Introduction of Norms for Air Exchange in Rooms and Energy Efficiency of Residential Buildings

Abstract

Energy saving policy conducted all over the world and in Belarus, particularly, leads to revision of technical standard and legal acts on thermal protection of buildings. Gradual increase of resistance to heat transfer of enclosing structures reduces transmission heat losses however expenses on infiltration air heating remain unchangeable. Due to this their portion in overall heat balance of residential buildings is gradually increasing: up to thermal rehabilitation of a building the portion constitutes 30 %, after this process the portion is equal to 53 %. In order to find methods for reduction of heat losses the paper considers an origin of the current standard for inlet air which is equal to 3 m³/h per 1 m² of residential area. It has been shown that the given value has been determined on the assumption of air exchange which is required for assimilation of carbon dioxide and residential area standard per one person. The required air exchange can be reduced up to 1.5 m³/(h×m²) due to improvement of population living conditions and increase in provision of residential area. Calculations have also shown that the given reduction makes it possible to enhance energy efficiency class of a building and decrease portion of heat losses on heating inlet air in overall heat balance. The paper has also revealed that rational light location on both sides permits to reduce a specific index of heat energy consumption for heating and ventilation of a residential building. Determination of outlet air consumption for kitchens has been considered simultaneously with determination of inlet air consumption. It has been ascertained that in order to support combustion process and removal of combustion products consumption of outlet air must constitute 10–20 m³/h according to type of gas stove. Due to the fact that windows can not support the proposed and existing air exchanges they must be completed with plenum valves.