Impact of minimum surface temperature on air change rate

Abstract

This recent work demonstrates through the application of monitoring results, that the surface conductance value along the edges and at thermal bridges differs from the overall standard design value. This fact modifies the characteristics of the building behaviour from the perspective of moisture. The lower h_i value has an impact on the required air change rate: in order to prevent the structure from mould growth, a higher air change rate is needed than previously supposed. In the first part of the paper the monitoring is presented and the second part of the work illustrates the determination method of the required air change rate. The method is presented through a case study. A possible solution to decrease the air change rate is also examined: the impact of additional thermal insulation.