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ASTM Selected Technical Papers
Airflow Performance of Building Envelopes, Components, and Systems
By
MP Modera
MP Modera
1
Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory University of California
,
Berkeley, CA symposium co-chairman and co-editor
Search for other works by this author on:
AK Persily
AK Persily
2
National Institute of Standards and Technology
U.S. Department of Commerce
Gaithersburg, MD symposium co-chairman and co-editor
Search for other works by this author on:
ISBN-10:
0-8031-2023-0
ISBN:
978-0-8031-2023-5
No. of Pages:
311
Publisher:
ASTM International
Publication date:
1995

ASTM has recently standardized a methodology for measuring the leakage of residential air distribution systems to unconditioned zones [ASTM Test Method for Determining the External Air Leakage of Air Distribution Systems by Fan Pressurization (E 1554-93)]. The standard includes two alternative leakage measurement techniques. One technique requires only a blower door, whereas the second technique requires a flow-capture hood as well as a blower door. This paper reports on the results of field measurements in 30 houses using both measurement techniques, and analyzes the relative strengths and weaknesses of the two techniques. The repeatability of each of the techniques, as well as the comparability of the results from the two techniques, is examined. A key issue addressed is the importance of duct pressure measurements in each of the two techniques. Analyses show that the leakage measured with the blower-door-only technique would have been negatively biased by 30% to 50% if the duct pressure had not been incorporated into the measurements and analyses as specified in the standard. Similarly, it is shown that supply leakage measurements with the flow-capture-hood technique would have been negatively biased by 33% if the envelope pressure differential had been used instead of the duct pressure differential.

1.
Robison
,
D. H.
and
Lambert
,
L. A.
, “
Field Investigation of Residential Infiltration and Heating Duct Leakage
,”
ASHRAE Transactions
, Vol.
96
, Part 2,
1989
.
2.
Cummings
,
J. B.
,
Tooley
,
J. J.
 Jr.
, and
Dunsmore
,
R.
, “
Impacts of Duct Leakage on Infiltration Rates, Space Conditioning Energy Use, and Peak Electrical Demand in Florida Homes
,” in
Proceedings
, ACEEE Summer Study,
Pacific Grove, CA
,
American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
,
08
1990
.
3.
Modera
,
M. P.
, “
Characterizing the Performance of Residential Air Distribution Systems
,”
Energy and Buildings
, Vol.
20
, No. 1,
1993
, pp. 65–75. (Also, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory Report LBL-32532,
1991
).
4.
Kinert
,
R. C.
,
Engel
,
D. C.
,
Proctor
,
J. P.
, and
Pernick
,
R. K.
, “
The PG&E Model Energy Communities Program: Offsetting Localized T&D Expenditures with Targeted DSM
,” in
Proceedings
, ACEEE Summer Study,
Pacific Grove, CA
,
American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
,
08
1992
.
5.
Palmiter
,
L.
and
Bond
,
T.
, “
Impact of Mechanical Systems on Ventilation and Infiltration in Homes
,” in
Proceedings
, ACEEE Summer Study,
Pacific Grove, CA
,
American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
,
08
1992
.
6.
Modera
,
M. P.
and
Wilson
,
D. J.
, “
The Effects of Wind on Residential Building Leakage Measurements
,”
Air Change Rate and Air Tightness in Buildings
, ASTM STP 1067,
Sherman
M. H.
, Ed.,
American Society for Testing and Materials
,
Philadelphia
,
1990
, pp. 132–145. (Also, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory Report LBL-24195).
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