Air infiltration and interzonal airflow measurements in research houses: Final report

Technical Report · Mon Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1988

OSTI ID:7117992

Nagda, N L

Four different but complementary methods--the tracer gas dilution method, single tracer constant concentration, passive perfluorocarbon tracers (constant release), and constant release of multiple halocarbon tracers with real-time analysis--were used to obtain detailed information on air infiltration and interzonal airflow rates in two bilevel research houses. The study included measurements of seasonal variations and differences between the houses, one of which was retrofitted in a previous EPRI study to reduce the air leakage area. Measurements showed that there had been little change in whole house infiltration rates during the 4 years since the retrofit. Differences between the houses with respect to whole house air infiltration rates were primarily the result of differences in downstairs air infiltration rates between the two houses. Zone-specific measurements indicated that downstairs infiltration rates were three to nine times higher than upstairs; infiltration rates were 30 to 60 percent lower in the downstairs of the retrofitted house than in the other house. The impact of the retrofit was also reflected by lower rates of airflow from the garage into the downstairs and from the upstairs to the attic. Airflows between the upstairs and downstairs of the houses exhibited seasonal variation due to stack effect action and operation of the central heating and cooling systems. Short-term interzonal airflow rates were as much as an order of magnitude higher than week-long average rates. Results of measurements with the different methods are also compared and discussed as they relate to advantages, limitations, and applicability of the methods in utility-sponsored measurement programs. 30 refs., 22 figs., 16 tabs.

• Research Organization: Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (USA); GEOMET Technologies, Inc., Germantown, MD (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7117992
• Report Number(s): EPRI-EM-5968; ON: TI88015353
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
HOUSES
AIR FLOW
AIR INFILTRATION
AIR QUALITY
AIRTIGHTNESS
COST
NUMERICAL DATA
PROGRESS REPORT
QUALITY ASSURANCE
QUALITY CONTROL
RETROFITTING
TRACER TECHNIQUES
BUILDINGS
CONTROL
DATA
DOCUMENT TYPES
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
FLUID FLOW
GAS FLOW
INFORMATION
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
320107* - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Building Systems- (1987-)