As part of a study by the Building Research Foundation on control methods for the thermal quality of homes, research has been carried out into the usefulness and consequences of a measuring method for the determination of the the airtightness of houses. Airtightness measurements were carried out in sixhouses. Data on occurring ventilation was already available from other research. It appears that the pressurization test for the airtightness of houses can be used to determine the thermal quality of the home.
Measurements were made of the apparent volume flows in the mechanical ventilation system of a block of flats, along with the expected energy arising from domestic ventilation. The aim was to see what energy saving could be obtained by reducing the mechanical ventilation in the block of flats. It was found that this depended on the reaction of the occupants. If they opened an extra vent light for a few hours per day, then the energy losses due toventilation were higher then before the reduction of the mechanical ventilation.
An effective way of reducing the transmission flows through windows during the heating season is to use the air extracted from the room to ventilate the air space between the glazings. The heat transmission coefficient of a ventilated window is between two thirds and one third of that of an unventilated window, and the infiltration heat loss is less. Proposes analytical dependencies and graphs for the determination of the heat transfer coefficient and the temperatures of the panes as a function of the window construction and the heat transfer intensity.
Reviews some of the cost effective techniques for energy conservation in new dwellings. Covers site layout and design, insulation of roofs, walls, doors and windows, ventilation control and control of condensation.
Reports the results of investigations by researchers at the University of Osaka into the air tightness and infiltration rates in houses built with high levels of noise-reducing insulation.
In many buildings the incoming ventilation air causes recirculating airflow. Diagrams show typical examples. The incoming air stream enters below the ceiling level and carries air from the building with it causing air movement greater than th
Lists the factors in a building (condensation, comfort, heat loss etc) which are affected by ventilation, mechanical or natural. Treats the driving forces of air exchange in buildings. Describes the four basic flow phenomena involved in air e
Examines the economic aspects of energy conservation techniques suitable for retrofitting into existing homes. Includes insulation, storm windows and doors, and weatherstripping. The object of this study is to determine that combination of techniques which will maximise net dollar savings in life-cycle operating costs for heating and cooling operations in existing homes, subject to specific climate conditions, fuel costs and retrofitting costs.
The first part of the study describes thermography generally as a method for non-destructive testing of a building envelope for thermal and air tightness properties. The study has resulted in a two stage testing method of which pressurizing is an essential part. The field study has shown that thetwo-stage method is suitable in detection of air leakages, showing that the major part of thermal defects in the building envelope are due to air leakages.
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