GL ASS & WINDOWS
FEATURE STORY
A FRESH LOOK AT NATURAL VENTILATION IN AUSTRALIA
Photo credit: Valley Drive, G.James Windows and Doors, AGWA Design Award Winner 2019
Australia’s most livable and desirable homes all have something in common. It’s that special x-factor you can’t see, touch, or buy. It’s the flow of outside air into and through the home that gives you a calm, fresh feeling — natural ventilation. Natural Ventilation is an important topic, but it can often be misunderstood. ‘In this day and age, we are all generally aware of the importance of removing aerosols from indoor spaces as a means of reducing the spread of airborne viruses and most of us are aware of the benefits that natural ventilation provides whether that is reducing sick days in the workplace or improved academic performance in the classroom', according to David Auret from EBSA.
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ISSUE 14
SUMMER 2022
Many studies have shown that the benefits of natural ventilation go beyond just making you feel good. In fact, good air quality and flow have many more benefits, including improved health for occupants, reduced likelihood of mould developing, and energy savings all year round. ‘But all of that can be achieved very easily by simply incorporating manually operable windows into any building. In fact, that is essentially what is done to achieve compliance with the NCC Regulations, where AS 1668 requires 5% of the floor area of a habitable room to be provided as natural ventilation. That is where natural ventilation is often misunderstood, compliance versus function’ continues David. The most effective products for natural ventilation are well-designed and wellplaced windows and doors. So, whether it’s for a new build or a renovation, planning for natural ventilation goes a long way towards achieving that special x-factor feeling that buyers and residents look for.
NATURAL V MECHANICAL VENTILATION The Australian Government’s website for sustainable home design (www.yourhome. gov.au) defines ventilation as ‘the intentional introduction of outdoor air into a building to maintain good air quality. Ventilation methods can be natural (eg, windows and doors) or mechanical (eg, fans and air conditioning)’.1 David Auret says, ‘natural ventilation is not just about the windows however, it is the seamless integration of all the parts to work in harmony’. He continues, ‘window automation has gone digital, and this technology is revolutionising the industry’. Older homes with poor sealing would naturally let fresh air in and allow vapourladen air to diffuse through the structure. This was not ideal on cold winter nights or hot summer days, but it did contribute to natural ventilation and prevented condensation from occurring.
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