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Gary R. Lloyd wrote:

What are the pros and cons of tighter construction with forced
ventilation versus passive ventilation (leakage), assuming they both
result in roughly the same amount of ventilation?

Here's my opinion:

Advantages Disadvantages

A) Natural leakage Lower first cost Higher fuel consumption
More reliable in winter and summer
Possibly better IAQ: Can't use HRV
CO, CO2, H20 often Lower RH in winter
diluted with a Wet insulation and
drywall
large flow of Possible wood rot,
mold,
fresh air and mildew inside
walls
***No ventilation at all
on still mild days***

B) Positive ventilation More uniform fresh air
and temp distribution
around the house
It's always easier to
bring air in than to
keep it out, turning
B) into A) if needed...

In case you haven't noticed, what I've been trying to do here is to
get you to present a case for your strategy that is based upon why
this is good for the homeowner, rather than why it is good for your
political agenda. I remain unconvinced.

Pity. BTW, I'd call the information above unbiased, albeit my opinion,
and that of many others. How would you change it?


Your many others are being challenged..simply address the issue...or dont.


At the very least, there should be enough *passive* introduction of
outdoor air, be it through leakage or controlled flow, to keep people
from passing out (over 5 CFM per person), and then pump in the rest.

Sounds good to me, on the coldest day. Airtightness costs money. Why
overdo it? Those few cracks and crevices can be bidirectional air-air
heat exchangers with a bidirectional fan in an indoor partition wall.
BTW, extra air leakage also increases AC bills.

Something we have been installing for years....


And I am also not convinced that people outside of acclimated desert
dwellers are comfortable and/or healthy at 20% humidity.

Pity. You might look at the ASHRAE 55-2004 standard.

I am sure that Gary is more familiar with it than you expect.
Do you own any of his books? Read any? Might be worth your time..and you
might learn something new. I sure did.


Gary R. Lloyd CMS
HVACR Troubleshooting Books/Software
http://www.techmethod.com

With these "credentials," it's darkly amusing that you know so little
about
building science :-) I'm only one of thousands of engineers and architects
around the world who recommend reducing air leakage in houses. You might
correct your lonely arrogant ego-filled ignorance by taking an ASHRAE
short
course on ventilation or joining the Society of Building Science Educators
(SBSE). They have a nice web site.


Even more amusing is that many states have now relaxed, or will relax the
standards of sealing a home.
You are making one point, and overlooking others.

I think the only ego maniac here is you....thank God your ideas wont fly
here...nor is there a contractor in this state that would allow you to
design a home for him, when we have several here that are NOT sealed up
tight as a drum, and the owners can claim power bills that have not exceeded
$75 a month here...and we are talking fairly large square footage.
There is a limit to what you want to do, and maintain a healthy enviroment.

Nick