heat, the remainder coming from casual sources. Analysis of energy loss suggests that a third of the losses are attributable to ventilation, the remainder through the building fabric.

Describes a programme of ventilation measurements performed on a group of energy efficient houses built in the mid-1970's and situated in Abertridwr, S.Wales. Pressurization, tracer decay and British Gas autovent techniques were employed. Results show satisfactory whole-house ventilation rates (0.5 ac/h), but the living room and bedrooms had very low ventilation rates. Some cases showed serious condensation. "Trickle" ventilation installed in 18 of the houses improved internal ventilation patterns and condensation levels were substantially reduced.

Traces the relationship between ventilation needs and methods and the growth of civilization. Describes the development of ventilation methods and assessment of air quality, especially since the Industrial Revolution. Questions whether currently accepted ventilation criteria are still valid, andsuggests that ventilation is only one of several means of ameliorating the internal environment.

Describes a simple method of controlled ventilation comprising an extract system and air inlets. The extract system is effectively a flue connecting to vents in the kitchen and bathroom and relying on thermal differences and the wind to create air flow, air enters the house via slot vents over windows. Theproposed system has been installed in a timber framed house.