Provides a summary of Report IIIc of the overall research project `air change in buildings' undertaken by the EMPA, Switzerland, sponsored by the Swiss Federal Ministry for Environmental Protection. Describes a measurement programme undertaken in an unoccupied single family house built in 1979.
Points of view from Norwegian Building Research Institute resulting from nationwide investigation into building airtightness. Notes significance of airtightness conditions in apartments and single family dwellings.
Reviews factors affecting indoor air quality, including the effect of mildew, high concentrations of microorganisms, radon, light air ions and chemical pollutants(especially formaldehyde). These are mentioned especially inconjunction with airtight residential buildings in Sweden. Current building standards in Sweden concerning materials, airtightness, air quality and energy conservation are also reviewed, along with areas of current and proposed research in air quality.
The use of sealants and gaskets are often recommended as an effective energy saving measure. However, the energy saved depends on the function of building and ventilation as a total system. This paper describes the effect of sealing the outer walls in residential buildings with natural and exhaust ventilation respectively. With natural ventilation, making the walls twice as tight reduces the air exchange by half, whereas with exhaust ventilation the reduction in air exchange is very small.
Measurements have been made of infiltration rates and air leakage characteristics of the building envelope in 38 dwellings all built within the last 20 years and covering a range of construction types. Conventional tracer gas techniques were used (employing nitrous oxide as the tracer) to determine air infiltration rates. Overall leakage characteristics were measured under pressurization using a fan. Some correlation was found between the overall leakage characteristic and the actual infiltration performance of a dwelling.
The purpose of the study was to identify the air tightness levels of a group of 176 houses in Saskatoon, using a pressure test procedure. The houses were categorized according to age, air tightness levels, construction style and contractor. It was found that age was the most significant variable affecting airtightness.
Very little quantative information is available for the amount of air infiltraton in New Zealand houses, but recent measurements by the New Zealand Meteorological Service indicate greater rates in windy conditions then in North America.A tracer gas technique was used in determination of air infiltration, and experimental results from typical New Zealand timber framehouses at several sites are presented.
Presents the results from a comprehensive empirical investigation of 1144 swedish buildings in which energy conservation measures eligible for Government funding assistance have been undertaken.
Reports on an investigation concerning ventilation and energy conservation in dwellings, which was financed by the EEC and the Dutch Ministry for Housing and Public Works. Concludes that:< 1. In single family houses air flow through cracks and joints causes more ventilation then is required.< 2. Flats with more airtight construction provide better control of ventilation.< 3. The amount of wind protection plays a part as important as airtightness.< 4.
Reviews some of the cost effective techniques for energy conservation in new dwellings. Covers site layout and design, insulation of roofs, walls, doors and windows, ventilation control and control of condensation.
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