English

Describes energy use in Swedish homes from 1963 to 1980 using data assembled and analysed for the first time. Changes in energy use by fuel and purpose before and after the 1973 oil price rise are illustrated and discussed, and savings in space heating in the year 1980, compared with the pre-embargo period, are quantified.

Describes a recent survey of a large ink manufacturing works in an effort to solve thermal comfort problems by improving the ventilation of specific areas of the plant. Six buildings were investigated. Illustrates them diagrammatically and explains the ventilation solutions recommended. Explains the base of the estimated construction and installation costs.

The model of moisture concentrations in a building cavity containing hygroscopic material presented in earlier works is extended to allow for evaporating surfaces within the cavity (eg soil, water tanks) and fluctuating external climatic conditions. Linearized coupled differential equations are solved for three cases - 1. Steady state 2. Step function 3. Periodic climate driving forces. The third case gives formulae predicting the cavity moisture contents at any time of day or year, and shows that the steady state approximation is adequate for all but the tightest cavities.

Presents the results of tests on the air leakage characteristics of a number of different energy conservation products applied to a double hung window. Gives air leakage characteristics under simulated in-situ conditions atvarious wind speeds for the different products. Results show that interior shutters perform best, followed by interior storm windows, a reflective shade, quilts and standard window shades. Within a group, products involving perimeter sealing give the best air leakage characteristics.

Discusses the mechanisms available for "single-sided" ventilation - ie when ventilation is achieved by the exchange of air through windows on one side of a space rather than by cross-ventilation. Describes a simple approach to its prediction based upon a combination of theoretical modelling, wind tunnel testing and tracer gas measurements made in full-scale buildings. Describes wind tunnel and full scale measurements which show the effect of degree of opening, window type and combinations of windows on the magnitude of ventilation rate.

Describes the results of a series of observations of window opening by occupants of 200 small offices in 5 buildings. Shows a high degree of association between the number of windows open and weather-related parameters. Estimated ventilation rates based upon the proportion of windows open, indicate levels substantially in excess of those required for indoor quality control, for a large part of the heating season.

Assesses energy saving as a function of window air tightness, and transforms value into a corresponding U-value. Uses a single-cell infiltration model, and shows that using the U-value is a convenient way of comparing different energy saving methods. As an example, computes the U-value for the windows in a detached single-family house in an urban area and for Gothenburg weather conditions.

Presents preliminary results of a demonstration program on energy retrofits of low-cost housing in the Lombardy Region, with particular reference to retrofit of windows. Energy analysis shows that window retrofits can be very cost-effective, particularly when applied in conjunction with ordinary maintenance operations.

Traces the development in the UK of performance based standards for windows from the original British Standard Draft for Development 4 issued in 1971, through the UEAtc MOAT No1 isued in 1974, to the recent BS No 6375 Part 1 1983. The original three attributes of wind resistance, air permeability andwatertightness have been gradually developed. Test methodology has been refined, and for weathertightness levels of performance have been identified to reflect various categories of use.

Tests of airtightness and raintightness of windows have been carried out continuously at the Swedish National Testing Institute since 1977. As many factors such as size, material, method of opening and type of weatherstrip employed can all vary among windows tested, it is not easy to draw conclusions about the influence of any one factor. Test results for each window are also strongly influenced by the workmanship and quality of the individual window.