Indoor air humidity in Norwegian houses

Large scale measurements of indoor air humidity levels in buildings is reqiured for many purposes. One of the most important input parameters when doing a hygrothermal analysis of the building envelope using simulation models is knowledge about typical levels of indoor air humidity. Knowing the typical variations of indoor climate in a specific type of buildings, it is also possible to compare with measurements in one specific building, for instance to assess the risk for moisture problems. In this study indoor air humidity levels have been measured in 118 houses in Trondheim, Norway. The houses were randomly selected for each of the following types; detached one family houses, semidetached two family houses, undetached (chained) houses and apartment buildings. The temperature and relative humidity were measured at 15 minutes interval over a period of one week during the heating season. The measurements were made in bedrooms, living rooms, bathrooms, cellars and outdoors. The moisture supply, which is the difference between indoor and outdoor absolute humidity, was calculated. The data are analyzed in regard to averages and variation during the day and week. The effect of influencing factors such as type of house, type of room, age of house and ventilation type are also analyzed.Presenters: name: Stig Geving affiliation: (SINTEF Building and Infrastructure) email: stig.geving@sintef.n