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The effect of combining a relative-humidity-sensitive ventilation system with the moisture-buffering capacity of materials on indoor climate and energy efficiency of buildings

Woloszyn, M., Kalamees, T., Abadie, M.O., Steeman, M. and Kalagasidis, A.S.
2009
Building and Environment, Volume 44, Issue 3, Pages 515-524
Whole building HAM simulation; Relative-humidity-sensitive (RHS) ventilation system; Moisture-buffering; Energy; Indoor climate

Woloszyn, M., Kalamees, T., Abadie, M.O., Steeman, M. and Kalagasidis, A.S., (2009), "The effect of combining a relative-humidity-sensitive ventilation system with the moisture-buffering capacity of materials on indoor climate and energy efficiency of buildings", Building and Environment, Volume 44, Issue 3, Pages 515-524.
Abstract:
Indoor moisture management, which means keeping the indoor relative humidity (RH) at correct levels, is very important for whole building performance in terms of indoor air quality (IAQ), energy performance and durability of the building. In this study, the effect of combining a relative-humidity-sensitive (RHS) ventilation system with indoor moisture buffering materials was investigated. Four comprehensive heat-air-moisture (HAM) simulation tools were used to analyse the performance of different moisture management strategies in terms of IAQ and of energy efficiency. Despite some differences in results, a good agreement was found and similar trends were detected from the results, using the four different simulation tools. The results from simulations demonstrate that RHS ventilation reduces the spread between the minimum and maximum values of the RH in the indoor air and generates energy savings. Energy savings are achieved while keeping the RH at target level, not allowing for possible risk of condensations. The disadvantage of this type of demand controlled-ventilation is that other pollutants (such as CO2) may exceed target values. This study also confirmed that the use of moisture-buffering materials is a very efficient way to reduce the amplitude of daily moisture variations. It was possible, by the combined effect of ventilation and wood as buffering material, to keep the indoor RH at a very stable level.

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Author Information and Other Publications Notes
Woloszyn, M.
  1. eds. Annex 41 Final Report, Volume 1: Modelling Principles and Common Exercises
  2. Investigation of Microclimate by CFD Modeling of Moisture Interactions between Air and Constructions
  3. Modelling of hysteresis influence on mass transfer in building materials
  4. Moisture propagation in multizone buildings proposition of a coupled energy-moisture-airflow model
  5. Tools for performance simulation of heat, air and moisture conditions of whole buildings  
Kalamees, T.
Department of Civil Engineering, Tallinn Technical University, Ehitajate tee 5, 19086, Tallinn, Estonia
  1. Estonian climate analysis for selecting moisture reference years for hygrothermal calculations
  2. Hygrothermal calculations and laboratory tests on timber-framed wall structures
  3. Hygrothermal criteria for design and simulation of buildings
  4. Indoor humidity loads and moisture production in lightweight timber-frame detached houses
  5. Principles to analyze the moisture performance of timber-framed external wall assembly due to diffusion
  6. The effects of ventilation systems and building fabric on the stability of indoor temperature and humidity in Finnish detached houses  
Abadie, M. O.
     
Steeman, M.
  1. Benchmark experiments for moisture transfer modelling in air and porous materials
  2. Experimental validation and sensitivity analysis of a coupled BES-HAM model
  3. Impact of whole-building hygrothermal modelling on the assessment of indoor climate in a library building
  4. On coupling 1D non-isothermal heat and mass transfer in porous materials with a multizone building energy simulation model
  5. Sensitivity analysis of CFD coupled non-isothermal heat and moisture modelling  
Kalagasidis, A. S.
  1. Assessment of hygrothermal performance and mould growth risk in ventilated attics in respect to possible climate changes in Sweden
  2. International building physics toolbox, general report
  3. Simulink modelling tool for HAM system analyses in building physics  


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