Verkehr-Umwelt-Gesundheit
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Projekt: Lärmarme Haustechnik - Silent energy efficient homes

In highly energy efficient homes ("Passivhaus"), where the air exchange rates are well below 0.4m³/hour, forced continuous ventilation is required to maintain CO2- and humidity levels within a range compatible with human comfort and health. Unfortunately, the acoustic features of energy efficient homes and its associated techniques (heating, cooling, ventilation etc.) are not always satisfactory. Surveys have shown that inhabitants can be annoyed and sleep disturbed by sound from these technical equipments and therefore switch off the ventilation system with potential adverse effect on their well-being and health. As standards for building acoustics (e.g. DIN EN ISO 717-1) consider only the frequency range between 50-3150Hz and do neither care with sounds below these frequencies nor with its often associated vibrations and structure-borne sounds. Completely ignored are infrasound components of these devices. The aim of this project is to develop guidelines for the measurement and installation of such equipment based on an integrated approach including psychoacoustic methods and neurophysiologic knowledge. This knowledge should aid developers and engineers to prevent annoying components by design and/or proper installation and lead to appropriate management of cases where classical industrial engineering fails and lead to health complaints of residents. Consult the presentation below to get more insight into the rationale for this project in development

Presentation Prof Lercher at the "neuLand"-conference from Februar 25, 2016

Interview "Passivhaus Magazin" Prof Lercher - May, 2016