Cost Effective and Energy Efficient Control of Indoor Humidity in Buildings with Hygroscopic Building Materials and Desiccants in the HVAC System

Melanie T. Fauchoux, C. Simonson, D. Torvi, R. Eldeeb, Tuomo Ojanen

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter or book articleProfessional

    Abstract

    Maintaining moderate indoor relative humidity levels in buildings is important for ensuring occupant comfort, as well as durability of building materials. This chapter presents methods for moderating indoor humidity levels using hygroscopic materials, in the form of: (i) hygroscopic building materials, (ii) a desiccant coated air-to-air energy wheel and (iii) a new concept ceiling panel with a vapour permeable surface. Simulation studies in an apartment and two office buildings, in different North American cities, are presented. The simulated indoor relative humidity and percent dissatisfied with perceived air quality (PAQ) are presented to show the benefits of using hygroscopic materials in buildings. Exper-imental results are presented for the novel ceiling panel, with results showing the sensible and latent effectivenesses, as well as the heat and mass flux rates obtained from the panel. The results of the simulations and experiments show that these devices and methods have the potential to improve thermal comfort and indoor air quality (IAQ), while reducing the energy consumption of the buildings
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationDrying and Wetting of Building Materials and Components
    EditorsJ.M.P.Q. Delgado
    PublisherSpringer
    Pages175-196
    ISBN (Electronic)978-3-319-04531-3
    ISBN (Print)978-3-319-04530-6
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2014
    MoE publication typeD2 Article in professional manuals or guides or professional information systems or text book material

    Publication series

    SeriesBuilding Pathology and Rehabilitation
    Volume4
    ISSN2194-9832

    Keywords

    • Indoor relative humidity
    • Hygroscopic materials
    • Energy efficiency
    • Thermal comfort

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