European testing programme investigating the operation of an innovative ventilation system for houses in temperate climates

In northern Europe ongoing changes in legislation that require increased levels of insulation,and the sealing of houses to reduce infiltration heat loss, has led to concerns about indoor airquality. As a result there is a need to achieve regulated and energy efficient winter ventilationin houses. The system currently being tested (WHOLE-pvs) in paired (test and control)houses and flats in Denmark, Poland and Ireland uses supply air windows in combinationwith Passive Stack Ventilation. Unlike other methods such as Mechanical Ventilation HeatReclaim which incorporates a constantly running fan, the WHOLE-pvs system is entirelypassive. The pressure drop across the window is provided by the buoyancy and wind effectsdriving the Passive Stack Ventilation, whilst the window acts as a heat reclaim and passivesolar device. The houses will be monitored initially unoccupied, and subsequently used togauge tenants reactions to the system. The work continues from previous studies carried outin test cells and verified by the use of computer simulations. This paper will describe theproject and the houses and some initial findings. The project is being funded by an awardfrom the EU 5th Framework Programme.