Novel HVAC Strategies for Well-Insulated, Air-tight Buildings

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A paper by S. J. Irving & Q. Babcock, of the U.K.'s Oscar Faber Group Ltd.

Summary

The proposed changes to Part L of the Building Regulations will require better-insulated and airtight buildings. Envelopes that are insulated to these new standards, but with high-performance windows and good-practice airtightness specifications provide the opportunity for a new approach to HVAC design. Such systems will be significantly reduced in capacity and hence cheaper to install and operate. They will be simpler to control, will provide excellent year-round thermal comfort, and are environmentally beneficial. The approach to be described here therefore offers a potentially significant contribution to all three areas of the sustainability agenda - economic, respect for people and environmental.

Thanks to Geoff McDonell, P.Eng., LEED AP for sharing it with us.