Ventilation systems in dwellings should not only maintain the quality of the air, in other words limit pollutant concentration whatever the origin, but protect the structure, that is, limit condensation and the storage of excessive humidity in existing materials. Domestic ventilation represents a significant element of energy loss. It is a function that should be provided at minimum cost in terms of energy and therefore be directly dependent on fresh air requirements. Hence the introduction on the market af socalled hygro-adjustable ventilation systems.
This paper reports the results of humidity and ventilation measurements in occupied residential buildings to study the effect of airborne moisture movement on condensation risks. The dwellings have been fitted with a cooker hood and an extractor fan (both with variable speed control) in the kitchen and an extractor fan in the bathroom.
This report presents the results from the registration throughout a month of relative humidity, temperature and outdoor air exchange as well as the concentration of carbon dioxide in each room of an inhabited single family house, in which all rooms are ventilated by a mechanical balanced ventilation system with variable air volume. The outdoor air rate is controlled by the relative humidity, which is kept on a value adequate to reduce the living conditions for house dust mites and prevent condensation on the indoor surfaces of the building.