Most dwellings in the United States are ventilated primarily through leaks in the building shell (i.e., infiltration) rather than by whole-house mechanical ventilation systems. Consequently, quantification of envelope air-tightness is critical to determining how much energy is being lost through infiltration and how much infiltration is contributing toward ventilation requirements. Envelope air tightness and air leakage can be determined from fan pressurization measurements with a Blower Door. Tens of thousands of unique fan pressurization measurements have been made of U.S.
An environmental prototype, single family dwelling has been constructed on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. The project was an attempt to produce a house that represents the best practice in the environmental design of a new house. A holistic environmental assessment is being undertaken on the house, post-construction. This paper presents the methodology underlying that assessment. The aim of the assessment is to produce data that will represent a high level of environmental performance in the house design.
The paper traces the paradigm changes for house design in warm-humid climates, from the preference for traditional elevated, lightweight, ventilated buildings, through the advocacy for heavy construction, to the present conclusion that both can be equally good. The extension of selection criteria is suggested, to include psychological factors, which seem to favour the lightweight, cross-ventilated buildings. The success of these depends on the cooling effect of air movement, hence an attempt is made to quantify this effect.
Discusses the importance of R-2000 homes in the light of renewed concerns about energy costs. States that they are healthier, more comfortable and quieter than standard houses. Scientific studies by Health Canada comparing the health of residents in new R-2000 homes with those living in standard new construction show that there is a measurable improvement inthe health of the residents of the R-2000 homes. Gives calculations for a typical new house in various parts of Canada, compared with R-2000 construction, covering design heat loss, electrical energy cost and natural gas cost.
The project is a survey of 12 'off-grid' households across Canada. The objective was to document off-grid energy use and lifestyle patterns to determine if there are lessons or examples of energy conservation that apply to conventional grid-connected houses. The houses operate on systems using renewable energy as the primary source of electricity. An airtightness test was performed on 10 houses (two houses were not viable for testing because of renovations).
The study was initiated to evaluate effects of automotive emissions from attached garages on the indoor environment in Canadian single-detached houses and the impact on occupants' health. This work consisted of testing a total of 25 houses in the Ottawa area to characterize the extent of leakage between the attached garages and houses. The selected houses were from various age groups, styles and types of attached garages. The study found that most of the air leaks from the garage were found to be leading into the basement.
Describes how home performance contractors in New York are able to partner up to benefit from the US Energy Star program. Homeowners can elect to have a comprehensive package of building performance work done on their home by a certified contractor through this new state initiative. Many homes suffer from unnecessary health, safety and comfort problems due to improperly installed mechanical systems, inadequate insulation levels, and uncontrolled air infiltration.
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