Energy Savings With Acceptable Indoor Air Quality Through Improved Airflow Control in Residential Retrofits
- Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL (United States)
- Gas Technology Institute, Des Plaines, IL (United States)
- Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, Chicago, IL (United States)
- National Center for Healthy Housing, Columbia, MD (United States)
- Frontier Energy, San Ramon, CA (United States)
The Partnership for Advanced Residential Retrofit (PARR) has been a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Building America team since 2009, with a primary focus on upgrading the performance of existing buildings to reduce energy loads. In this project, PARR’s work explored the integration of airflow-focused measures in residential retrofit homes with the goal to maximize energy savings while ensuring acceptable indoor air quality (IAQ) using a systems approach to controlling four contributing air streams: • Building air leakage (natural, uncontrolled infiltration), • Forced-air distribution system static pressure and airflow rate, • Distribution system duct leakage, and • Mechanical ventilation. This project addressed airflows in houses, their combined impact on energy use and IAQ, and the comparative effects of typical insulation and air sealing practices versus integrated system-level retrofits. Additionally, practical considerations for contractors taking either approach were addressed. Finally, the effects of supply ventilation and exhaust ventilation on IAQ were compared in occupied homes.
- Research Organization:
- Gas Technology Institute, Des Plaines, IL (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Energy Efficiency Office. Building Technologies Office
- DOE Contract Number:
- EE0007057
- OSTI ID:
- 1985923
- Report Number(s):
- DOE-GTI-07057; DOE/GO-102023-5783
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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