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Airtightness Analysis of the Built Heritage–Field Measurements of Nineteenth Century Buildings through Blower Door Tests

Author

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  • Alexander Martín-Garín

    (ENEDI Research Group, Department of Thermal Engineering, Faculty of Engineering of Gipuzkoa, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Plaza Europa 1, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain)

  • José Antonio Millán-García

    (ENEDI Research Group, Department of Thermal Engineering, Faculty of Engineering of Gipuzkoa, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Plaza Europa 1, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain)

  • Juan María Hidalgo-Betanzos

    (ENEDI Research Group, Thermal Area of the Laboratory for the Quality Control in Buildings, Basque Government, c/Agirrelanda N 10, 01013 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain)

  • Rufino Javier Hernández-Minguillón

    (CAVIAR Research Group, Department of Architecture, Higher Technical School of Architecture, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Plaza Oñate 2, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain)

  • Abderrahmane Baïri

    (Laboratoire Thermique Interfaces Environnement (LTIE), EA 4415, Département Génie Thermique et Énergie (GTE), Université de Paris, 50, Rue de Sèvres, F-92410 Ville d’Avray, France)

Abstract

Airtightness is a major issue in architectural design and it has a significant impact on the energy performance of buildings. Moreover, the energy behaviour of built heritage is due, to its singular characteristics, still a great unknown. The aim of this study is to establish a better knowledge of the airtightness of historical buildings, based on an in depth field study using blower-door tests. A set of 37 enclosures were analyzed inside eight buildings located in historical areas of a Spanish city with a significant built heritage. They were constructed between 1882 and 1919 and include diverse construction typologies applied for many building uses such as residential, cultural, educational, administrative and emblematic. The results indicate lower values compared to other previous airtightness studies of historical buildings. The average air change rate was found to be n 50 = 9.03 h −1 and the airtightness of the enclosures presented a wide range of between 0.68 and 37.12 h −1 . Three main levels of airtightness were identified with two thirds of the tested samples belonging to the intermediate level between 3–20 h −1 . To conclude, several correlations have been developed which provide a method to estimate air leakage and could serve as a basis for energy performance studies of these kinds of building.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexander Martín-Garín & José Antonio Millán-García & Juan María Hidalgo-Betanzos & Rufino Javier Hernández-Minguillón & Abderrahmane Baïri, 2020. "Airtightness Analysis of the Built Heritage–Field Measurements of Nineteenth Century Buildings through Blower Door Tests," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-28, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:24:p:6727-:d:465364
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Francesca Romana D’Ambrosio Alfano & Marco Dell’Isola & Giorgio Ficco & Boris Igor Palella & Giuseppe Riccio, 2016. "Experimental Air-Tightness Analysis in Mediterranean Buildings after Windows Retrofit," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(10), pages 1-9, September.
    2. Jolanta Šadauskienė & Valdas Paukštys & Lina Šeduikytė & Karolis Banionis, 2014. "Impact of Air Tightness on the Evaluation of Building Energy Performance in Lithuania," Energies, MDPI, vol. 7(8), pages 1-16, August.
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    4. Mirco Andreotti & Dario Bottino-Leone & Marta Calzolari & Pietromaria Davoli & Luisa Dias Pereira & Elena Lucchi & Alexandra Troi, 2020. "Applied Research of the Hygrothermal Behaviour of an Internally Insulated Historic Wall without Vapour Barrier: In Situ Measurements and Dynamic Simulations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-22, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Chanhyung Shim & Goopyo Hong, 2023. "Airtightness Assessment under Several Low-Pressure Differences in Non-Residential Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-13, September.
    2. Hanan S.S. Ibrahim & Ahmed Z. Khan & Waqas Ahmed Mahar & Shady Attia & Yehya Serag, 2021. "Assessment of Passive Retrofitting Scenarios in Heritage Residential Buildings in Hot, Dry Climates," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-27, June.
    3. Junghyon Mun & Jongik Lee & Minsung Kim, 2021. "Estimation of Infiltration Rate (ACH Natural) Using Blower Door Test and Simulation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-13, February.
    4. Coline Senior & Alenka Temeljotov Salaj & Milena Vukmirovic & Mina Jowkar & Živa Kristl, 2021. "The Spirit of Time—The Art of Self-Renovation to Improve Indoor Environment in Cultural Heritage Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-27, July.

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