Seasonal variations and the influence of ventilation rates on IAQ: A case study of five low-energy London apartments

• Published in: Indoor + built environment Vol. 31; no. 3; pp. 607 - 623
• Main Authors: Stamp, Samuel, Burman, Esfand, Shrubsole, Clive, Chatzidiakou, Lia, Mumovic, Dejan, Davies, Mike
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.03.2022
• Subjects: IAQ VOCs/SVOCs HCHO; inorg; Indoor thermal environ; etc; PMs; dusts; IAQ measurements; Low energy buildings
• ISSN: 1420-326X; 1423-0070
• DOI: 10.1177/1420326X211017175

The indoor air quality (IAQ) of five low-energy London apartments has been assessed through the measurement of 16 key pollutants, using continuous and diffusive methods across heating and non-heating seasons. This case study approach aimed to assess the presence of pollutants within low-energy apartments and to better understand the role of ventilation and seasonal variations in indoor air quality. The results indicate strong seasonal variations, driven by increased natural ventilation rates over the summer monitoring period. A combined metric for indoor and outdoor pollutants (Itot) suggests that the IAQ in the winter (Itot = 17.7) is more than twice as bad as that seen in the summer (Itot = 8.6). Formaldehyde concentrations were lower in the non-heating season, indicating increased ventilation rates more than offset increased off-gassing, in contrast to findings in other studies. However, increased summertime ventilation rates were observed to increase the proportion of outdoor pollutants entering the internal environment. This resulted in higher indoor concentrations of NO2 in the summer than the winter, despite significant reductions in outdoor concentrations. These results demonstrate the impact of ventilation practices upon IAQ, the influence of occupant actions and the complex relationship ventilation rates play in balancing indoor and outdoor sources of air pollution.