L'\ue9nergie dans la conception des habitations nordiques

Il serait tr\ue8s ambitieux de vouloir traiter de mani\ue8re exhaustive de tous les aspects de la consommation d'\ue9nergie dans les habitations du Nord. Tel n'est pas le but de cette communication; il s'agit plut\uf4t d'une tentative visant \ue0 aborder certains sujets g\ue9n\ue9raux qui sont particuliers \ue0 la conception des habitations nordiques. L'auteur a \ue9galement tent\ue9 de soulever certaines questions n\ue9cessitant une analyse plus approfondie, notamment le r\uf4le de l'apport solaire et les d\ue9bits r\ue9els d'infiltration dans les conditions nordiques. L'auteur tient \ue9galement \ue0 exprimer son regret de devoir traiter des conditions nordiques \ue0 partir de son bureau d'Ottawa, mais il esp\ue8re que ce rapport, dans l'esprit qui le caract\ue9rise, sera accept\ue9 par les concepteurs et constituera l'amorce d'un dialogue plus intensif sur les probl\ue8mes techniques du Nord.The severe climatic conditions in the North (the region north of the southern limit of scattered discontinuous permafrost) and the high energy costs and consumption in northern housing are discussed. Ventilation and air exchange issues are reviewed in the context of current norms and standards. Formulae for air infiltration are applied to "tight" buildings in severe northern conditions; these indicate very high rates of air exchange. The combination of mechanical ventilation and natural air infiltration during severe conditions may result in an unexpectedly high rate of total air exchange. Northern construction issues are outlined in the context of energy conservation, and the characteristics of typical heating and heat recovery equipment are discussed. An overview of other energy issues is also provided. Current practices in the design of the building envelope in northern housing are described.Peer reviewed: NoNRC publication: Ye