A self administrated questionnaire was mailed to over 300 dwellings in blocks of flats usingthe wall exhaust. In almost all the dwellings there was a controllable ventilation unit. Theunits were either a mechanical exhaust ventilation system type with outdoor air inlets ormechanical supply and exhaust ventilation system with heat recovery and outdoor air intakeon the wall. In the questionnaire, the daily use of ventilation unit, noise levels as well as odorsand their sources in the dwellings were asked.
The purpose of the study was to measure the performance of natural ventilation in 5- and 9- storey apartment buildings, and to offer solutions for the improvement of ventilation. In the four most common building types, the functioning of the old ventilation system was measured during a spring and summer period. The economically feasible improvement solutions, as installing the auxiliary fans and mechanical exhaust ventilation, were analysed with measurements and calculations. The old natural ventilation system with stacks and leaky windows can maintain a certain basic level of ventilation.
This article describes the retrofitting of a five-family apartment building, implemented as a pilot and demonstration project for the Swiss Federal Office of Energy. The fact that this building on Mutschellenstrasse in Zurich is a listed building, imposes restrictions to the retrofitting process. However, the cellar ceiling, the roof and part of the building facade have been insulated, new windows have been installed and three apartments have been fitted with a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery. Heating is provided by heat pumps.
This study aimed to research the airtightness of the building envelope in apartments before and after renovation. Measurements were carried out in three apartment buildings. One to four apartments were examined in each building. Typical renovation measures included changing the windows and refurbishing the interior surfaces. In some cases the ventilation system was renovated as well. No special emphasis was placed on the sealing of the envelope. The airtightness of the apartments increased in most cases. There were, however, apartments that became leakier during the renovation.
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