Study of Unvented Gas Space Heaters in an Unoccupied Research House. Topical Report, October 1984-December 1987.

摘要

Between October 1984 and December 1987, a series of experiments with unvented gas space heaters (UVGSHs) was conducted in an unoccupied research house. Each experiment involved operation of a single UVGSH according to protocols specifying type and location of UVGSH, length of operation, and status of windows and interior doors. Parameters monitored included nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), air infiltration rates, indoor temperatures, and outdoor meteorology. Narrow window openings during UVGSH operation had little favorable impact on indoor NO2 and CO concentrations. Closing of an interior door to a room where a heater was operated for 1 to 2 hours resulted in substantial increases in NO2 concentrations in that room. NO2 decay rates slowly decreased as the length of UVGSH operation increased, and there was evidence of NO2 conversion to NO during the decay process. A Japanese-manufactured UVGSH with built-in thermostat and blower had the lowest NO2/CO emission rates and the highest NO2 decay rate of the three UVGSHs that were used for experiments. Modeled steady-state NO2 concentrations compared well with those measured in the research house following extended UVGSH operation and with those measured in Texas homes where UVGSHs are used frequently.