Most of today’s homes rely on mechanical ventilation provided by HVAC systems. If yours does, you might be missing out on the benefits of natural ventilation. In today’s post, the local exterior renovation contractors at PJ Sullivan Exteriors discuss how natural ventilation works, and how the right windows can help you get the most out of it.
Natural ventilation is achieved by utilizing airflow created by natural means, which can be caused by wind, differences in temperature, or differences in air pressure between indoor and outdoor spaces. In contrast, mechanical ventilation creates airflow through the use of fans or blowers.
Opening a window is the simplest way to achieve natural ventilation. An open window releases stale air from indoors, which creates negative air pressure that pulls fresh air in. One can achieve continuous airflow with two openings: one works as the exhaust, the second the intake. Natural ventilation can be achieved with openings as small as a standard double hung window or a large luxury front door.
Keeping the windows open for at least 15 minutes a day provides the following benefits:
Maintain indoor air quality — The key benefit of natural ventilation is it helps flush out indoor air pollutants like VOCs (volatile organic compounds), humidity and odors. VOCs are off-gassed from common household materials like paints, plastics and adhesives. Natural ventilation can help keep indoor VOC levels to a minimum. It can also help balance relative indoor humidity levels.
Reduce cooling costs — During milder seasons, natural ventilation can help reduce your home’s indoor cooling requirements and help you save on utility bills. It also helps reduce the workload on your HVAC system, which can lead to reduced maintenance costs over time and prolong its service life.
Reduced carbon emission — Environmentally-conscious homes incorporate natural ventilation as part of its design, which reduces or even eliminates the need for an HVAC system. As electrical systems utilize energy from the grid—which is partially generated using fossil fuels—a naturally-ventilated home would have a significantly smaller carbon footprint, and therefore be more eco-friendly.
PJ Sullivan Exteriors is your leading provider of window replacement and chimney repair services. Give us a call at (201) 857-0600 or (914) 768-3002. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve customers in Bergen County, NJ, and the surrounding communities.