Natural Ventilation capabilities and limitations

(comfort and energy efficiency in domestic dwellings)

Ventilation - a few scenarios

Summer: Cooling sensation from airflow Structural cooling on summer nights General (Winter or summer): How much ventilation does a healthy house need? How does ventilation affect heating and cooling? How does ventilation affect the energy needed for heating and cooling? How do we achieve comfort and energy efficiency together?

Cooling sensation from airflow

In a mild summer, natural ventilation can reduce the apparent temperature
(e.g.up to 80C at an airflow of 2 m/s or so)
Cooling sensation deg. C

10 8 6 4 2 0 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5

Airflow (m/s)

Source: Natural Ventilation in Buildings, Tony Rofail, NEERG seminar, 31 Aug 2006, Windtech Consultants

Cooling sensation from airflow

Question: If you have natural ventilation and no mechanical cooling, what is the hottest summer temperature that allows indoor comfort? People feel comfortable in still air at about 200C to 230C Therefore it should be possible to have indoor comfort up to an air temperature of maybe 300C if you can get an indoor airflow of 2 m/s The reference below has some interesting guidelines for achieving good natural ventilation
Source: Natural Ventilation in Buildings, Tony Rofail, NEERG seminar, 31 Aug 2006, Windtech Consultants

 Maximize air velocities in occupied rooms Two openings on opposite sides increase airflow. Locate windows on opposite sides of the house. An inlet window smaller than the outlet creates higher inlet velocity (e.g. 50% smaller) Horizontal window openings are more effective than square or vertical openings Vertical air shafts or open staircases or roof ventilation can take advantage of stack effects to increase airflow
Source: Natural Ventilation in Buildings, Tony Rofail, NEERG seminar, 31 Aug 2006, Windtech Consultants

Some guidelines for good airflow cooling

Structural cooling on summer nights

The same kind of ventilation that gives a cooling effect in daytime also helps to cool the structure on summer nights Issues: Thermal storage (e.g. concrete floors, masonry walls) can use this structural cooling to keep indoor temperature cooler during the next day . Windows need to offer security while allowing ventilation airflow

Summer Example
Temperature (deg C) 30

20

10 6am

Outside temperature

12noon day

6pm

midnight night

6am
time

Summer Example
Temperature (deg C) 30

20
Inside temperature

10 6am

Outside temperature

12noon day

6pm

midnight night

6am
time

Summer Example
Comfort range with moving air

Temperature (deg C)

30

20
Inside temperature Normal comfort range

10 6am

Outside temperature

12noon day

6pm

midnight night

6am
time

Summer Example
Open all windows Comfort range with moving air

Temperature (deg C)

30

20
Inside temperature Normal comfort range

10 6am

Outside temperature

12noon day

6pm

midnight night

6am
time

Summer Example
Open all windows

Close all windows

Comfort range with moving air

Temperature (deg C)

30

20
Inside temperature Normal comfort range

10 6am

Outside temperature

12noon day

6pm

midnight night

6am
time

Summer Example
Open all windows

Close all windows

Start internal fan

Comfort range with moving air

Temperature (deg C)

30

20
Inside temperature Normal comfort range

10 6am

Outside temperature

12noon day

6pm

midnight night

6am
time

Summer Example
Open all windows

Close all windows

Start internal fan

Open all windows

Comfort range with moving air

Temperature (deg C)

30

20
Inside temperature Normal comfort range

10 6am

Outside temperature

12noon day

6pm

midnight night

6am
time

Summer Example
Open all windows

Close all windows

Start internal fan

Open all windows Gentle forced ventilation overnight

Comfort range with moving air

Temperature (deg C)

30

20
Inside temperature Normal comfort range

10 6am

Outside temperature

12noon day

6pm

midnight night

6am
time

Comments on Summer Example

Good features: Natural approach with minimum energy consumption Comfort level is fairly reasonable Limitations: Poor safety margin for warmer days Must pay attention to outside temperature Needs lots of hands-on actions Limited parts of the house are comfortable

How much ventilation does a healthy house need?

