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Thursday, July 07, 2005
Our Chinese Apartment - Building Science Observations (4 year old building)
Since I had the chance to live in a Chinese building for half of its lifetime (2 years), and witness some remarkable design and maintenance challenges, some unique to tropical environments, I thought I would highlight some.
Concrete, Thermal Mass, and Cold Humid Winters
In the winter humid months of January and February, the high humidity weather fronts that are pushed north from the China Sea, 300 km to the south, the concrete buildings that have cooled to the ambient temperature (~5-10C) become permanent condensation surfaces. Moreover, the ceramic tile floors and stairs are a real hazard for descending.
Air Conditioning, Single Pane Windows, and Concrete Thermal Mass
Mould
Flat Roof Leakage, Stairway Rivers
Ants
Loud Internal Environment
Concrete walls and ceiling with ceramic tile floors makes for an incredibly loud interior environment. Add on a continuously loud exterior environment due to construction.
Energy Consumption !!! ???
Our energy consumption was 10000 kW over 9 months or about 1100 kW/month. The interior space is about 750 sq.ft. In Calgary, we consumed about the same in a 1,700 sq.ft. home.
Dust and Air Quality
Concrete, Thermal Mass, and Cold Humid Winters
In the winter humid months of January and February, the high humidity weather fronts that are pushed north from the China Sea, 300 km to the south, the concrete buildings that have cooled to the ambient temperature (~5-10C) become permanent condensation surfaces. Moreover, the ceramic tile floors and stairs are a real hazard for descending.
Air Conditioning, Single Pane Windows, and Concrete Thermal Mass
Mould
Flat Roof Leakage, Stairway Rivers
Ants
Loud Internal Environment
Concrete walls and ceiling with ceramic tile floors makes for an incredibly loud interior environment. Add on a continuously loud exterior environment due to construction.
Energy Consumption !!! ???
Our energy consumption was 10000 kW over 9 months or about 1100 kW/month. The interior space is about 750 sq.ft. In Calgary, we consumed about the same in a 1,700 sq.ft. home.
Dust and Air Quality
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