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.
