bedroom

A total of 177 measurements have been performed in apartments in multi-story buildings without mechanical ventilation. The buildings comprised renovated and non-renovated buildings built between 1930 and 1960. Measurements of air change rate and relative humidity have been performed using passive measurement techniques including a passive multiple tracer gas technique, the so-called PFT-technique. In each apartment the main bedroom has been investigated separately. In addition, the occupants completed a questionnaire concerning their use of the dwelling.

Measurements of air change rates, carbon dioxide concentrations, room air temperatures and relative room air humidities in bedrooms of five well tightened dwellings were carried out in October 1989. With the results of the measurements and also based on simulation calculations, recommendations for an optimal window opening behaviour in bedrooms with the intention of saving energy and of providing sufficient indoor air quality were made.

During winter periods in four types of newly built terraced dwellings and in apartments of a flatbuilding,the daily behaviour and motivations of the inhabitants with respect to airing and ventilation have been studied. In total the information was obtained from 279 households. A combination of verbal interviews, diaries and technical measurements are used as methods of investigation. On basis of the findings,calculations can be made about air flows in occupied dwellings.

The paper describes the main results from a research project performed by "The Mobile Laboratory of Indoor Climate Measurements" one of the five mobile laboratories of the Institute. The aim of the project was to investigate if undesirable consequences occurred in the indoor climate when using an energy saving method consisting of reducing the mechanical exhaust from the "wet rooms" to app. 40 per cent of the normal performance during 12 hours of day and night.