A ventilation system integrating a buried-pipe technique with multi-purpose windows

This paper introduces a ventilation system that combines buried-pipes with multi-purpose windows with the aim of finding an energy efficient, environment-protecting and low-cost way to improve the indoor environment. In this system, buried pipes serve as air-conditioners and multi-purpose windows serve as draught, sound and heat protective devices, in addition to acting as ordinary windows. Further benefits include protection from noise, dust, and insects as well as protection against intruders, thus providing a safe, healthy and comfortable indoor environment. This paper presents an engineering application of this system, and first elaborates the design and construction, then reports the field tests of the system performance for a typical winter day and a typical summer day. The results of the field tests show that the indoor acoustic environment and index of air changes satisfy the requirements of Chinese residential building codes, and that the indoor thermal environment is comfortable in summer, and acceptable in winter.