Tradeoffs between Energy Conservation and Adverse Outcomes of Indoor Chemistry in Residential Buildings
Abstract
Efforts to combat climate change will require reductions in building energy usage. Common measures to reduce residential energy usage are weatherproofing, raising the thermostat set-point, and reducing the use of appliances such as dehumidifiers. These measures result in reduced air exchange rates, higher temperatures and higher relative humidity levels during summer. Simulations incorporating the linalool-ozone reaction demonstrate that reductions in air exchange rates (from 1 to 0.1 1/h) result in a factor of six increase in formaldehyde and ten increase in secondary organic aerosol concentrations. Increased temperatures are likely to have a small affect on homogeneous kinetics of these reactions, but could reduce surface reaction rates and reduce secondary aerosol mass. the effects of relative humidity are unclear but are likely to increase outgassing and hydrolysis rates. the intent of this study is not to argue against building energy conservation, but to identify potential adverse consequences so that such problems can be resolved in parallel to energy conservation efforts.
Recommended Citation
R. L. Corsi and G. Morrison, "Tradeoffs between Energy Conservation and Adverse Outcomes of Indoor Chemistry in Residential Buildings," 9th International Conference and Exhibition - Healthy Buildings 2009, HB 2009, Scimago Journal and Country Rank, Dec 2009.
Department(s)
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Keywords and Phrases
By-products; Chemical reactions; Energy conservation; Temperature; Ventilation
Document Type
Article - Conference proceedings
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2024 Scimago Journal and Country Rank, All rights reserved.
Publication Date
01 Dec 2009
