Indoor environmental quality benefits of apartment energy retrofits

摘要: Sixteen apartments serving low-income populations in three buildings were retrofit with the goal of simultaneously reducing energy consumption and improving indoor environmental quality (IEQ). Retrofit measures varied among included, others, envelope sealing, installation continuous mechanical ventilation systems, upgrading bathroom fans range hoods, attic insulation, replacement heating cooling adding wall-mounted particle air cleaners. IEQ parameters measured, generally for two one-week periods before after retrofits. The measurements indicate an overall improvement conditions Comfort conditions, humidity, concentrations carbon dioxide, acetaldehyde, volatile organic compounds, particles improved. Formaldehyde nitrogen dioxide levels decreased building highest concentrations, unchanged a second building, increased third building. other than improved more systems installed. In general, but not consistently, larger percent increases exchange rates associated decreases pollutants that primarily come from sources.