Natural ventilation is an important facet of good building design as it can provide significant cost savings on energy consumption.

Natural ventilation uses pressure differences and natural airflow to deliver fresh air into the building through operable windows. By incorporating natural ventilation into any new or existing building, one can reduce the reliance on mechanical forms of ventilation resulting in energy savings while also facilitating the removal of carbon dioxide and harmful airborne pollutants from the interior space.

Natural ventilation in the warmer months

Mechanical forms of ventilation such as air conditioning systems are used heavily in the warmer months, increasing the building’s total energy consumption.

Natural ventilation allows effective passive cooling to take place, allowing hot air to escape from the room, delaying the need for air conditioning to be activated, and reducing energy consumption and ultimately, the operating costs of the building.

Natural ventilation also ensures the removal of carbon dioxide and various airborne pollutants in the building through the natural airflow created, reducing health risks for occupants and helping to maintain productivity levels. When the air conditioning system is active, controlled fine openings of the windows allow stale air to be exhausted from the building, while ensuring minimal energy loss.

Natural ventilation in the cooler months

Heating systems typically operate for extended periods during the cooler months, resulting in high energy consumption as well as an increase in the levels of carbon dioxide and other airborne pollutants.

Natural ventilation assists in the removal of carbon dioxide and airborne pollutants, lowering potential health risks and drowsiness. Controlled fine openings of the windows assist in exhausting these contaminants from the interior space without causing any significant energy loss or drastic temperature changes.

Natural ventilation outside of operating hours

Night purging promotes cooling of the building and its thermal mass during the warmer months in addition to exhausting stale air in the cooler season. Windows are kept partially open to maintain security, while allowing the cooler night time air to enter the building.

Night purging is an effective method of pre-cooling the room in the warmer months, delaying the need to activate the air conditioning system and reducing energy consumption. In the cooler season, night purging can reduce the likelihood of odours developing or the room feeling stuffy in the morning. Wind and rain sensors ensure the assets are protected if outside weather conditions become unfavourable.

Natural ventilation is, therefore, an effective and environment-friendly mechanism to increase comfort levels for building occupants in any season, potentially decrease energy consumption, and ultimately achieve savings in building operating costs.

Arens International is an Australian company with many years of experience in window automation, natural ventilation and smoke dispersal systems.