retrofit

Indoor pollutant levels in well-insulated houses are being investigated in a 2-year theoretical and experimental study involving the simultaneous measurement of meteorological variables, air exchange and circulation, and energy consumption. This paper describes concentrations of radon, radon progeny, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides observed in two houses over two seasons, summer and fall 1983. Two companion papers provide a perspective on the problem and the study design, and present results of energy use and infiltration measurements.

As part of a study to evaluate the effects of home weatherization on indoor air quality, a tracer gas method to determine infiltration rates was developed by modifying existing methods to meet several project constraints. A method was needed

Decreased ventilation, achieved by weather stripping and other tightening measures, is the most cost effective way to energy conservation. A very low investment can result in a considerable decrease in ventilation rate. For a typical detached

Air infiltration in two well-insulated houses is being investigated to determine its effect on energy use and indoor air quality. The first paper of this series provides a general perspective on the design. This paper reports on the effect on conservation measures taken, including the installation of an air-to-air heat exchanger, on air exchange and energy use. A third paper presents pollutant measurements and modelling results.

Complaints related to moisture problems in houses which had been air sealed, led to a study of indoor air quality in 20 weatherized demonstration homes in the Cambridge, Ontario area. 

Possible health effects and changes in sensation of comfort among tenants after replacement of single glass windows in leaky frames with double glass windows in airtight frames have been studied. The study design was observational, and included a study group and a corresponding control group. The results indicate essential improvements of the indoor climate and of the health status of the tenants after replacement of the windows (i.e.

A spunbonded polyolefin air infiltration barrier (AIB) was installed immediately beneath the siding of a 5 year old ranch-style house. The AIB reduced the heating energy consumption by 27% during the first heating season and is expected to reduce the heating load by 28% over the remaining life of the house.

Presents results obtained in field studies of control and test houses provided with low cost retrofit infiltration controls. There are significant estimates of average energy savings during both heating and cooling seasons. However, the 95% confidence intervals for the heating season span the origin and theprobability that savings were actually observed is less than 85% for the heating season. The probability that actual savings were measured during the cooling season is >95%.

Presents a study to improve knowledge of the air tightness of the building envelope. The airtightness of buildings was measured by the pressure method and a literature study was carried out of corresponding measurements inScandinavia. The air tightness was measured mainly in timber frame detached houses,in some detached houses of masonry as well as flats. Notes that minorsealing techniques can improve Finnish dwellings, which are leaky compared to Swedish requirements. States that ventilation, heating and air infiltration must be considered together.

Examines the behaviour of buildings with regard to ventilation and air leakage. Calculation of the air leakage of a building involves application of well known and accepted relationships concerning hydrodynamics and aerodynamics. Sets out some elementary cases in order to illustrate thecalculation procedure, and to show the way in which air leakage is dependent on the type of ventilation system in the building.