The BR E has developed a set of computer-based tools for the management of heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems. How can designers and facilities managers use them to improve the performance of buildings?

Developed by Conserval Engineering of Toronto, Canada, the Solarwall™ is a solar system for heating ventilation air for buildings. The Solarwall looks like conventional metal cladding, but performs like a solar panel.Matrix Energy Inc. of Montreal, in partnership with Conserval, installed the Solarwall system at Bombardier's Canadair facility in Montreal, Quebec. The installation paid for itself in energy savings in just 1.7 years, and allowed the company to stop using fossil fuels, with their associated emissions.

This Technical Report has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/fC 1 56, Ventilation for buildings. This Technical Report is intended to assist in providing an acceptable indoor environment for people in ventilated buildings.This Technical Report specifies the requirements for, and methods of expressing the quality of the indoor environment for the design, collllllissioning, operation and control of ventilation and airconditioning systems. This Technical Report covers indoor environments where the major concern is the hwnan occupation but excludes dwellings.

ASHRAE has long been in the business of ventilation, but most of the focus of that effort has been in the area of commercial and institutional buildings. Residential ventilation traditionally was not a major concern because it was felt that between operable windows and envelope leakage, people were getting enough air. In the quarter of a century since the first oil shock, houses have become much more energy efficient. At the same time, the kinds of materials and functions in houses were changing in character in response to people's needs.