Conclusion
 Conclusion and Possible Modifications

Conclusion

The hypothesis was proven for only one of the rooms. The other two rooms were very leaky and taping the windows did not help.

(Hypothesis: By installing new windows in the residence rooms at the Berkeley YMCA the ventilation rate will fall below the ASHRAE standards.)

The blower door tests are a good way to measure the over all tightness of the rooms, but may not be the best way to show the natural ventilation rate. The natural ventilation rate is dependent on too many variables, which cannot be controlled. For example if there is a strong wind the natural ventilation rate will be higher than at times when the air is still. A modification to the methodology in the blower door test would be to totally block the window by using a large sheet of cardboard that would extend beyond the window trim and that could be sealed with tape directly to the wall.

The CO₂ tests are a good measure of the ventilation rate of the room since the ASHRAE standards are based on keeping the CO₂ level below 1000 ppm. The problem with this measurement is that at levels near 1000ppm, the room can still feel stuffy and under ventilated. This also is a factor that has many variables the biggest is individual preference, since the ASHRAE standard is based on what 80% of people find comfortable.

The recommendations that we can make for the YMCA is that each room should be tested individually and the modifications be based on the results of these tests.

Possible Modifications

All modifications should be made to the interior of the building since any exterior renovation would ruin the historic façade.

Winter Heat Loss

Windows should not be replaced but they should be repaired with weather seal and new stops in order to prevent too much heat loss in the wintertime. Weather sealing the windows would result in a savings of $67.00 per year per room. The cost of weather sealing would be less than $100.00 so the pay back period would be less that two years. Replacing the windows would result in a savings of about $17.00 from increased R-value and $67.00 from better air tightness or a total of $84.00 per year per room. The cost of installing a new window would be approximately $1500.00 so the pay back period would be over seventeen years. Repairing the windows is more cost effective than replacing them. The value of the heat loss from all residential rooms due to over ventilation combined was estimated to be about $2,600 per year (based on the price of $1.28 per therm which will most likely rise in the coming years.)

Thermostats should be placed in each room that control the room radiators in order to control the heat usage on warm winter days. If thermostats are not used the user controls on the radiators should be marked and simple instructions on how to use them should be included in each room.

A simple ventilation system could be implemented so that windows would not be opened in order to decrease the "stuffiness" of the rooms. An air-to-air heat exchanger that services all of the rooms would be the most cost effective and would ease the maintenance schedule since only one piece of equipment would have to be serviced.

Summertime Cooling

The transom windows over the doors to the hallway were blocked up at some time because of fire safety reasons. In order to cool the rooms using ventilation the upper part of the double hung windows should be made to open. Opening the upper and lower sashes at the same time can help get a cross current flowing in the rooms helping to cool the rooms. Further investigation into this area should be made.

By installing new windows in the residence rooms at the Berkeley YMCA the ventilation rate will fall below the ASHRAE standards.