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A testing program was undertaken at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and an electric utility (Pacific Gas and Electric Co.) to compare the performance of furnace blowers. This laboratory testing program was undertaken to support potential changes to California Building Standards regarding in-field furnace blower energy use. This technical support includes identifying suitable performance metrics and target performance levels for use in standards. Five different combinations of blowers and residential furnaces were tested for air moving performance.

This technical monograph is one of a set produced as part of the ‘REVIVAL’ project – an EU Energie Programme supported demonstration project of energy efficient and sustainable refurbishment of non-domestic buildings in Europe. The monographs explore some of the main energy and comfort issues which arose during the Design Forums held with each of the six sites. The four monographs are entitled: 

This technical monograph is one of a set produced as part of the ‘REVIVAL’ project – an EU Energie Programme supported demonstration project of energy efficient and sustainable refurbishment of non-domestic buildings in Europe. The monographs explore some of the main energy and comfort issues which arose during the Design Forums held with each of the six sites. The four monographs are entitled: 

Venting range hoods are important residential ventilation components that remove pollutants generated by cooking activities and natural gas cooking burners. To address the lack of data on range hood installations in California, we conducted a survey by examining photographs of homes for sale or rent listed on a popular real estate web site. The survey was conducted in November 2010 and April–May 2011.

Cooking of food and use of natural gas cooking burners generate pollutants that can have substantial impacts on residential indoor air quality. The extent of these impacts depends on cooking frequency, duration and specific food preparation activities in addition to the extent to which exhaust fans or other ventilation measures (e.g. windows) are used during cooking. With the intent of improving our understanding of indoor air quality impacts of cooking-related pollutants, we created, posted and advertised a web-based survey about cooking activities in residences.

This report presents results from the first year of a two-year study, investigating associations of five air pollutants (CO, NO2, NOX, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde) with the presence of natural gas appliances in California homes. From November 2011 to March 2012, pollutant concentration and occupant activity data were collected in 155 homes for 6-day periods. The sample population included both single-family (68%) and multi-family (32%) dwellings, with 87% having at least one gas appliance and 77% having an unvented gas cooking appliance.

Background: Residential natural gas cooking burners (NGCBs) can emit substantial quantities of pollutants and they are typically used without venting.

Objective: Quantify pollutant concentrations and occupant exposures resulting from NGCB use in California homes.