7 Reasons Why Your Commercial Property Needs Natural Ventilation
Do you own an operational commercial property? Are there a lot of machinery, equipment, and people within the area? If so, you should consider adding adequate ventilation to your space.
Ventilation helps eliminate stagnant and stuffy air that may accumulate inside enclosed spaces. Besides that, it also helps improve your property’s atmosphere, making it a safer and more pleasant environment for customers, staff, and equipment.
Many commercial property owners opt for mechanical ventilation to control the environment within their property. This type of ventilation utilises a series of pipes, ducts, and fans as part of a robust system to control the building’s airflow and humidity levels.
And while these mechanisms are effective, they often come at the price of higher energy consumption. This leads to higher electricity costs and an amplified carbon footprint—which may go against the values of building owners who strive for sustainability and cost-saving practices.
Fortunately, a more suitable alternative exists, and it is called natural ventilation. This type of ventilation requires significantly less power to operate, all while still performing the primary task of expelling bad air out of the premises.
If you’re debating whether you should get natural or mechanical ventilation, we’re on the side of getting natural ventilation. Allow us to explain why with these key points.
1. Cleanses Indoor Air
One reason why natural ventilation is essential for properties is because it keeps the air within the building contaminant-free.
Without proper ventilation, pollutants and allergens can accumulate in the building’s interior, which can lead to health issues like respiratory defects for the people who frequent the premises.
Fortunately, this can be avoided by installing a natural ventilation system. Natural ventilation plays a vital role in maintaining healthy and breathable air within a building. It does this by using the physics concept of thermal buoyancy to its advantage.
Fundamentally, this concept states that warm air rises above cooler air in enclosed spaces. By strategically placing openings to let air in and out of the building, building owners can promote healthy airflow that keeps air moving at a sustainable and continuous cycle.
There are multiple types of natural ventilation types that utilise this principle to enhance airflow. A popular one is a form of natural ventilation from Airocle called a fire and smoke vent.
This vent is strategically positioned above equipment that may produce heat and smoke, which helps dissipate the warmth and control the indoor temperature. This vent also connects to the outside, allowing for the expulsion of smoke and contaminated air out in the open.
There are several natural vents out there, like acoustic louvres and ridge vents, that are engineered to promote healthy airflow. Be sure to speak with a natural ventilation provider to have them assess your building requirements and find the best-suited product to keep your place safe.
2. Energy Efficiency
Another perk of using natural ventilation over mechanical ventilation is the reduced energy consumption.
Typically, mechanical ventilation systems require constant power to get its ventilation system to work optimally. Fans and A/C units would need to be operational—and the absence of these things (i.g. If the power goes out) can render the entire ventilation system useless.
Furthermore, the constant consumption of energy can drain natural and non-renewable resources.
For businesses looking to rent a space that upholds sustainability and environmentally forward practices, this may be a strike against your commercial property in the broader real estate market.
With a natural ventilation system, however, you won’t have to worry about dealing with high energy consumption coming from your ventilation system.
These natural systems are built with sustainability in mind, helping reduce your building’s carbon footprint. Some forms of natural ventilation are even completely power-free—requiring no electrical consumption on your end and simply utilising the concept of aerodynamics.
Furthermore, some electrically-run ventilation systems are also constructed with fewer moving parts, reducing the need for fans and piping. This can keep energy consumption at a minimum even if your commercial property has multiple tenants.
3. Lower Operational Costs
Natural ventilation systems enjoy lower costs than mechanical ventilation systems in both the upfront payment and long-term payment structures. This makes it the superior option if you’re looking at it through purely an economical lens.
The reason why natural ventilation is much cheaper is because it relies on passive architectural elements instead of a series of connected and complex installations. Fewer moving parts and a simpler overall product naturally reduce the price tag of this system.
Furthermore, natural ventilation systems don’t rely on electricity, unlike their mechanical counterparts. This cost difference can make a difference over time, leading to thousands of dollars of electricity bills saved in the long run.
4. Better Noise Control
Some commercial property owners tend to overlook the noise pollution a mechanical vent system produces. Its fans and piping can create a continuous and audible hum across the building, which may be highly distracting to the people inside.
For places like offices, schools, and hospitals, silence is key for maximum productivity and peace. Natural ventilation systems offer all the benefits of a mechanical ventilation system in a much quieter package. This is because it relies on its own design instead of power to operate.
In particular, acoustic louvres are the perfect solution for lowering noise and promoting airflow, as they can block the sound coming from the outside thanks to the slat series’s unique positioning. This is especially useful in busy streets or major city blocks.
5. Low Profile and Customizable
Another great aspect of natural ventilation systems is their decent looks and customizability. You can easily coordinate with your provider to create a vent system that matches the aesthetics of your building.
Furthermore, louvres and ridge vents can be strategically placed on top of the building to maintain the overall look of the place, both inside and out. Their shape, size, and material can also be customised according to your building’s requirements.
So if you want to have a stylish yet functional vent solution, opting for natural vents is a great way to integrate a sleek and useful mechanism into your commercial property.
6. Diverse Range of Natural Vents
Do you require a powerless ventilation system? Would you prefer for it to be discreet and unassuming?
Whatever your preference is, there’s bound to be a natural vent that matches your needs. All these natural vents work towards one common goal—to expel bad air and keep the inside of the building safe and pleasant to be in.
Here are some natural ventilation systems that you may consider installing:
Whirlybird: Also known as a rotary vent, these electricity-free vents are mounted on roofs and use the wind to draw hot air out of the building. This keeps the interior cool.
Louvres: These are slats typically laid on a vertical surface like a wall or a window to let air in (or out). It’s also positioned to block rain or outside elements from entering.
Ridge vents: Placed along the roof’s peak, these vents help remove hot air from warehouses and industrial facilities in particular.
Acoustic louvres: These louvres are specifically designed to implement noise control measures within the building. This helps keep the building quiet, which is useful for settings like hospitals and business offices.
These are just a few of the different natural vent systems that commercial property owners can utilise. In any case, they all help contribute to a better interior environment without needing power.
7. Helps Boost Property Value
Another perk of a natural vent system is that it can improve the property value in the eyes of real estate inventors and development companies.
With a natural vent system, you can use its inherent sustainability as a selling point for your property. If your entire property is green, you can also get green building certifications to further cement your property’s status as an eco-friendly building. The long-term electricity savings may also add additional appeal to the property.
A natural vent system doesn’t only attract property investors, but it can also attract tenants who are eco-conscious and care deeply about the environment. This can make your property stand out in the local market.
Furthermore, the inclusion of natural ventilation can also increase demand as people who are committed to the environment may opt to do business with you over other properties without these eco-friendly properties.
