Assessing and improving ventilation system performance in Canadian multi-unit residential buildings

Assess performance of the centralized pressurized corridor ventilation system vs. decentralized ERV system in two architecturally similar side-by-side high-rise MURBs in Toronto and investigate methods to improve performance through coupled energy and airflow simulations.

Status: Current

Research themes: Health and comfort Energy and GHG emissions

Research areas: Building design and retrofits for performance improvement; Solutions for air leakage, ventilation and filtration; HVAC control and component characterization and optimization

Project Objective

To assess and improve mechanical ventilation system performance within MURBs as it relates to ventilation delivery, energy consumption, thermal comfort, IAQ, and resident perceptions and interactions.

Approach

Through field studies, model development, and parametric analyses, the performance of various MURB ventilation systems will be compared: two neighbouring MURBs in Toronto that are architecturally similar (12 and 13 storeys), but contain different ventilation systems and levels of airtightness; and one MURB in Vancouver (13 storeys), which will undergo a ventilation system and building envelope retrofit mid-way through the project. Then, models for developing and testing novel technologies and variations to the installed ventilation systems will be created and validated.

Findings

We hypothesize that decentralized ventilation systems more effectively deliver outdoor air to suites (i.e., consistently meet standards), more efficiently deliver outdoor air to suites (on an energy per unit of outdoor air basis), reduce contaminant transmission between suites (by removing central exhaust systems that can lead to reverse flow), positively affect resident interactions (by reducing window operation during winter), and improve resident comfort and well-being.