The impact of simplified window and exhaust fan assumptions on indoor air quality in multifamily buildings
In residential buildings, the indoor air quality can be significantly affected by ventilation measures initiated by occupants, including the operation of windows and in-unit exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms. Many simulations simplify these factors by disregarding window opening behaviors and using fixed schedules for exhaust fan operation across all residential units. To estimate the impact of these simplifications in the U.S. context, this study used coupled CONTAM and EnergyPlus models to simulate airflow and contaminant transport in multifamily buildings. The coupled models parametrically varied climate zone, building airtightness, and mechanical ventilation system types. The study conducted a sensitivity analysis on two key occupant behaviors: (1) operating kitchen and bathroom exhausts on different schedules in individual dwelling units, and (2) scheduling open windows on ground and top floors. The simplified assumptions (i.e. uniform in-unit exhaust fan operation and window operation) had a minimal impact on inter-unit air flow and contaminant transport simulations across a broad range of building air leakage and mechanical ventilation system types. These findings suggest that for buildings with tight construction it is reasonable for most modelling and simulation efforts to ignore the effects of non-uniform exhaust fan operation and window opening.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Department of Energy; USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Energy Efficiency Office. Building Technologies Office (EE-5B)
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC02-05CH11231
- OSTI ID:
- 2998369
- Journal Information:
- International Journal of Ventilation, Journal Name: International Journal of Ventilation Journal Issue: ahead-of-print Vol. ahead-of-print
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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