English

Suggests methods of conserving energy in new houses. Gives detailed instructions for installing vapour barrier; constructing double stud wall, insulating walls and windows. Also discusses moisture problems and the use of an air-to-air heat exchanger. Outlines other methods of saving energy and waysof refitting an older house.NOTES An updated second edition has been published as "Energy efficient housing - a prairie approach" abstract no.643.

Describes research project to find air leakage values of walls of elevator and stair shafts in order to use these values in the design of pressurization systems. Describes method of test and gives results. Concludes that leakage rates for walls of elevator shafts constructed of masonary units are higher than those of cast-in-place concrete. Variations in the leakage of stair shafts could not be related to the type of wall construction but probably depended on the workmanship in sealing crack openings.

Describes a general model for air infiltration which will accomodate wind pressures, stack effect and ventilation openings provided the vents are either all above or all below their respective neutral pressure levels. States that main innovation of this model is expressing the infiltration as a function of the shell leakage and of the neutral heights of each face.Describes experimental method for finding the neutral pressure level. Gives typical values of parameters for tight mid-westhouses for light and strong wind.

Describes instrumentation used to measure wind pressure on two tall buildings in central London. Describes pressure transducer which gives an electrical output suitable for use in conjunction with standard types of commercial recording equipment. Describes site installation and recording equipment which produces multi-channel records in ultra-violet sensitive photographic paper. The records are processed and digitised and several computer programs have been written to analyse this data.

Outlines a number of experimental approaches for determining the energy consumption of a building, with emphasis on air infiltration. The combined use of depressurization of the house and infrared scan permits the location of "bypass" vents through which warm air is leaving the structure. Describes several types of bypasses and evidence for their widespread existance is documented. Discusses the side effects of retrofitting these and other energy loss sites with regard to fire safety, air quality and moisture.

Gives theoretical justification for the use of tracer gas method for measuring air infiltration. Describes automated instrumentation system using sulphur hexafluoride as a tracer gas. The system consists of an electron capture detector, an automation unit, an SF6 storage and injection panel, a cassette recorder and corresponding plumbing and tanks. Gives examples of field use of system.

States that much of the heat loss in American houses can be traced to generic faulty details in design and construction. Discusses style of housebuilding in the United States. Notes vast majority of American houses were built of wood. gives a broad classification of typical houses into seven types. Notes variation in energy performance with climatic region. States intention to undertake case studies to assess the energy performance of each type.

A sequel to the report "Air leakage through the openings in buildings", abstract. no 286. Reports investigation of the effect on air leakage of increasing the clearance around a sash window. Gives results of experiments in the form of graphs showing leakage for different wind velocities, different clearances, and with and without weatherstripping.

Describes apparatus used to measure air leakage through windows. Gives details of windows with and without weatherstripping. Gives results in the form of graphs in two sections. 

The amount of air leakage through window gaps in buildings depends on the width and length of the gaps, the pressures across the buildings and the resistances in the air circuit. Reviews the ranges of these factors for Britain and gives results of measurements within these ranges for standard metal and wooden windows and for weather-stripped windows. Gives two methods of estimating the air flow through gaps in complete windows.