Water vapor mass balance method for determining air infiltration rates in houses

David R. DeWalle; Gordon Heisler

doi:10.2737/NE-RN-301

Treesearch

Water vapor mass balance method for determining air infiltration rates in houses

Informally Refereed

Authors:

David R. DeWalle, Gordon Heisler

Year:

1980

Type:

Research Note

Station:

Northern Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/NE-RN-301

Source:

Research Note NE-301. Broomall, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 7 p.

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Download (PDF 1.04 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/14466.pdf

Abstract

A water vapor mass balance technique that includes the use of common humidity-control equipment can be used to determine average air infiltration rates in buildings. Only measurements of the humidity inside and outside the home, the mass of vapor exchanged by a humidifier/dehumidifier, and the volume of interior air space are needed. This method gives results that compare favorably with those obtained with standard methods that include the use of CO₂ as a tracer gas.

Citation

DeWalle, David R.; Heisler, Gordon M. 1980. Water vapor mass balance method for determining air infiltration rates in houses. Research Note NE-301. Broomall, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 7 p.