Describes the Energy Performance Design System (EPDS) which is a simplified procedure for energy analysis based on extensive field testing, laboratory experiments and computer modelling. Provides a simple procedure for designing and evaluating the performance of energy-efficient homes. Describes thedevelopment of the simplified air infiltration model used in EPDS. The starting point for model development was a series of field studies on air infiltration conducted 1978-1981.

Describes a climatic chamber used to measure the concentration of formaldehyde and other volatile substances which may be emitted by furnishing and building materials. The equipment consists of 4 climatic chambers of stainless steel, with a volume of 1.00 m3. The chambers are supplied with air at a constant temperature and constant relative humidity by an air handling installation. This installation can supply air within a temperature interval of 17-27 plus or minus 0.5degrees C, and relative humidity between 30-65% plus or minus 2%.

Sets out the results of research into ventilation and radioactive radiation in 20 private dwellings. All the houses had radon daughter contents in excess of 800 Bq/m3. One of the reasons for these high levels is infiltration of radon from the ground. Tests various methods for tracing the points where radon infiltrates into the house, and proposes measures for reducing the concentration of radon daughter products in the indoor air.

Residential energy consumption can be decreased if air infiltration is reduced. However, reduced air infiltration can lead to problems with indoor air quality (eg excess humidity and high levels of indoor-generated air contaminants.). One sol

BECA-B assesses the technical performance and economics of energy conservation retrofit measures. The data collected represents measured energy savings and retrofit costs for over 65 North American residential retrofit projects. The sample size within each project ranges from individual homes to 33000 dwellings participating in a power company sponsored program. The medium value of space heating energy savings is 24% of the pre-retrofit consumption.

Data on energy use was compiled for 223 retrofitted US commercial buildings and analysed for average savings, average retrofit costs, correlation between cost and savings, type of retrofit attempted etc. Dominant building types were schools and offices. Nearly all buildings included operations and maintenance changes as part of the retrofit. 89% of the buildings which saved energy by retrofitting achieved a payback (simple) in less than 3 years. 9% of the buildings failed to save (generally because of improper maintenance). Average savings for the entire sample were 20%.

States that comparison of different methods of calculating the volumes of outdoor air entering a building through the window shows that the chief deficiency of the standardised method of calculation is neglect of the importance of the relation between building dimensions, the wind profile andthe resulting pressure distribution at the building. Proposes an approximation method which significantly improves the accuracy of the calculation and also permits the calculation of flow through buildings for each possible combination of the factors determining the flow.

Presents the contents of a memorandum of evidence to the Royal Commission of Environmental Pollution. Treats exposure of the community to radiation caused by radon decay products in indoor air, which contributes about a third of the overall effective dose equivalent received annually by an average person in the UK. Treats surveys to improve the estimate of indoor exposure. Discusses the possibility of a radon limitation scheme.

States that draughtproofing offers the shortest payback period of any form of energy conservation. Describes sources of draughts in industrial buildings, including entrance doors, and how heat losses through these can be minimized. Discusses recent developments in the domestic market which have encouraged weatherstripping. Briefly reviews different types of weatherstrip materials and how they should be applied.

Describes several types of door closing or air containment devices for use in industrial buildings, including automatic doors, flexible doors and air curtains. Discusses various forms of air curtain and lists factors that need considering when installing one, such as geographical location, size of door, use of premises, tightness of building etc.