Analysis of ventilation systems in high performance homes in cold climates

The performance of three different ventilation systems in cold climate homes is discussed. Comparisons are presented of monitored datasets by contrasting operations of the three ventilation systems, the energy impacts on the overall HVAC systems, and resulting indoor environmental conditions. Whole building simulation results, based on ventilation system models using EnergyGauge and validated in part by the monitored datasets, provide normalized comparisons of HVAC system energy use. Finally, the economics of the three ventilation system approaches are discussed based on representative installed equipment costs and energy prices, so practitioners from policymakers, code developers, builders, on down to homeowners better understand the first and operating cost tradeoffs.