Window airing in new and existing multi-family dwellings

New and renovated buildings are characterized by good air quality and the residents’ well-being via their freedom to control an increased air exchange through airing.

Today, however, there is a lack of knowledge regarding residents' airing habits, which on makes it difficult to design with the possibility in mind to open windows in different directions and at different times of the day, and also difficult to plan for a healthy indoor climate with low energy use. Increased knowledge of the users’ needs and habits of airing provide the conditions for future sustainable buildings.

Airing has a significant effect on thermal comfort, air quality and energy use, while the knowledge of airing habits is limited.

The proposed project aims to increase knowledge of how airing occurs in multi-family dwellings regarding degree of opening, number of windows, time during the day, differences in airing between new and old buildings and variations in relation to outdoor climate.