Is it feasible to add an infiltration rate into the outdoor air provide per the HVAC to meet the minimum requirement?
I know this is related to the energy model, but could this information from the "Simulation Guidelines for Multifamily Projects' that stipulates", be also considered in order to comply: "The modeled outside air rate shall be equal to the sum of the infiltration and mechanical ventilation rates. Measured infiltration (i.e., envelope leakage) rates are not used. Default infiltration rates of the software tool may be used"?
Andrey Kuznetsov
ESG consultant, LEED AP BD+CSelf Employed
33 thumbs up
May 11, 2024 - 4:24 pm
I never met calculations where infiltration air was added as air supplied to premises related to EQ credits (and regular HVAC calculations of the project).
In my opinion it is useless/illogical to do so since infiltration occurs only at premises close to envelope and in rate dependent at wind activity (i.e. unpredictable). HVAC is designed to provide with 100 % probavility required fresh air to all premises.
At energy modelling infiltration is calculated since it's calculated based on probability that somehow such infiltration occure and does not matter where it occure - one must provide heating or cooling in order to compensate difference betwen inside air and infiltrated air.
So - no, it's not feasable.