Ventilation strategies for energy-efficient production homes

Conference · Wed Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1998

OSTI ID:20001993

Roberson, J A; Brown, R E; Koomey, J G; Warner, J L; Greenberg, S E

The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) ENERGY STAR{reg{underscore}sign} Homes program seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging US production home builders to voluntarily improve the thermal quality of their construction by minimizing infiltration, improving insulation, and right-sizing HVAC equipment. Tight homes need active ventilation to maintain indoor air quality, but mechanical ventilation systems that minimize installation costs without jeopardizing occupant safety, indoor air quality, or operating cost savings. The authors evaluated nine ventilation systems in four climates by comparing annualized capital costs, annual operating costs, distribution of ventilation air within the home, potential for depressurization, and potential ventilation-related condensation in exterior walls. Based on their analysis, the authors recommend Multi-port supply ventilation in all but cold climates, because it provides the safety and health benefits of positive indoor pressure, as well as the ability to filter air. In cold climates they recommend that Multi-port supply be balanced by Single-port exhaust. They recommend that forced-air heating and cooling systems not be used for supply ventilation unless forced-air ducts are well-sealed and/or within conditioned space, the forced-air fan automatically operates at least 10 minutes each hour for ventilation.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab., CA (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: US Department of Energy
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• OSTI ID: 20001993
• Report Number(s): CONF-980815--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
AIRTIGHTNESS
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
HOUSES
RECOMMENDATIONS
SPACE HVAC SYSTEMS
THERMAL INSULATION
VENTILATION SYSTEMS