Max Sherman

This study examines the potential for using passive ventilation systems to meet ASHRAE 62.2 requirements as a step in the process for optimizing hybrid ventilation systems. A brief review of the literature with reference to the passive and hybrid ventilation systems in residential building is presented. The review focuses on key aspects of ventilation system performance, including indoor air quality, air distribution and ventilation rates. For the evaluation of capability of the natural ventilation system to meet the requirements yearly simulations are performed and a multi-zone airflow simulation tool (CONTAM) is used. The case studies are developed for three residential buildings located in several U.S. Climate zone, each with the same occupancy. The first and the second houses are detached houses of one and two stories, the third is a three story attached house. The floor areas of  the three houses are respectively 86 m2, 276 m2 and 145 m2. The simulation results are compared with that one’s obtained by simulating a mechanical ventilation system.