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How to Make the Most Out of Passive Ventilation

Today’s homeowners rely on mechanical ventilation systems to regulate indoor airflow, sometimes neglecting natural ventilation when planning home improvement projects like window replacement. In today’s post, local window replacement company Renewal by Andersen of Kansas City shares how passive ventilation works, and how to make the most of it.

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How Does Passive Ventilation Work?

Passive ventilation utilizes airflow created using natural means, as opposed to mechanical ventilation created by fans and blowers in an HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system. The following are the ways that passive ventilation can be utilized:

Wind — A window facing the right direction can catch a breeze and create airflow within the room. This is the easiest to do: just open your windows when it’s windy and you get immediate and efficient passive ventilation.

Negative pressure — Negative pressure is created when stale air is vented through an opening, creating pressure within the room that pulls fresh air through another opening. Attic ventilation systems utilize negative pressure to create airflow for cooling the roof. The same principle also works with windows: one window can vent stale air from the room, while another lets fresh air in. Differences in temperature between indoor and outdoor spaces can also cause airflow that creates negative pressure.

How to Get the Most Out of Passive Ventilation

You might be wondering why you should bother with passive ventilation when you have a perfectly working HVAC system. It helps to think of natural ventilation as complementary to your home’s mechanical ventilation system. It flushes out indoor air pollutants and helps improve indoor air quality. It also lets you reduce HVAC system usage, which can help lower your utility bills, as well as reduce strain on your ventilation system.

To get the most out of passive ventilation, you need window styles that can facilitate airflow. Casement windows are ideal for catching a breeze, especially when the wind direction is parallel to the wall. One can achieve the same effect with the side sashes on bay or bow windows. Double hung windows are best for small rooms: you can open its sashes in a certain way that it has two openings. The top opening would vent warm air as it rises, creating negative pressure, while the bottom opening pulls cool, fresh air. A good replacement window company can help you choose the right window styles that best fits your home’s passive ventilation needs.

Renewal by Andersen of Kansas City is your leading provider of replacement windows and patio doors. Give us a call at (913) 385-1300. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve customers in Kansas City and the surrounding communities.

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"I highly recommend Renewal by Andersen. I am extremely impressed with their ability to take care of any issues I have. The product is superb and is the first thing everyone notices when they come to my home."

PAMELA BLASCHUM | OVERLAND PARK, KS
April, 7

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