Natural versus mechanical ventilation: towards sustainability

Brotas, Luisa and Nicol, Fergus (2012) Natural versus mechanical ventilation: towards sustainability. In: 7th Windsor Conference 2012: The changing context of comfort in an unpredictable world, 12-15th April 2012, Windsor, UK.

Abstract

Achieving a pleasant indoor environment with low energy consumption is a major goal of good building design. With high levels of insulation to reduce fabric heat losses, heat loads associated with infiltrations in dwellings in the UK have gone up from one fifth to one third. This has made it imperative to reduce infiltration rates to a minimum consistent with good air quality. There is a trend to promote the use of mechanical ventilation with heat recovery as the way to reduce the heating loads significantly and promote good indoor conditions. But comments given by occupants in Passivhaus expressed concerns that opening windows will result in energy use exceeding required limits. Generally, studies have shown that occupants are not in favour of fully air conditioned or spaces with non-opening windows. This paper looks at the impact on indoor air quality and comfort levels for the occupants of natural and mechanically ventilated spaces. Results from a monitoring survey in dwellings are presented.

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