What is a Natural Ventilation System?

Natural ventilation is a simple concept concerning the movement of air particles throughout an indoor space without any mechanical assistance. An effective natural ventilation system is difficult to execute however, especially as building types vary in size, shape and air supply.

To achieve a healthy air environment, a professional ventilation company will create an effective solution based on your bespoke requirements. This will help you achieve a constant supply of clean oxygen with proven environmental and health benefits.

How Does Natural Ventilation Work?

A natural ventilation system aims to generate clean air into an indoor space without the use of mechanised fans or air conditioning units. It takes advantage of natural draughts to create a cleaner environment, essentially by injecting fresh oxygen particles on an ongoing basis.

There’s more to the process than just simply opening windows. The concept utilises outdoor air buoyancy caused by the pressure of surrounding buildings, pushing air in and out of the desired space to create a naturally ventilated indoor environment.

A ventilation specialist will implement a tailored cooling strategy for your building, taking into consideration the volume and speed of airflow, as well as thermal mass to help maintain a consistent temperature.

For schools, hospitals, office blocks or commercial buildings, the presence of a natural ventilation system has become increasingly widespread. This is partly because conventional fans and air-con units can only recycle existing air particles rather than introduce fresh oxygen.

Automated Systems

Modern-day ventilation can be automated, essentially taking the strain out of continuously opening and closing windows manually. They can be standalone mechanisms or integrated into an existing building management system.

Some automated models incorporate sophisticated smart technology that analyses the room environment. Multiple sensors measure both the surrounding temperature and humidity, recognising when to open or close to suit the conditions.

This is especially useful should the mechanism recognise the presence of heavy smoke in the event of fire. Windows will open automatically, allowing the hot air to rise and escape quicker, potentially saving lives in the process.

Advantages of Natural Ventilation

A natural ventilation system produces a variety of health and environmental benefits for a building’s inhabitants.

Studies show that contaminated, unrecycled air can greatly aggravate allergies and even bring upon severe illnesses such as asthma and chronic pulmonary disease over a long period of time. An efficiently installed ventilation system will reduce these risks and also control moisture and condensation levels, preventing mould and damp forming inside the building.

For public buildings, effective ventilation is actually required under the 1992 Workplace Regulations Act. This is to prevent the accumulation of bacteria, dust and other contaminates spreading between occupants in close proximity.

With natural ventilation, you’re also removing the need for energy-supplied air con units that are expensive in terms of installation, power supply and maintenance. Because far less energy is being used on an ongoing basis, you’ll be saving a hefty amount on utility bills, as well as reducing your carbon footprint and energy emissions. 

If you’d like to know more about how a natural ventilation system can help your building, contact us today on 01277 633933 or sales@ljpratley.co.uk.

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