The ventilation effectiveness concept has been extensively used in research, where it has long been recognised as a good indicator of air quality. Also, there are many examples of its parameters having been measured as an aid to monitoring the air quality in completed buildings, usually to solve an air quality problem. However, despite their value as a predictor of the air quality to be achieved by an air distribution system, ventilation effectiveness parameters are rarely used in design.

The ventilation in Norwegian residences was studied with respect to the effect of new standards, construction techniques adopted, and energy conservation measures implemented  This was compared to residential ventilation performance in other countries with a similar climate. The effective total air change rate (h-1) in 344 residences was measured with a passive tracer gas method known as the perfluorocarbon tracer gas method (PFT-method). The measurements were performed over a 14-day integrated sampling period.

mechanical ventilation is needed to avoid indoor air quality problems. Many new conventional houses have low natural air change rates ...... and are tight enough to require mechanical ventilation, but most have none.

NatVent™ is a European JOULE project that has studied ways of 'Overcoming technical barriers to low energy natural ventilation in office-type buildings in moderate and cold climates'. A consortium of nine partners across seven countries - Great Britain, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Switzerland - carried out this project. It set out to:

The Doxford Solar Office is claimed to be the first in Europe with an integrated photovoltaic facade and an holistic energy strategy. How has the building performed since completion?