ELEMENT:
Electrolux Lux Royal Centralised Vacuum System
AIM:
By extracting dirt and dust to the outside of the house and not re-circulating
through the home, the air inside remains cleaner and healthier.
A ducted vacuum system has a central unit dust bin, usually located outside
the house. The vacuum head connects to the various vacuum points inside
the house. The system provides cleaner air and has four-stage filtration
for more efficiency and longer machine life. The casing is flame retardant
and maintenance free. The system is quiet and provides a greater user
comfort. The four vacuum points located around the house provide for localised
cleaning but generally two or three vacuum points are sufficient.
STRATEGY:
Indoor Air Quality
Clean indoor air is paramount to providing a healthy indoor living environment.
The following design strategies were strategies used to produce low levels
of emissions of airborne materials and maximise the rate at which air
in the building could be removed. The strategies in the building are as
follows:
- Ventilation
- Internal surface material selection
- Surface finishes selection
- Location of carport to minimise fumes from the car entering the house
The elements that act together are:
A ducted vacuum system effectively cleans the carpets,
is quiet and dirt and dust are deposited into the unit dustbin and not
re-circulated throughout the home. It provides clean air and has four-stage
filtration for more efficiency and longer machine life.
Porters lime wash paints were used because they are made
from natural pigments with low environmental impact in manufacture. There
is no harmful off gassing, which provides optimum indoor air quality for
a low life-cycle cost.
Organic natural oil timber finishes were used externally
and internally and non VOC emitting waterproofing also helps maintain
optimum indoor air quality.
The indoor air quality (IAQ) has been measured through a series of tests
to ascertain the levels of Physical, Chemical and Biological pollutants
in the indoor environment that are potentially affecting the health of
the occupants. Of particular interest is the off-gassing of construction
materials.
Testing has been carried out on the Healthy Home to assess the quality
of the indoor air. The parameters measured to asses the IAQ included a
range of physical particulates, chemicals and biological elements. The
degree of ventilation rate is measured by the concentration of CO2 in the air. In addition the levels of respiratory particles, (Pm10),
volatile organic compounds (VOC's), polar compounds, formaldehyde (HCHO)
and airborne microorganisms have been measured. The results have shown
that the air quality achieves the relevant standard.
The ongoing testing will assess the impact of maintenance and cleaning
of the house and the capacity of the house and its materials to store
and/or release indoor air pollutants.
REFERENCE:
Hyde, R, Climate Responsive Design. A Study of Buildings in Moderate
and Hot Humid Climates. E and FN Spon, London 2000.
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