Paul Francisco Discusses Current BRC Research

By Meghan Dufresne, News Editor

Paul Francisco moved here from Seattle one and a half years ago to work at the Building Research Council (BRC). He is focusing much of his research on air flow and energy loss in buildings. He studies such things as heating and cooling systems and pressures, duct leakage, and conduction loss.

Prior to working at the BRC, Francisco received a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Delaware, and a master's degree from the University of Washington. After graduation, Francisco went to work on a research team at a small private company.

Nowadays, he is researching indoor air quality at the BRC and has taken part in the mold and moisture studies at Native American reservations. Francisco, along with William Rose, is developing a method to quantify dampness in buildings.

Francisco's newest research involves an evaluation of unvented gas appliances (e.g., furnaces and fireplaces). These devices are approved in 47 states. Although it is an old technology, Francisco notes that little has been done to evaluate the new models over the past 25 years. The problem with unvented gas appliances is that all the exhaust from burning gas stays in the house, which increases carbon dioxide and moisture indoors.

The unvented gas fireplace study is a three-pronged research effort. It involves theoretical modeling, lab work on old and new units, and a field survey component. Francisco is working on this U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-funded study with fellow BRC researchers Jeff Gordon and William Rose. Their survey will look at how unvented gas furnaces are used and maintained. One concern with the furnaces is that ten percent of natural gas is water. If water hits a cold surface, such as a window, it condenses and may contribute to moisture problems.

Francisco also serves as the vice chair of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. technical committee on central forced air and as an instructor of a diagnostic weather class in Springfield. Today, Francisco continues to study the air tightness aspect of buildings and individual zones within buildings.