Ventilation and Its Benefits

Ventilation is the process by which ‘fresh’ air (generally outdoor air) is deliberately provided to a space or room and stale or stagnant air is removed. This may be performed by either natural or mechanical means. Ventilation by either natural or mechanical affects energy use or can influence the lifetime performance or efficiency of a building. Usually people spend nearly 90% of their time in buildings,  poor ventilation can have impact on their comfort, health, well-being and productivity. Today there is increasing need for ventilation, due to increased fuel load in all habitats or places and due to increased use of plastics and other synthetic materials.

Natural Ventilation

Natural ventilation is created by the differences in the circulation of air pressures around a building. Air moves from high-pressure areas to low pressure areas with gravity and wind pressure changing the airflow. The arrangement and control of doors and windows changes natural ventilation patterns. Earlier, Natural ventilation used to be the most regular ventilation method of passing fresh outdoor air to replace indoor air in a home. This ventilation is produced by open windows, flues or pipes and chimneys is affected by excess temperature, by the force and by fluctuating direction of the wind

Mechanical Ventilation

Mechanical ventilation is quite largely employed in school buildings, auditoriums, hospitals, public buildings, and others where equipment will be permitted, and where there is a universal recognition of the development of favorably conditioned air. Power-driven fans can produce mechanical ventilation, either by drawing the air from (out) the building or by forcing air into it, and under some circumstances, a combination of the two methods is used.

Benefits of Ventilation

On health:

Good ventilation protects all the family members from unpleasant or troublesome odors, irritating pollutants, and probably dangerous gases like carbon monoxide and radon. Well-planned or acceptable ventilation also restricts the growth of mold and fungus, which can cause or intensifies allergic reactions and lung problems such as asthma.

On buildings:

Good ventilation protects home from damage by removing excess moisture from the air. Too much moisture deteriorates window sills and attic eaves or rims, peels or strips away paint, and invites insect contamination. Wet insulation in walls and ceilings conveys lost heat, higher fuel bills, and destructive or deadly mold growth. Carpeting, wallpaper, electronic equipment, and furniture all can be damaged by too much moisture.

Effective ventilation is a process that controls the air circulation and exchanges the over-heated and moisture-laden air in house with cooler air from outside. Many homes built today are sealed tight during the process of construction and allow nearly no air infiltration. So, heating and air-conditioning a home (heating and air-conditioning systems usually re-circulates the same old, inside air over and over again) is adapted but ventilation is very essential. The effectiveness of the ventilation system is defined by the efficiency of the air distribution system in discharging of internally generated pollutants from the ventilated space.

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