The energy impact of ventilation on industrial buildings.

A combined thermal and ventilation model has been used to investigate the seasonal variation of air infiltration rates and ventilation heat losses in modern industrial buildings. The model was initially compared to measurements of ventilation rates, temperatures and heating loads in such a building, and was found to agree well. The model was then used to predict infiltration rates, temperatures, ventilation heat losses and space heating loads for a standard heating season for that building. The effects of variation in the building air-tightness, and of the intermittent use of the loading door were also investigated. The results indicated that modern design and construction practices could significantly reduce infiltration, and so reduce energy use.