The Importance of Natural Ventilation and Daylighting
Natural lighting and ventilation are underemphasized in the U.S. Buildings all over the world have seen its benefits in schools, offices, and industrial plants, but the U.S. is lagging. Studies show that we work better in environments with plenty of sunlight and fresh air. Properly lit, properly ventilated spaces improve morale, and makes people happier. This includes everyone from students to office staff, to factory workers. That is why proper natural ventilation & daylighting can make a world of difference in your facility.
Importance of Natural Ventilation
With the advent of the centralized air conditioners and HVAC systems, the air inside of many commercial office buildings is entirely recycled. 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 as well. Harsh fluorescent lights are often used in these areas as well. These lights encourage bacteria growth and negatively affect worker morale.
While factories and large industrial spaces rarely use the same air conditioning as office buildings, they too experience ventilation problems. Production facility often have hot, humid, and contaminated air. Large facilities are difficult or impractical to air condition. Instead, occupants must simply tolerate the warm, uncomfortable temperatures. As these buildings house large machinery, this can lead to a buildup of fumes and harmful byproducts in the air.
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 people have discover HVAC ventilation problems, like those mentioned above, building owners revisit the technology of the past. That is why more building owners choose natural ventilators instead.
A natural ventilator is an effective way to help bring fresh air and natural light into a building. By placing vents to let the stifling 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, warm 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. It is important to keep these vents maintained as part of the air management systems.
Of course, natural ventilation also provides natural day lighting. Roof vents must be open to letting air out so, in turn, they let light in. Natural ventilators used in office buildings are often in more wide-open areas like a lobby or a hall and can work alongside air conditioning units. This lets workers encounter the sunlight more often, but not on a regular basis.
Importance of Natural Lighting and Ventilation
In factories, however, where the workers are in a large open area, they can be directly under the natural ventilators. Exceptionally large facilities can get a lot of light 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 over 60 years of experience designing, manufacturing, and installing day-to-day building ventilation and natural daylighting systems. At the end of the day, we must all recognize the importance of Natural Lightning and Ventilation systems. Furthermore, we must implement them when possible.