English

Describes a procedure for measuring the transmission and ventilation heat losses of unoccupied houses and their solar heat gain. Internal temperatures, ventilation rate and weather data are measured. An infrared camera is used todetect both local areas of high transmission heat loss and, together with a slight pressurization of the house, air leakage paths. Gives graphs for calculating the effective solar heating. Notes that results obtained from the tests depend very much on the skill of the people operating the equipment.

Reports heat loss measurements made in an unoccupied house at Kenmay, Scotland. Gives constructional details of this well-insulated house. Reports measurements of energy and temperatures over two heating seasons and short term measurements of ventilation by tracer gas decay method. Finds natural ventilation rate of 0.25 air changes/hour and attributes this to low windspeeds. Compares calculated value of fabric heat loss with measured value and finds good agreement. Finds type of system used, either convective or fan heating has not affected the measured heat loss.

Describes some improvements to existing windows, such as increase of thermal insulation and airtightness, easier handling of windows consisting of separate casements, repairs, maintenance and alterations to be made when old windows are replaced.< In the section dealing with thermal insulation, tests were carried out by installing a third pane in the windows in 10 houses, and by reducing ventilation between the panes in 20 houses.< Repair of some types of damage was observed in some case studies.

The traditional vapour barrier is designed to be a barrier to the diffusion of water vapour. The air-vapour barrier also prevents the natural infiltration of air. Section one of this report discusses air-vapour barriers, the management of air in a tightly sealed house, the positioning of the barrier and testing procedures and standards. Section two gives detailed descriptions and diagrams of the installation of an air-vapour barrier at all parts of a house construction. Includes 123 figures showing precise positioning and installation of the barrier.

Gives a general description of air-to-air heat exchangers. Discusses criteria for measuring the performance of heat exchangers. Briefly discusses factors affecting actual performance. Describes the heat exchanger facility atLawrence Berkeley Laboratory. Reports tests on four commercially available heat exchangers and one home-made exchanger. Gives results of tests of effectiveness and airstream static pressure drop. Concludes that heat exchangers with performance characteristics superior to those tested can be manufactured for a reasonable cost.

Describes some of the problems encountered when the full-scale wind pressure measuring system was set up in an experimental building at the University of Hong Kong. Discusses effects such as excessive damping caused by the air trapped in the pressure- balancing tubings, and the interference between transducers. Describes modifications of the measuring system to overcome these problems.

The Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory measured the indoor air quality at Fairmoor Elementary School in Columbus, Ohio. A mobile laboratory was used to monitor air outdoors and at three indoor sites (two classrooms and a large multipurpose room); tests were made at three different ventilation rates. The parameters measured were outside air flow rates, odor perception, microbial burden, particulate mass, total aldehydes, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone, and nitrogen oxides.

Reviews the ventilation requirements for residential buildings and the recently discovered contaminants of indoor air which will have an influence on the required ventilation rates. Describes methods of measuring air leakage and the rate of air infiltration. Cites work aimed at finding the correlation between air leakage and air infiltration. Outlines the role of heat recovery devices and recommends areas of further research. An appendix reports on a Canadian Mortgage and Housing Association seminar "Controlled ventilation with exhaust air heat recovery for Canadian housing".