Systems Research on Residential Ventilation

Panel: Residential Buildings: Technologies, Design, Performance Analysis, and Building Industry Trends

Authors:
Armin Rudd, Building Science Corporation
Joseph Lstiburek, Building Science Corporation

Abstract

Over a decade of applied research and field experience in residential whole-house ventilation is discussed. System pros and cons are evaluated and preferred systems are highlighted. The initial cost of most ventilation system variants are presented on a relative, costindex basis. Energy consumption and operating cost results from simulations of different centralfan-integrated supply (CFIS) ventilation systems, including new control methods, are compared to that of a reference house without mechanical ventilation. High-performance houses with controlled mechanical ventilation and without use of setback thermostat cost less to operate than standard houses without ventilation and with setback thermostat in warm climates with significant cooling. Electrical energy cost to operate the ventilation systems ranged from 2% to 11% of total HVAC system annual operating cost in the warm climates of Houston and Phoenix, and ranged from 1% to 6% in Charlotte, Kansas City, Seattle, and Minneapolis. Central fan operation of 20 minutes per hour minimum, for ventilation air distribution and whole-house comfort mixing, amounted to 15% to 20% of annual hours, and annual cost ranged between $0 in Minneapolis to $85 in Houston.