The Interdependency of Envelope and Ventilation in Healthy Buildings

How does building efficiency affect indoor air quality? Does conserving energy necessarily mean a lack of ventilation?

As buildings become more energy efficient, this is a question that many must consider. You can learn more about this issue, and solutions for the current building market, in this white paper from Emu Systems.

Here is an example of the information included, from the executive summary prepared by Emu Systems:

Code compartmentalization results in disjointed goals
Current North American codes address buildings and services by their individual components, instead of as integrated, complex systems. In insulated, airtight buildings, however, these silos are inevitably interdependent.

Ventilation strategies weigh in favor of energy over IAQ
The substantial use of intermittent operating ventilation systems in cold climate zones (to protect the ventilation units from frost), leaves the actual delivery of indoor air quality by these appliances in real buildings poorly documented.

More data monitoring of IAQ needed
To supplement standard laboratory testing, recorded data from ventilation systems installed in occupied buildings is helpful in demonstrating performance and resilience of a system under typical as well as extreme conditions.

Changes suggested to equipment testing conditions and practices
More relevant data regarding heat recovery should be acquired by testing units at intermediate temperatures and ventilation rates.

Find the full white paper here.