A Comparison of Measured and Simulated Air Pressure Conditions of a Detached House in a Cold Climate

Abstract

This study discusses the evaluation exercise of a multi-zone infiltration model of an existing two-storey detached house in the cold Finnish climate. This study is performed by comparing the simulated and measured pressure conditions of the building during a 3-week test period in the heating season. The simulations are carried out using a dynamic simulation tool, IDA-ICE, which combines whole-building energy simulation and infiltration modeling. The initial data of the building model are obtained with extensive field measurements, including measurements of the airtightness and air leakage distribution of the envelope and performance of the ventilation system. The study shows that the model is realistically able to predict the air pressure conditions of a detached house in a cold climate and it is suitable for detailed infiltration and energy analyses. The model allows the prediction of the effects of leakage distribution, airflows between rooms and floors, building leakage rate, pressure conditions, and climate on infiltration and energy use.