1.1.4 Manage properly the opening of windows and doors for natural ventilation
Description
To improve air comfort and reduce the need of HVAC systems use natural ventilation. Open windows of opposite façades to produce cross-ventilation or if the building has a space for vertical circulation or a central courtyard, open windows and/or doors at different heights to generate a vertical ventilation and expulse warm air.
Benefits
- Natural and healthy
- It improves the quality of air
- Reduce the use of cooling systems
Limitations
Occupant acceptance
- The quality of ventilation achieved by opening the windows will depend on the outdoor wind regime
- It should be done in a controlled way so that air speed is compatible with the improvement of the comfort feeling
- Outdoor air currents to properly ventilate the building are difficult to find in cities
Economic assessment
The initial investment is zero, although it is convenient to train and inform properly users on these issues. It reduces the costs associated to the HVAC system.
References and best practices
Experimental and theoretical analysis of natural ventilation by windows opening: sciencedirect
Wind driven natural ventilation through multiple windows of a building – A computational approach: sciencedirect
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CHARACTERIZATION
Environment or playable world:
Residential
Academic
Offices
All
Carried out by:
Public building users
Owners
Operators
All
Reduce consumption of:
Heating
Cooling
DHW
Lighting
Electric devices
Type of driver:
Physical environmental
Contextual
Psychological
Physiological
Social
Time framework:
- Short term
- Long term
Type of measure:
- Envelope
- HVAC
- DHW
- Lighting
- Electrical devices
- Other
