Investigations in Denmark show that there are as many as 75 different compounds in indoor air in tight houses including toluene, xylene, and radon. The dust in homes contains a large number of allergically active ingredients, the most important being the dust mite, which occurs in bed clothes.< States that good air quality is therefore difficult to maintain with natural ventilation in new tight houses. If the hygienic demands of this decade increase the need for ventilation, mechanical ventilation seems to stand a good chance.

Shows that the leakage test in most buildings with mechanical ventilation may be performed with the ventilation system itself with only a slight reduction in the accuracy of the measurements. Using fans in the ventilation system, the pressure difference inside/outside may often reach a measurable value of 5-10 pa. If such a pressure difference is not obtained, the leakage exceeds allowable values and the building should be tightened. Before measuring, all of the supply air openings in outer core of the building should be closed and taped. All doors inside the apartment should be open.

The air tightness of buildings is part of an investigation performed by the State Research Centre of Finland. Regulations are being developed in Finland for the maximum allowable leakage in buildings. These can be stated as 0.2 ach/hr for residences, 0.1 ach/hr for low apartment buildings, and 0.2 ach/hr for high rise buildings. Tightness can be measured using a suitable fan connected to a board in a window or door opening, or by thermography.

Gives air leakage measurements which show that improvement of the tightness of the outer core of a building gives an energy saving of 5000 Kw/a in comparison to a conventionally constructed building.< Finds that the most leakage occurs at the joints of walls and ceiling, followed by the breakthrough for electrical wiring, the corners of the buildings, the windows, the joints of wall and floor and the joints of ducts and ceiling.< Older houses in Sweden have approximately the same rate of leakage as in Finland, ie 5-10 changes per hour at 50 pa.

Describes the main energy R and D projects in the building sector which are financed by the Finnish Ministry of Trade and Industry. Projects in the 1970's included improving the air tightness of buildings, and balancing and controlling ventilation systems. Projects started in the 1980's include energy-economic improvement of ventilation and the building envelope, and development of heat pumps.

Abstract of dissertation. Refers to new building regulations, tightness investigations, examples of external wall structures, cellar wall structures.

Discusses air heating and detached houses. Reviews current thinking in Finland and possible developments in Sweden.

Reports on single family dwellings fitted with energy-saving ventilation unit. Quotes energy savings of 10,000 Kwh/annum. Points out that adequate indoor climate can be maintained through tight houses, mechanical ventilation and heat recovery as opposed to airing rooms by opening windows.

Reviews new regulations and their consequences for external wall structures. Considers energy savings, air tightness requirements, U-values, air movement and zone division, heavy and light structures, building classification according to room temperature, incidental heat gains from insolation.

Illustrates the measures which can be carried out on building elements in order to save energy. Describes different methods and states advantages and disadvantages as well as suitable combinations of measures. Includes descriptions of how to improve windows and doors, and a calculation of theenergy conservation measures.