A field study of occupant behavior and energy consumption in apartments with mechanical ventilation

Abstract The purpose of this field study was to evaluate the ventilation practices of occupants and corresponding heating energy consumption in mechanically ventilated apartments, using airflow measurements, energy data collection, and occupant questionnaire. A sample of 139 apartments was selected for the field study from an apartment complex located in south metropolitan area of Seoul. About 68.3% (95 of 139) did not use mechanical fans for ventilation at all during the heating period and 58% of 95 responders cited elevated heating energy costs as the primary reason for not using the mechanical ventilation fan. Among the occupants who intermittently used the mechanical fans in their apartments (31.7%), the average operation time was less than 2 h per day. Total heating energy consumption is increased about 32% (P

[1]  John D. Spengler,et al.  Relationships Between Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality: A Review , 1996 .

[2]  W. Fisk,et al.  Association of ventilation rates and CO2 concentrations with health and other responses in commercial and institutional buildings. , 1999, Indoor air.

[3]  G. W. Brundrett,et al.  Ventilation: A behavioural approach , 1977 .

[4]  J Gusdorf,et al.  Health in occupants of energy efficient new homes. , 2004, Indoor air.

[5]  Olli Seppänen,et al.  Symptoms and Perceived Indoor Air Quality among Occupants of Houses and Apartments with Different Ventilation Systems , 1991 .

[6]  J. E. Janssen,et al.  Ventilation for acceptable indoor air quality , 1989 .

[7]  Leif Øie,et al.  The Ventilation Rate of 344 Oslo Residences , 1998 .

[8]  D Norbäck,et al.  Sick building syndrome and perceived indoor environment in relation to energy saving by reduced ventilation flow during heating season: a 1 year intervention study in dwellings. , 2005, Indoor air.

[9]  Chungyoon Chun,et al.  Research on seasonal indoor thermal environment and residents' control behavior of cooling and heating systems in Korea , 2009 .

[10]  K Ikeda,et al.  Variations of formaldehyde and VOC levels during 3 years in new and older homes. , 2006, Indoor air.

[11]  H. C. A. Dale,et al.  Bedroom ventilation: Attitudes and policies , 1985 .

[12]  J. Wal,et al.  Indoor Air Quality in Renovated Dutch Homes , 1991 .

[13]  Mark Modera,et al.  Impacts of ventilation strategies on energy consumption and indoor air quality in single-family residences , 1986 .

[14]  Olli Seppänen,et al.  Indoor Climate and the Performance of Ventilation in Finnish Residences , 1992 .

[15]  Ambrose Dodoo,et al.  Primary energy implications of ventilation heat recovery in residential buildings , 2011 .

[16]  Refrigerating,et al.  Ventilation for acceptable indoor air quality : ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2013 , 2013 .