Mechanical ventilation in recently built Dutch homes: technical shortcomings, possibilities for improvement, perceived indoor environment and health effects

Balvers, Jaap; Bogers, Rik P.; Jongeneel, Rob; Kamp, Irene van; Boerstra, Atze; Dijken, Froukje van

doi:10.1080/00038628.2012.664938

Cited by 20 publications

(22 citation statements)

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“…For example, some of the individual MVHR and MEV usability issues highlighted here have also been picked up by another study of 299 homes in the Netherlands (Balvers et al 2012), demonstrating that these issues are of concern at an international level.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 68%

The usability of control interfaces in low-carbon housing

Stevenson

Carmona-Andreu²,

Hancock

2013

Architectural Science Review

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For the same type of house, energy and water use can vary by up to 14 times between different households in low-carbon housing. This article assesses the usability of key human control interfaces in two contrasting case studies of low-carbon housing, using building performance evaluation and a usability matrix tool. It situates the discussion within socio-technical theories of habit, practice, capabilities and emergent properties in products which facilitate easy, rewarding and energyefficient learning. Key findings reveal poor design features and occupant lack of understanding including specific aspects of centralised mechanical heating and ventilation systems. Lessons learnt and recommendations are highlighted for design guidance and policy consideration. These include a more user-centred approach to design and testing of products, and key areas of focus in relation to delivering low-carbon homes that are more controllable and therefore more comfortable.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 68%

The usability of control interfaces in low-carbon housing

Stevenson

Carmona-Andreu²,

Hancock

2013

Architectural Science Review

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“…(In any case, there is evidence to suggest MVHR systems may not necessarily improve indoor air quality due to ineffective use and poor maintenance. 27 ) It is also noteworthy that if energy sources are decarbonised over time, the CO 2 benefits of ventilation control will also diminish, as would benefits from the reduced ingress of outdoor pollution as outdoor PM 2.5 levels will also be lower. These factors will tend to reduce the benefits of lower permeability levels.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

What should the ventilation objectives be for retrofit energy efficiency interventions of dwellings?

Milner

Hamilton

Shrubsole

et al. 2015

Building Services Engineering Research and Technology

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Major energy efficiency refurbishment of the UK housing stock is needed to help attain emission reduction targets of greenhouse gases. Such measures typically entail some planned or incidental reduction of uncontrolled ventilation in dwellings. This paper examines the trade-offs for health and sustainability objectives of typical retrofit refurbishments in UK homes. While reducing ventilation can help protect against the ingress of harmful pollutants from the outdoor air, our results demonstrate that reducing permeability to low levels, without additional purpose-provided ventilation, is likely to lead to substantial increases in pollutants derived from indoor sources, including indoor-generated particles, radon and environmental tobacco smoke. The monetised equivalent cost of the health dis-benefits associated with these exposures may exceed the potential benefits of reducing energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Practical application: Reducing uncontrolled ventilation of dwellings helps to improve energy efficiency and can protect against the ingress of pollutants from the outdoor environment. However, simulation studies suggest that at high degrees of airtightness (very low permeability) there is a potentially steep rise in pollutants of indoor origin, whose adverse effects on health may outweigh the benefits of reduced energy use, lower CO 2 emissions and protection against outdoor pollution. Though the optimal permeability level for a given dwelling will vary with local circumstances, considerations of health protection suggest the need to avoid reducing permeability to low levels.

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“…For instance, the same exhaust ducts can be used and the ducts to the incoming air are kept minimal as the incoming air can go straight trough the outer wall. The short duct system is beneficial since ducts often tend to be contaminated with dust and dirt [16]. This type of ventilation system is also suitable for buildings where cross contamination is extra sensitive.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Theoretical and Experimental Investigation of a Heat Exchanger Suitable for a Hybrid Ventilation System

2013

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A key component in low energy houses is the heat recovery from the ventilation air. Over recent years, the most frequently used ventilation type is the mechanical ventilation with heat recovery. This kind of ventilation results in high heat recovery but does unfortunately consume a considerable amount of electrical energy. Natural or hybrid ventilation has the potential to consume less electricity but normally lacks heat recovery, leading to high-energy consumption for heating, and potentially low comfort. This article describes an investigation of a natural/hybrid ventilation system equipped with heat recovery. One of the key challenges in designing the heat exchanger is to keep the pressure drop low. At the same time the heat recovery rate has to be high. The results from the measurements show that it is possible to design a water-to-air heat exchanger with a temperature efficiency of approximately 80% with a pressure drop of about 1 Pa at air flows corresponding to 0.35 L/(s·m²) building area. This type of ventilation system has the potential to offer a high thermal comfort, high heat recovery rate at the same time as the electrical consumption from fans is kept low. Old buildings with a natural ventilation system without heat recovery could also be retrofitted with this type of ventilation system.

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Mechanical ventilation in recently built Dutch homes: technical shortcomings, possibilities for improvement, perceived indoor environment and health effects

Cited by 20 publications

References 0 publications

The usability of control interfaces in low-carbon housing

The usability of control interfaces in low-carbon housing

What should the ventilation objectives be for retrofit energy efficiency interventions of dwellings?

Theoretical and Experimental Investigation of a Heat Exchanger Suitable for a Hybrid Ventilation System

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