The economics of retrofitting existing homes in Western Canada.

Presents the results of an energy-efficiency survey of 25 homes located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Insulation levels in the walls, ceilings and basements were measured and the economics of adding insulation to these areas were investigated. Air leakage of the houses was measured using a pressure test and compared with infiltration rates measured using tracer gas in fourhouses.< Concludes that a major portion of the heat loss (30-40%) in the average home was due to excessive infiltration.

CAFE - A computer program to calculate the flow environment.

CAFE is a suite of computer programs, developed by Atkins Research and Development, to solve engineering problems involving fluid flow and heat transfer. Based on a finite difference method, its main advantage over other programs is its generality, which enables problems requiring a variety of different boundary conditions to be studied.< Describes the mathematical formulation of the program and its major features. Gives examples of its application including modelling the ventilation of a building to reduce concentrations of dangerous gases.

A computer model for analysing smoke movement in buildings.

Describes the computer program developed for the Fire Research Station by Scientific Control Systems Ltd. to predict the movement of smoke from a fire in a building. This can be run ineither deterministic or stochastic modes.< Explains the physical model used to describe the movement of smoke through a building and outlines the computer technique used to solve the resulting equations. Presents some preliminary results obtained with the model and considers possible improvements. Discusses applications of the model.

Forced ventilation for cooling attics in summer.

The potential for air conditioning energy savings using exhaust fans to cool attics was investigated in six occupied townhouses at Twin Rivers. These houses were compared with similar houses without attic fans. The houses had various levels of instrumentation. Data collected for two summer months in 1977 was the basis for this study. The principal quantities measured were attic and living space temperatures, air conditioner and attic fan usage,together with outside air temperature and solar flux.

Studies and improvements to an air infiltration instrument.

Describes an instrument for the measurement of air infiltration into buildings. The instrument indicates the concentration of a tracer gas in the building, by sensing the thermal conductivity of the air-tracer gas mixture.< The instrument, a Katharometer, has not been extensively used because of inherent difficulties. This thesis examines the dificulties. An analysis of the theoretical basis of the instrument is made and the problems created by changes of relative humidity, pressure and temperature are discussed and solutions are suggested.

Pressure distributions on buildings in atmospheric shear flows.

Reports a program of research in progress at the Colorado State University to determine the surface pressures on building models immersed in a simulated atmospheric flow. Pressure data on a model building is taken from 272 tappings and reduced to pressure coefficients. Reports pressure coefficient measurements have been completed for 23 building/boundary layer combinations.

Relative tightness of new housing in the Ottawa area.

Reports a series of tests of the air leakage of new homes built and sold in the Ottawa area in 1978. The homes were tested by depressurizing them to apressure difference of 10 Pascals. 80 tests were made involving 63 houses and 9 builders. The relative tightness of a house was defined as the volume rate of infiltration under 10 Pa divided by the area of the building envelope that separates the heated volume from outside conditions. Gives results with relative tightness of each house.

The open ridge as a ventilator in livestock buildings.

The open ridge is a ventilator commonly used in cattle buildings. Reviews literature on the open ridge. Finds that there is outright disagreement between the sources referenced. Describes wind tunnel study to show whether or not the ridge design could influence the pressure coefficients when subject to wind. Finds there is no practical difference in pressure coefficients generated at the ridge of a building whether there are no upstands, upstands alone or with caps. For a 0deg.

Natural ventilation - its role and application in the bio-climatic system.

Discusses the mechanisms of natural ventilation. Gives equations for stack effect and ventilation due to wind. Discusses use of natural ventilation in livestock buildings. Shows how minimum and maximum ventilation rates for winter housed cattle can be calculated using physiological data and a model for calculating the critical temperatures. Gives sample calculation of the ventilation rate necessary for beef cattle housed in a 9m. wide building.

A computer program for the calculation of natural ventilation due to wind.

Presents a simple model for the calculation of wind induced ventilation. The model requires as input, pressure coefficient data, wind direction, and the open areas for each element of the building. Gives an example of the model applied to a model livestock building. Gives flow chart and listing of computer program. Note model does not include temperature effects.

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