Maximising the benefits of natural ventilation

Over the years, the ongoing concern with the environmental impact and cost of using non-renewable energy to ventilate buildings has led to the rediscovery of natural ventilation's many benefits. Since this type of ventilation doesn't rely on machines, it's a safe and affordable means of cooling indoor spaces. With the right design, it can significantly reduce operational and construction costs.

What are the different options for natural ventilation?

Here are the many methods of using natural ventilation in the design of a residential or commercial building.

• Cross ventilation. This type of natural ventilation is the most commonly used today. The design includes openings on either side of the room. Air enters and exits with the help of pressure. For large rooms, occupants can regulate airflow with manual window openers.
• Stack ventilation. This type of natural ventilation design takes advantage of air buoyancy. Openings placed at higher areas will naturally draw out warm air as it rises and gets pushed by cold air from below. If the openings are too high, electric window openers are typically installed.
• Single-sided ventilation. For smaller rooms, it's possible to maximise natural ventilation with openings on only one side. However, it won't be as effective in larger spaces.
• Solar-induced ventilation. Heat can increase air buoyancy inside the building. Adding a solar roof or solar wall will help the movement of warm air upwards and out of the building's openings. With the help of window controls, you can manually operate openings at higher building areas as needed.

These strategies may work in a building that's 100% naturally ventilated, or combined with a hybrid system. Depending on the size and design of a building, hybrid ventilation works best as it's the only way to maintain indoor comfort throughout the year.

Benefits of natural ventilation

There are plenty of benefits to incorporating natural ventilation in any building design.

Natural ventilation consistently replaces stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air. This process helps remove dust, airborne pollutants, smoke, replenish the oxygen supply, and keep the space cool.

1. Natural ventilation regulates humidity and moisture content in the air. Indoor pollutants such as radon and formaldehyde will naturally dissipate, and other harmful chemicals that typically get trapped inside when a home or buildings rely on forced ventilation.
2. Natural ventilation is energy efficient and environmentally friendly. The cost of air conditioning typically skyrockets during the summer months. In places with a milder climate, maximising summer wind benefits to ventilate a building will help reduce energy consumption.
3. Natural ventilation is compatible with any building as long as you use the right design and techniques.

In conclusion, natural ventilation has many notable benefits to consider to achieve a sustainable building design. However, relying on air pressure and wind movement alone isn't sufficient to maintain indoor comfort at all times. That's why architects and builders today experiment with various techniques to maximise natural ventilation when used as the sole means to ventilate a building, or when combined with mechanical or forced ventilation systems.