Determinants of ventilation behavior in naturally ventilated dwellings: Identification and quantification of relationships

Publication date: December 2014
Source:Building and Environment, Volume 82
Author(s): D. Levie , Y. Kluizenaar de , E.C.M. Hoes-van Oeffelen , H. Hofstetter , S.A. Janssen , M.E. Spiekman , F.G.H. Koene
Background Ventilation in dwellings is essential for well-being and health. However, insight in determinants of ventilation behavior is still limited. Aim Identifying determinants of ventilation behavior and quantifying relationships. Secondly, identifying households characteristics associated with low ventilation activity. Methods In a cross sectional study, ordinal and binary logistic regression analyses were performed, in a large population based survey, to identify determinants of window and vent opening behavior in the main living areas during the heating season in naturally ventilated dwellings. Relationships were quantified. Results Window opening behavior was associated (although not always consistently between models) positively with household size, negatively with disposable income (living- and bedroom), and with ethnicity (association different in direction between room types). Furthermore, window opening behavior was positively associated with ‘respondent or partner does not have a paid income’ (living room only), presence of females and age of the oldest occupant (bedroom only). In addition, significant associations were found between dwelling characteristics and window opening behavior, including the presence of vents (strong negative association, both room types), type of dwelling (association different in direction between room types), and the overall heat transfer coefficient by transmission. A smaller number of household and dwelling characteristics was found associated with vent opening behavior. Conclusion Window and vent opening behavior was associated with a range of both household and dwelling characteristics. More research is needed to confirm associations.