J. Kurnitski, A. Suursoho, J. Palonen
Year:
2003
Bibliographic info:
Healthy Buildings 2003 - Proceedings 7th International Conference (7th-11th December 2003) - National University of Singapore - Vol. 3, pp 375-381, 6 Fig., 2 Tab., .9 Ref.

This study calculates the effect of permeable hygroscopic structures on IAQ and thermalcomfort in a cold climate. Simulations are carried out for a detached house and application ofcriteria for assessment of indoor climate is given. The results show that hygroscopic structuressignificantly decreased the fluctuation of indoor relative humidity. In the winter,hygroscopicity had only minor effect on indoor climate, but in the summer, hygroscopicityhad some effect on thermal comfort, which was improved at lower ventilation rates. In respectof thermal comfort the ventilation rate was a more important factor than hygroscopicity, asthermal comfort was greatly improved at higher ventilation rates. Hygroscopicity improvedconsiderably perceived air quality in the summer when ventilation rate of 6 l/s/person in thenon-hygroscopic case corresponded roughly to 4 l/s/person in the hygroscopic case.