Measuring ventilation rates in the Swedish housing stock

Abstract

A passive tracer gas method is applied to measure ventilation rates in a nation-wide indoor climate study of a statistical sample of the Swedish housing stock. The method and experimental design are described, together with the results and some experiences gained from the project. The evaluation and error analysis techniques are discussed from an example. Special attention is paid to the accuracy of the results and the probable causes and size of errors. It is shown that the ventilation flow rates could be estimated to an acceptable degree of accuracy. Distributions of ventilation rates in single- and multi-family buildings are presented and discussed. It is shown that actual ventilation rates in dwelling are generally low compared to the requirements in Sweden since 1975, especially in single-family houses. The average ventilation rate per occupant is however very similar in multi- and single-family buildings.