Interaction between air infiltration and combustion appliances - validation of a numerical model.

This paper presents some of the early theoretical work conducted within the framework of a research program aimed at analysing the interaction between gas-fired domestic appliances and the indoor environment in terms of energy consumption, indoor air quality and operational safety. A simplified multizone mathematical model has been developed, which is capable of analysing the thermo-fluid dynamics behaviour of the building + appliance + chimney system. A parametric study has been completed which points out the influence of factors such as outdoor temperature, wind speed, spatial distribution of building envelope permeability on the overall system performance.