The Impact of Air Pressure Conditions on the Performance of Single Room Ventilation Units in Multi-Story Buildings

Alo Mikola, Raimo Simson and Jarek Kurnitski
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Alo Mikola: Nearly Zero Energy Research Group, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn 19086, Estonia
Raimo Simson: Nearly Zero Energy Research Group, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn 19086, Estonia
Jarek Kurnitski: Nearly Zero Energy Research Group, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn 19086, Estonia

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 13, 1-18

Abstract: Single room ventilation units with heat recovery is one of the ventilation solutions that have been used in renovated residential buildings in Estonia. In multi-story buildings, especially in a cold climate, the performance of units is affected by the stack effect and wind-induced pressure differences between the indoor and the outdoor air. Renovation of the building envelope improves air tightness and the impact of the pressure conditions is amplified. The aim of this study was to predict the air pressure conditions in typical renovated multi-story apartment buildings and to analyze the performance of room-based ventilation units. The field measurements of air pressure differences in a renovated 5-story apartment building during the winter season were conducted and the results were used to simulate whole-year pressure conditions with IDA-ICE software. Performance of two types of single room ventilation units were measured in the laboratory and their suitability as ventilation renovation solutions was assessed with simulations. The results show that one unit stopped its operation as a heat recovery ventilator. In order to ensure satisfactory indoor climate and heat recovery using wall mounted units the pressure difference values were determined and proposed for correct design.

Keywords: single room ventilation unit; building pressure condition; stack effect; wind pressure; ventilation renovation; decentralized ventilation unit (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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