Energy-related variables were monitored in six detached houses in Winnipeg, Manitoba, before and after the houses were retrofitted by re-insulating the exterior walls and ceiling, or walls only, with blown loose-fill glass-fibre or cellulose
Knowledge of the air change in dwellings under conditions of use is a prerequisite for the calculation of energy consumption and for evaluation of a dwelling's indoor climate. Air change was measured in a total of 25 occupied dwellings over a
Measurements were carried out on the heating and airing habits of the occupants of several flats. 9 flats in a 6 storey building in Berlin, using various ventilation systems were studied. Two of the flats also had an air heating system.
In this demonstration project the energy consumption, temperature and humidity curves, and occupancy behaviour are measured, registered and evaluated in 8flats with air infiltration and ventilation as stated in VDI 2088 in thecentre of a block. These are compared with the other 16 flats in the block. Results of the first tests are presented.
Various ventilation systems have been examined in unoccupied test houses under natural climatic conditions. Two identical test houses were used to enable comparison of the effects of different ventilating systems on the air change rate and heat consumption. The systems examined were natural ventilating devices placed in the window area and centralized and decentralized mechanical systems. With the decentralized systems, draughts were generally unavoidable. Heat recovery from exhaust air at an air change rate of 1.0 h-1 gave a measured heat consumption saving of about 16 per cent.
Over a one-year period, measurements were taken of air temperature, air humidity, ventilation rate, concentration of organic gases and vapours, formaldehyde and odour intensity in a small unfurnished bedroom in each of 6 new unoccupied low energy houses. The indoor climate was on average characterized by an air temperature of 24.7 plus or minus 3 degrees C, and an air humidity of 5.9 plus or minus 2.0 g/kg. Ventilation in each room was between 0.79 and 2.92 air changes per hour. On average 14 different compounds were identified in the samples, a total of 23 compounds being identified.
Summarizes the main results of the seminar: 1 interdisciplinary collaboration is necessary, 2 a direct and intensive publicity campaign is needed to influence occupant behaviour, 3 an air change rate between 0.5 and 1 per hour (in relation to the total volume of the living quarters) should comply with normal requirements, 4 a method for measuring the airtightness or air change rate for individual buildings should be developed ready for application, 5 mechanical ventilation offers the best solution, 6 there exists a need for simple ventilation fittings which can be installed in existing buil
Discusses levels of radon commonly found, the limits fixed by Sweden for buildings, and the health effects of these levels. The three main sources of radon are domestic water, building materials and the ground, with the ground being the most important element. Radon values for different soils in Sweden are given as illustration. COSTIC is planning to study the most susceptible zones of France, and to follow this with recommendations, including minimumair change rates.
Describes a procedure for the approximate determination of air infiltration for a single family house for given weather conditions. To carry out the calculation it is only necessary to measure the permeability of the building envelope using a blower door. The calculation procedure is so straightforward that it can be carried out on a programmable pocket calculator. Refers to a comparative study by the Air Infiltration Centre, which found that the calculation model described gave the best results of any single cell model for all the houses investigated.
The installation of much tighter windows has led to reduced rates of natural ventilation in German dwellings. This has resulted in increased indoor air humidity and condensation formation on the inner surfaces of external building elements with thermal bridges. Notes the areas most at risk from condensation and mould, in particular corners of outside walls and along the ceiling angle.
Login