Perceived indoor environment in social housing with different ventilation principles

Henrik N. Knudsen*, Gabriel Bekö, Tine Steen Larsen

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperResearchpeer-review

    Abstract

    The need for renovation and energy retrofitting of Danish social housing from the 1960s and 1970s is substantial. Such energy retrofits often include the installation of mechanical ventilation systems with heat recovery to fulfil the current standards for energy efficiency. These systems typically ensure a more constant and higher ventilation rate than previous systems. Therefore, there is potential for residents to perceive a higher air quality and a reduction in problems due to condensation on cold surfaces and mould growth after retrofits. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate if this potential is realised for residents in social housing complexes. A questionnaire survey was performed among residents in dwellings with ventilation categorised within one of the five ventilation principles: natural ventilation, bathroom fan, exhaust fans in the kitchen and bath, decentralized balanced mechanical ventilation and centralized balanced mechanical ventilation. Compared with residents without balanced mechanical ventilation, residents having such systems perceived less often problems with unpleasant odour from their own apartment and less visible mould, but more often perceived the air as dry. Residents with decentralized mechanical ventilation tended to experience more often problems with noise from their ventilation system. However, results show that nuisance are avoidable with correctly designed decentralized ventilation.
    Original languageEnglish
    Publication date2021
    Number of pages10
    Publication statusPublished - 2021
    EventHealthy Buildings Europe 2021 - Online , Oslo, Norway
    Duration: 21 Jun 202123 Jun 2021
    https://hb2021-europe.org/

    Conference

    ConferenceHealthy Buildings Europe 2021
    LocationOnline
    Country/TerritoryNorway
    CityOslo
    Period21/06/202123/06/2021
    Internet address

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Perceived indoor environment in social housing with different ventilation principles'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this