The Importance of Natural Ventilation

Studies show that we work better in environments with plenty of sunlight and fresh air. While Natural Ventilation in the U.S. is still underutilized, buildings all over the world have seen its benefits in schools, offices, and industrial plants. Properly lit, properly ventilated spaces make everyone more efficient. That is why proper lighting and ventilation that brings in fresh air are the best types of natural ventilation in buildings. Read on to learn more about the importance of natural ventilation.

Natural Ventilation Can Improve Your Worker’s Productivity

With the advent of the centralized air conditioners and HVAC systems, the air inside of many commercial office buildings is entirely recycled. Because the air is recycled, it’s important to keep the office clean so that dust particles and whatnot are not blown back into the air for people to breathe in. Additionally, many companies happen to take assistance of HVAC service providers to check and maintain the indoor air quality.

These units keep buildings cool and move air deep into the middle of buildings. This is effective at keeping workers cool but there is usually a trade-off in air quality. HVAC systems can lead to bacteria build-up and the circulation of dirty air. These same interior locations use harsh fluorescent light. This light has a negative effect on worker morale and can even encourage the growth of some bacteria.

While factories and large industrial spaces rarely use the same air conditioning as office buildings, they too experience ventilation problems. The hot, humid, and contaminated air inside a large facility is a big problem. Large facilities are difficult or impractical to air condition, so instead the warm temperatures are just tolerated. As these buildings house large machinery, this can lead to a buildup of fumes and harmful byproducts in the air. That is why every building owner must understand the importance of natural ventilation.

Implementing New Technology, Adopting Old Technology

Before the 20th century, the only means for cooling a building was through gravity ventilation. Buildings needed openings to ensure the air would move through the building and keep it cool. As a result, the number of building owners revisiting natural technologies has increased in the last few years. As they discover HVAC ventilation problems, like those mentioned above, they look for innovative solutions and new systems.

A natural ventilator is an effective way to help bring fresh air and natural light into a building. By placing vents to let the hot air out at the ceiling level and intake openings on side walls at the floor level, air will move throughout the interior space. This method uses the laws of thermodynamics to efficiently ventilate and remove stale, stifling air while bringing in fresh cool air. This constant stream of air prevents the recycled air problems of office buildings as well as the humid, stuffy air problems found in factories. Furthermore, the enormous size of these buildings often means they are either poorly lit or lit with fluorescent lights.

Importance of Natural Ventilation

Of course, natural ventilation also provides natural daylighting. Roof vents open to let air out. At this time, they also let light in. Natural ventilators in office buildings are in wide open areas like a lobby or a hall. This lets workers encounter the sunlight more often, but not on a regular basis.

In factories, however, where the workers are in a large open area, they can be directly under the natural ventilators. In some instances, exceptionally large facilities are nice and bright using only the light that shines through a natural ventilator.

With no moving parts, a natural ventilator is self-sustaining, requires no maintenance and uses no electric. At Moffitt Corporation, we have more than 50 years of experience in designing, manufacturing, and installing Natural Ventilation systems. Natural ventilation is important. We know how to make it work in your plant. Call us today to learn more.