We need ventilation in these areas: Humid or smelly places (bathrooms, kitchens) Where there are people living and breathing (family room, bedrooms, etc.) How much ventilation do we need? This question does not seem to have a simple answer

How much ventilation does a healthy house need? (continued)

There are Australian Standards about minimum ventilation
e.g. Australian Standard AS1668.2 1991 The use of ventilation and air-conditioning in buildings Part 2 mechanical ventilation for acceptable indoor air quality (superseded) e.g. Australian Standard AS1668.2 2002 The use of ventilation and air-conditioning in buildings Part 2 mechanical ventilation for acceptable indoor air quality (plus 2 amendments and 1 supplement)

How much ventilation does a healthy house need? (continued)

BUT people say that (for comfort) you really need MORE ventilation than the statutory minimum

How does (natural) ventilation affect home heating and cooling?

Summer (hotter outside than inside)
Good effects:
Movement of air around people (helps with cooling effect already covered) Venting of roof space (removes heating effect of hot air above ceiling)

Bad effects:
When external air is too hot for airflow cooling, fresh air flow for health requires energy for cooling

How does (natural) ventilation affect home heating and cooling?

(continued)

Winter (colder outside than inside)

Good effects:
None (although you do need ventilation for health)

Bad effects:
When external air is cold, fresh air flow for health requires energy for heating If roof space is ventilated, then potentially useful heat may escape to the atmosphere

How does ventilation affect the energy needed for heating and cooling?
Ventilation replaces inside air with outside air In winter, you need to heat the new air In summer you need to cool the new air
(if outside air temperature is more than say 30oC)

How much energy does this take?

Effect of ventilation on energy for heating or cooling

Assumptions: Size of ventilated space: 250m3 (floor area 100m2, ceiling height 2.5m) Temperature difference 10oC inside versus outside Rate of ventilation
case 1 (low flow) 0.1 ACH case 2 (high flow) 3.0 ACH

Sample calculation

(ACH [Air Exchanges per Hour]) Heat capacity of air 3.4*10-4 kWHr/m3 oC

Effect of ventilation on energy for heating or cooling

Sample calculation
Heat/Cool power required (10oC difference): Case 1: (0.1 ACH)
Power required to maintain indoor temperature 85W (like 1 conventional light globe)

Case 2: (3.0 ACH)

Power required to maintain indoor temperature 2.55 kW (like 1 hefty radiator)

How do we achieve comfort with energy efficiency?

The problem: Comfort/health needs ventilation Ventilation introduces outside air Outside air is often at the wrong temperature Heating or cooling the air needs energy

How do we achieve comfort with energy efficiency?

A solution HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilation)

Other Ideas
(from Danish experiment - see ref below) In cold weather, draw incoming air from under PV panel to get solar pre-heating of the air In hot weather, vent the roof space to atmosphere, draw external air over the ceiling to minimise heat load
Guidelines used in experiment:
Efficiency of heat recovery at least 80-90% Power consumption of ventilation 30-40W for a household Building completely airtight (natural infiltration 0.1 air exchanges/hour) (assumes optimised insulation, low energy windows) Noise level less than 25dB (ref Cost effective PV assisted energy efficient ventilation systems for housing Pederson, Cenergia Energy Consultants, Denmark)

Winter heating example

(Solar Venti)

Winter heating example

Summer cooling example

The following air flow diagrams demonstrate

several natural ventilation design devices:

Natural ventilation may also be supplemented by use of electric fans and mixed-mode cooling, which use electricity, but far less than as for total mechanical cooling. There are several mixed-mode types that are differentiated by their operating strategies: Concurrent uses mechanical cooling and natural ventilation in the same spaces at the same time Changeover switches between mechanical cooling and natural ventilation on a daily or season basis Zoned uses mechanical cooling and natural ventilation in different zones of the building Any combination of the above three may be utilized.

Established Techniques Set building orientation to receive prevailing breezes. Cooling of breezes by vegetative shading and water cooling of air flow to building spaces. Balance use of passive solar, daylighting, sun shading, and landscaping strategies to optimize natural ventilation. Use of an integrated design process to enhance performance.

Emerging Trends Greater emphasis on providing natural ventilation in public and commercial building within temperate climate zones. Modern adaptation of traditional architectural devices such as wind chimneys, atria, courtyards, windows, and operable blinds to induce natural air flow. Electronic modeling of natural ventilation and building form.