Wood may be a conditioning component in the indoor environment because the pore structure of wood interacts with the ambient air. These interactions between indoor climate and building interiors may improve energy efficiency as well as perceived comfort for occupants. The phase transition of the vapor in air to bound water in the wood cell wall emits energy, and an exothermic reaction occurs. This experiment is part of the research project WEEE, Wood – Energy, Emissions, Experience coordinated by the Norwegian Institute of Wood Technology. The experiment is carried out in a controlled climate through 24 hour periods with cyclic air humidity. Surface temperature of spruce and pine panels are measured by thermography and temperature sensors and the moisture uptake is logged by weighting cells. This study provides valuable insight on the influences of latent heat exchange in buildings. When untreated wooden cladding is used, the latent heat should be included in the energy balance.
Keywords: Latent heat, thermography, indoor climate, wood, spruce, pine, untreated panel
Authors
Brueckner C.
University for Sustainable Development Eberswalde
Nore K.
Department of buildings and marked, Norwegian Institute of Wood Technology, Blindern, Oslo
Nyrud A. Q.
Department of buildings and marked, Norwegian Institute of Wood Technology, Blindern, Oslo
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