English

Describes elements of the 'Building America' initiative, a federally sponsored initiative that has as its goal to persuade production builders (100 plus homes a year) to build more energy efficient and durable homes. Some 'volume builders' in America build more than 20,000 homes a year. It is difficult to persuade buyers to invest in energy efficient homes. Many mechanical contractors fit two furnaces in unconditioned space, because duct runs are easier to install.

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.

Describes a recently developed technology from California which provides a way to duct seal installed residential systems in two to three hours. The Aeroseal technology uses a fan to blow a small quantity of dry adhesive particles through the temporarily seald duct system. With registers and the furnace blocked, the suspended sticky particles travel in the airflow toward the only place left for the air to exit - the cracks and leaks. As the air stream turns sharply through leaks, the particles are deposited directly on the edges of holes to create seals.

Moulds are a health concern. High levels of moulds in a building environment are to be avoided. Some species or high concentrations of mould are a serious health risk, and must be dealt with if we want to maintain healthy indoor environments. Gives New York City remediation guidelines, and lists methods to control mould growth: 1) Repair indoor and outdoor water leaks, 2) Clean and disinfect smooth surfaces, 3) Clean and dry other materials or remove them, 4) Discard porous contaminated materials, 5) Control moisture sources (e.g.

Describes an investigation of the indoor air quality of a music company at their New York City office. The office was on the 31st floor of a block. Recommendations for producing better IAQ were as follows: 1) Recalibrate return airflows where needed to harmonise them with the values specified in the HVAC system design. At the same time verify and adjust airflows from the supply-air diffusers. The amount of outdoor air should comply with the ASHRAE Standard 62.1-1999 industry guideline of 20 ft2 per person per minute in offices.

The environment demands clean and energy efficient processes. At the same time, higher demands are being placed on thermal comfort, whilst we are also interested in how climate control equipment will behave over time - for instance in terms of reliability and control. The only way to meet all these needs is to use dynamic simulation. The Climasim project strives to develop a simulation platform that will allow several different building services components to be linked together to form climate control units. This services model can then be coupled to a building model.

Describes how engineers retrofitted a modern heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, controls and other energy saving modifications into a neoclassic 19th century building. The problems involved preserving the building's appearance, working while the occupants were present and difficulties in modifying occupant behaviour by means of memoranda to instruct them about how to produce maximum energy savings and indoor environmental comfort.

Intelligent buildings integrate ecological, economical and ergonomical aspects. The aim is the creation of a high application quality at a low energy consumption and CO2 emission. The ventilation and air conditioning especially has to meet high requirements.

This paper presents the result of a research carried out on the valuation method of ductworks hygienic condition. Both the methodology and the results of the samplings carried out on the HVAC systems of ten hospitals are presented. For every HVAC system the following characteristics have been checked: typological and building features, air filters characteristics and maintenance programmes. Upon inspections openings carrying out, air dust concentration, dust on the duct surface, total and specific microbial concentration from the outdoor air inlet to the air intake have been sampled.

This document, which is part of a public survey, was produced by the work group set up in co-operation with Aicarr to support the Technological Group of the 'Indoor' Technical and Scientific Committee of the Prevention Department of the Health Ministry. The document's objective is singling out the system requirements for smoking areas in premises for public use.