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Title: Seasonal variation in effective leakage area

Abstract

Previous research on the seasonal changes in airtightness has been conducted by other researchers on one or two houses in one location. This paper describes air leakage rate measurements using the fan pressurization technique performed monthly over a period of one year in ten occupied houses in three different climates. The purpose of this study is to determine the seasonal variation in effective leakage area in houses in different climates. The three sets of houses included in this study are located in Reno, Nevada (semi-arid, high desert), Truckee, California (alpine, mountainous), and the San Francisco Bay Area (temperate, coastal). The houses are all wood-frame construction and range from one year to seventy years in age. Indoor and outdoor air temperatures, wind speed, and the moisture content of wood framing and other building components were measured at the time of each fan pressurization test. Indoor moisture levels were monitored by measuring the moisture content of a reference block of wood that was located indoors at each site. The results indicate a seasonal variation in effective leakage area in some but not all of the houses; the largest variations are seen in the Truckee houses with effective leakage areas up to 45%more » higher in the summer as compared to those measured in midwinter.« less

Authors:
;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (USA)
OSTI Identifier:
5544870
Report Number(s):
LBL-19337
ON: DE86012825
DOE Contract Number:  
AC03-76SF00098
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products. Original copy available until stock is exhausted
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION; HOUSES; AIR INFILTRATION; MOISTURE; SEASONAL VARIATIONS; TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT; WIND; BUILDINGS; RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS; VARIATIONS; 320100* - Energy Conservation, Consumption, & Utilization- Buildings

Citation Formats

Dickinson, J B, and Feustel, H E. Seasonal variation in effective leakage area. United States: N. p., 1986. Web.
Dickinson, J B, & Feustel, H E. Seasonal variation in effective leakage area. United States.
Dickinson, J B, and Feustel, H E. 1986. "Seasonal variation in effective leakage area". United States.
@article{osti_5544870,
title = {Seasonal variation in effective leakage area},
author = {Dickinson, J B and Feustel, H E},
abstractNote = {Previous research on the seasonal changes in airtightness has been conducted by other researchers on one or two houses in one location. This paper describes air leakage rate measurements using the fan pressurization technique performed monthly over a period of one year in ten occupied houses in three different climates. The purpose of this study is to determine the seasonal variation in effective leakage area in houses in different climates. The three sets of houses included in this study are located in Reno, Nevada (semi-arid, high desert), Truckee, California (alpine, mountainous), and the San Francisco Bay Area (temperate, coastal). The houses are all wood-frame construction and range from one year to seventy years in age. Indoor and outdoor air temperatures, wind speed, and the moisture content of wood framing and other building components were measured at the time of each fan pressurization test. Indoor moisture levels were monitored by measuring the moisture content of a reference block of wood that was located indoors at each site. The results indicate a seasonal variation in effective leakage area in some but not all of the houses; the largest variations are seen in the Truckee houses with effective leakage areas up to 45% higher in the summer as compared to those measured in midwinter.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5544870}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1986},
month = {Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1986}
}

Technical Report:
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