Research on Best Solution for Improving Indoor Air Quality and Reducing Energy Consumption in a High-Risk Radon Dwelling from Romania
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Pilot Building Description
- Thickness (m): 0.41 m
- U-value surface to surface (W/m2-k): 0.341
- R-Value (m2-k/W): 3101
- Thickness (m): 0.14
- U-value surface to surface (W/m2-k): 1.034
- R-Value (m2-k/W): 1237
- Total solar transmission (SHGC): 0.691;
- Direct solar transmission: 0.624;
- Light transmission: 0.744;
- U–value: 2.6 (W/m2-k).
3. Numerical Evaluation of Energy Consumption
- Weekdays SummerDesignDay, until: 09:00, full flow, until: 20:00, half flow, until: 24:00, full flow;
- WinterDesignDay, until: 09:00, full flow, until: 20:00, half flow, until: 24:00, full flow.
4. Experimental Evaluation of Indoor Environment and Energy Consumption
5. Research on the Optimal Solution
- ➢
- Relatively small investment.
- ➢
- Simple installation, from the outside, without damaging the interior.
6. Mathematical and Numerical Determination
7. Conclusions
- (1)
- The novelty of this study came from the interconnection of radon mitigation methods with indoor air quality and building energy efficiency. Many studies have shown that radon mitigation by a Sub-slab depressurization system may reach efficiency values of about 95%. This method mitigates the radon concentration indoor, but, in some cases, this method cannot be applied. Another solution to mitigate the indoor radon level, when the concentration is not too much exceeded, may be the installation of ventilation equipment. This method showed a radon reduction efficiency between 25–67%.
- (2)
- The simulations and the energy certification of the building demonstrated that the heating demand is low, and the building can be classified as an energy-efficient one. On the other hand, the indoor measurements conducted during the winter period have shown high radon concentrations up to 2000 Bq/m3 for a particular room during nighttime when the house was occupied, and air sealed as the windows were completely closed. After the mitigation method has been applied, the radon level decreased below 150 Bq/m3, showing a very good improvement for the indoor air quality.
- (3)
- Using the mitigation systems, the temperature stabilizes at the setpoint, 21 °C, not oscillating anymore to low values. While the indoor air temperature presented a comfortable value and the heating system was functioning in good energy parameters, the indoor relative humidity established to a normal level of 750 ppm, high values like before the installation of mitigation system were not recorded anymore.
- (4)
- Another great advantage of using this mitigation system is the reduction of energy loss, showing approximately 86% efficiency of the ventilation equipment (average known efficiency).
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Surface | [m2] |
---|---|
Construction surface | 137.98 |
Total area | 275.95 |
Heated area | 239.96 |
Heated volume (total) | 599.90 |
Wall exterior surface | 231.66 |
Total glazed exterior surface | 31.76 |
Roof surface | 137.98 |
Floor surface in contact with basement/ground | 137.98 |
Measurement sensitivity | 0.15 count/hour/Bq·m3 |
Measuring range | 5–65,535 Bq·m3 |
Measuring uncertainty | 15% at 300 Bq per 1 h |
Measuring relative humidity range | 10–90% |
Radon concentration results display | Short-term (1 h running average) Long-term (24 h running average) |
Measurement sensitivity | 0.15 count/hour/ Bq·m3 |
Intake/exhaust airflow | 20/40/60 m3/h |
Acoustic pressure | 10/18/26 dB(A) |
Heat exchanger efficiency | Up to 93% |
Control system | automatic |
Voltage supply | 230/50 Hz |
Filter class | G4/F5/F7 |
Maximum energy consumption by fans | 1.4, 2.3, 3.8 W |
Exhausted airflow | 205 m3/h |
Material | plastic |
Intake/exhaust pipe diameter | 125 mm |
Control system | automatic |
Voltage supply | 230 V/50 Hz |
Maximum fans consumed power | 58 W |
Air Change Rate | The Primary Energy Consumption | |
---|---|---|
Winter Period | Typical Winter Week | |
h−1 | kWh | kWh |
0 | 2,665,690 | 115,184 |
0.1 | 2,970,470 | 128,353 |
0.2 | 3,464,791 | 149,713 |
0.3 | 3,580,031 | 154,692 |
0.4 | 3,884,811 | 167,862 |
0.5 | 4,189,592 | 181,031 |
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Share and Cite
Mareș, I.-C.; Catalina, T.; Istrate, M.-A.; Cucoș, A.; Dicu, T.; Burghele, B.D.; Hening, K.; Popescu, L.L.; Popescu, R.S. Research on Best Solution for Improving Indoor Air Quality and Reducing Energy Consumption in a High-Risk Radon Dwelling from Romania. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 12482. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182312482
Mareș I-C, Catalina T, Istrate M-A, Cucoș A, Dicu T, Burghele BD, Hening K, Popescu LL, Popescu RS. Research on Best Solution for Improving Indoor Air Quality and Reducing Energy Consumption in a High-Risk Radon Dwelling from Romania. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18(23):12482. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182312482
Chicago/Turabian StyleMareș, Ion-Costinel, Tiberiu Catalina, Marian-Andrei Istrate, Alexandra Cucoș, Tiberius Dicu, Betty Denissa Burghele, Kinga Hening, Lelia Letitia Popescu, and Razvan Stefan Popescu. 2021. "Research on Best Solution for Improving Indoor Air Quality and Reducing Energy Consumption in a High-Risk Radon Dwelling from Romania" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 23: 12482. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182312482