Diurnal and seasonal variation in air exchange rates and interzonal airflows measured by active and passive tracer gas in homes

Bekö, Gabriel; Gustavsen, Sine; Frederiksen, Marie; Bergsøe, Niels Christian; Kolařík, Barbara; Gunnarsen, Lars; Toftum, Jørn; Clausen, Geo

doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2016.05.016

Cited by 61 publications

(50 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…By comparison, in the winter occupied period, and in the vacant periods for both seasons, the air change rates were smaller and no prominent diel variation was observed. Stronger diel variation in summer was reported by Bekö et al in their study of 5 residences across 4 seasons …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 61%

“…Specifically, the 5th percentile values were similar, but the 95th percentile differed by a factor of 2. Other studies in residences have also reported higher air change rates in summer than in winter …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 73%

“…Although not explored here, other detailed house opening parameters, such as the size and position of openings, might make additional contributions to the observed air change rates. Previous studies have suggested that the window‐opening behavior of occupants influenced air change rates in occupied residences, but quantitative characterization was limited to the effect of opening 1 window . The results reported here are the first quantitative evaluation over time of periodically opening multiple windows and doors in occupied residences during normal occupancy.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 88%

“…Earlier time‐resolved measurements were used to evaluate relationships between infiltration rates and meteorological conditions, primarily wind speed and indoor‐outdoor temperature difference . More recently, long‐term observations have suggested that the behavior of occupants, in particular in their use of windows, can influence air change rates of occupied residences, often more strongly than the variable meteorological conditions . For example, in a year‐long observational study in an occupied townhouse in the United States, Wallace et al found that the mean air change rate (measured with 100‐minute resolution) increased from 0.44 h −1 for window‐closed conditions to 1.57 h −1 with some windows open or the attic fan on.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, a study of 35 residences in Boston found that, on average, 26% of air entering the living zone came from the basement in summer and 47% in winter . Mixing of air within the living zone has been observed to vary among residences . A study of 126 US houses found that children's bedrooms received an average of 55% (±18%) of air from elsewhere in the residence …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Detailed investigation of ventilation rates and airflow patterns in a northern California residence

et al. 2018

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Building ventilation rates and indoor airflow conditions influence occupants' exposure to indoor air pollutants. By making time- and space-resolved measurement of 3 inert tracers steadily released in a single-family house in California for 8 weeks in summer and 5 weeks in winter, this study quantifies the air change rate of the living zone with 2-hour time resolution; estimates airflow rates between the living zone, attic, and crawlspace; and characterizes mixing of air in the split-level living space. Occupant behaviors altered the air change rates, primarily through opening windows and secondarily through operating the heating system. The air change rate correlated with the number of window openings, accounting for 57% of the variability measured across 2 seasons. There were substantial upward interzonal airflows between the crawlspace, living zone, and attic; downward airflows were negligible by comparison. More than 70% of the airflow entering the living zone in the winter and at night during summer came through the crawlspace, rather than directly from outdoors. The airflow from the living zone to the attic increased with the attic-outdoor temperature difference, indicating that buoyancy associated with solar heating of the attic induced airflow from the living zone, increasing the air change rate.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 61%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 73%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 88%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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