Frequently Asked Questions

This section answers some frequently asked questions for those who require a background knowledge to ventilation.

As an additional reading, the AIVC suggests its’ handbook, "A Guide to Energy Efficient Ventilation", which reviews ventilation in the context of achieving energy efficiency and good indoor quality.

Can we use ventilation with outdoor air during high pollution events outdoors?

Is there good evidence that germicidal UV (GUV) could be beneficial for decontamination of infectious aerosols in occupied environments?

Should I close my bathroom window due to SARS-COV-2?

How to use the openable windows to provide sufficient ventilation to limit SARS-CoV-2 transmission in class rooms?

What air change rate one can expect when a window is open in a room with doors closed?

What is the energy impact of building airtightness?

What does SARS-CoV-2 teach us about building ventilation? Why should we care about it when there is a vaccine?

What are the most common air leakage/infiltration paths?

What is the impact of a poor ductwork airtightness on the SARS-CoV-2 infection risk?

What information does the AIVC provide about COVID-19?

Does transport of air from one room to another room play a role in relation to COVID-19?

What is the energy impact of ductwork airtightness?

How long should a room be ventilated after occupation to reduce the concentration of infectious aerosols?

Is ventilation the same as air movement in relation to COVID-19?

Can building’s ventilation substitute mask wearing and social distancing while preventing COVID-19 transmission?

How much ventilation is needed to limit COVID-19 aerosol-based transmission?

Can air infiltration provide sufficient air supply with respect to COVID-19?

Are COVID-19 recommendations of REHVA and ASHRAE similar?

Can a measured CO2 concentration show a building is SARS-CoV-2 safe?

Can portable air cleaners prevent the spread of COVID-19 indoors?

What is infiltration?

What is ventilation?

What is smart ventilation?

When Is Ventilation Not Appropriate?

How Much Ventilation Is Needed?

Can Ventilation Energy Loss Be Avoided or Recovered?

Is There a Relationship Between Ventilation and Health?

How Do Ventilation Needs and Strategies Differ According to Building Type?

Can Ventilation be Used for Cooling?

What is Ventilation Efficiency?

What Calculation Techniques are Available?

How Does Ventilation Work?

Why is Ventilation Needed?

How Polluted Can a Building Become?

How is the building airtightness quantified?

What is the Energy Impact of Ventilation?

What Is the Relationship Between Ventilation Rate and Odour?

How is Ventilation Provided?

How Is the Choice of Ventilation Influenced By Climate and Local Environment?

Can Outdoor Air be Cleaned?

What Measurement Techniques are Available?

What Units are Used for Ventilation and Air Infiltration?

Is there a glossary of ventilation and infiltration terms ?

What is building airtightness?

What is ductwork airtightness?

What is a Blower Door?

What does the n50 value mean?

What are existing methods to estimate building airtightness? Are there other test methods apart from fan pressurization?

Is building airtightness testing mandatory?

How is the ductwork airtightness quantified?

How to implement tight ductwork

How is a ductwork airtightness test performed?

How do you design for ductwork airtightness?

What is the impact of wind on building airtightness test?

What are the methods to detect leaks of the building envelope?

What is the way to get a good airtightness of the building (from contractor to craftsman)?

What is the relationship between pressure and leakage air flow rate?

What do we know about the durability of building airtightness?

What is the impact of pressure drop on the result of ductwork airtightness test?

What are the impacts of poor envelope airtightness on ventilation, indoor air quality and building damage?

Is it possible to improve the airtightness of a ductwork after completion?

What is the impact of duct leakage on comfort, ventilation, indoor air quality and fire security?