insulation

The sound insulation provided by similar types of windows varies considerably. This paper describes experiments on a number of elements which affect sound insulation, including the sealing of openable panes, the type of frame material, the size of the window panes, and the spacing of panes in multiple pane systems. It identifies the main factors and lists the potential insulation values for various types of window. This paper will be of interest to architects, planners and acoustic consultants.

Ventilation is necessary to provide a good indoor air quality to occupants in office buildings but is however a major energy consumer. In that manner, ventilation in itself can contribute to much more than 50% of the energy consumption for heating in well insulated office buildings. Likewise, the general trend in standards to augment ventilation requirements would still increase its energy costs. Thus, it seems obvious that an intelligent control of ventilation in office building allows to obtain substantial reductions of energy consumption.

This paper describes an experimental investigation into the operation of a modified Trombe wall. The construction has been altered to include a layer of insulation material; two alternative positions for this insulation layer have been considered and tested. Air flow from the top of the Trombe wall has also been enhanced by the inclusion of a low power axial flow fan which was controlled to function dependent on measured temperature in the wall cavity.