SEDL / STP / STP1002-EB / STP10151S

Experimental Design and Protocols for Research at GEOMET's Test Houses: A Case Study

Koontz, MD
Senior Research Scientist and Director of Indoor Environment Division, GEOMET Technologies, Inc., Germantown, MD

Nagda, NL
Senior Research Scientist and Director of Indoor Environment Division, GEOMET Technologies, Inc., Germantown, MD

Pages: 16    Published: Jan 1989

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Abstract

Two identical, unoccupied research houses were used to investigate relationships among air infiltration, energy use, and indoor air quality in a controlled setting. One of the houses was retrofitted to increase building tightness and was equipped with an air-to-air heat exchanger. Infiltration, energy, indoor air quality, and environmental parameters were monitored before and after the retrofit. It was found that (1) the retrofit decreased air infiltration rates by nearly 25%, (2) heating energy savings of 12 to 20% were achieved through the retrofit, and (3) among pollutants monitored, only radon and radon progeny increased in proportion to the reduced infiltration. Similarly, when the heat exchanger was operated, radon and radon progeny were the only pollutants reduced in proportion to the added air exchange.

The research design, monitoring strategy, and operational protocols documented in writing and followed throughout the project are the subject of this paper.