Indoor air quality and thermal comfort in Irish retrofitted energy efficient homes
View/ Open
Date
2017-03-14Author
Coggins, Marie
Broderick, Aine
Byrne, Miriam
Metadata
Show full item recordUsage
This item's downloads: 479 (view details)
Recommended Citation
Coggins, Marie, Broderick, Aine, & Byrne, Miriam. (2017). Indoor air quality and thermal comfort in Irish retrofitted energy efficient homes. Paper presented at the AIVC (Air Infiltration and Ventilation Centre) workshop on IAQ metrics, Brussels.
Published Version
Abstract
Results from an Irish study comparing the concentrations of 10 indoor air pollutants and occupant comfort in 15 naturally ventilated three bed semi-detached two storey homes before and after the implementation of energy efficient retrofit will be presented.
As part of the energy retrofit homes received new windows and doors, an upgraded heating system, attic insulation, and wall vents along with pumped beaded wall insulation into the wall cavity. The energy upgrades resulted in building air tightness levels increasing from 9.26 m3/h.m2 to values of between 5.53 m3/h.m2 and 8.61 m3/h.m2.
Temperature and relative humidity (RH), along with concentrations of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, TVOCs, PM2.5, CO2, and CO were measured over a 24-hour period in the main living area and main bedroom of each home. Concentrations of NO2 and formaldehyde were measured in the living room only. Contextual information regarding the household and occupant activities such as when the heating system was used during the monitoring period was collected using occupant diaries and questionnaires.