The Building Research Establishment is currently investigating the impact of various radon remedies at a radon affected test house. Tests aim to assess how different ventilation strategies affect indoor radon levels and the building environment. Those examined include natural underfloor ventilation, mechanical underfloor ventilation (supply and extract), and whole house pressurisation. The test house has a suspended timber floor with an inaccessible underfloor space and is typical of much of the UK housing stock except for indoor radon levels regularly in excess of 1000Bqm^-3.
A demand controlled ventilation system with humidity as the control parameter was tested in an experimental demonstration project in 16 apartments. In the same housing complex 16 identical apartments with a constant exhaust airflow rate were included in the test as a reference group. The purpose of the study was to investigate whether satisfactory physical health conditions could be reached in the humidity-controlled in apartments, while at the same time reducing the use of energy for heating.
Residential ventilation has at least two energy penalties that must be considered when addressing the ventilation levels recommended in ASHRAE Standard 62. Energy is required to heat the fresh outside air used for ventilation. In cold climates with high heating costs, an air-to-air heat exchanger can lessen the operating expense. Energy is needed for the fan motor used to introduce fresh outside air andlor to exhaust stale indoor air.
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