Benefits of Natural Ventilation in Industrial and Commercial Spaces

Owning an industrial or commercial building naturally puts a lot on your plate. From paying the monthly utilities on time to keeping your tenants happy, balancing all these variables is a lot of work, even for seasoned landlords.

 

That said, one crucial variable that’s often overlooked by rookie building owners when running a well-operated commercial and industrial space is a proper ventilation system. Ventilation promotes healthy airflow in buildings, which is essential for a number of reasons—we’ll get into them later.

 

There are two main types of ventilation systems: mechanical and natural. Mechanical ventilation systems are commonplace across most buildings, and they’re great at providing continuous air filtration and temperature control regardless of external conditions.

 

However, if you want your building to have a sustainable and cost-effective means to keep your indoor space comfortable for your occupants, then natural ventilation can be an excellent alternative.

 

Installing natural ventilation systems is not just about sticking a window to your office walls and calling it a day. It requires careful consideration and thoughtful layouting to effectively clear out bad air and bring in good air.

 

In commercial and industrial spaces, this is all the more crucial as paying tenants responsible for the production of various goods is at stake. Let’s explore the key benefits of natural ventilation in your commercial and industrial properties.

1. Reduces Energy Costs

Natural ventilation is a great alternative to mechanical ventilation because it doesn’t rely on electrical output to operate. This translates to minimal electricity costs and a lower electric bill, in turn.

 

For building owners, having a lower overhead can be a huge cost saver. Many industrial processes require strong ventilation to keep pathogens out of the space and cycle air effectively, and lagging behind in this department can be problematic for your tenant’s health and building structure in the long run.

 

With natural ventilation, you’re making it easier for your business to manage a decent cash flow from a lower utility bill—which is especially important for newly established building spaces that are still operating on a loss.

 

This isn’t the case for mechanical systems, as their air handling unit (AHU) needs electricity to generate suction force and filter the air into their respective place. Furthermore, many mechanical ventilation systems also have heating and cooling systems—which require power to generate.

 

That’s not all. Reduced energy consumption also helps improve your building’s carbon footprint.

 

With climate change being an ever-present threat in today’s day and age, it’s a good idea for everyone to do their part and reduce the consumption of non-renewable resources. The world will be able to breathe more easily as a result.

1. Keeps Tenants Healthy

Have you ever stayed in a damp and lukewarm room for a prolonged period of time? If so, you’ve likely felt great discomfort during the ordeal.

 

Not only is staying in such a stuffy place uncomfortable, but it’s also a big health risk. Humid and unventilated spaces are a breeding ground for pathogens and excess moisture. If left unchecked, this can cause respiratory or viral health issues later on.

 

This problem is further compounded in industrial settings. If the HVAC ventilation system isn’t operating at an optimal capacity (or worse, if you don’t have any at all), then the workers exposed to these spaces will eventually come down with symptoms if they’re stuck in that environment for a long time. This is especially prominent in factories where gaseous byproducts get emitted during operations.

 

As a building owner, it’s your duty to keep your tenants healthy and safe. Installing a natural ventilation system is one way to completely eliminate this health risk. With properly positioned windows, a louvre, or roof vents, the building can cycle out bad air and keep interior air fresh and comfortable.

 

In turn, this can keep your tenants happy and healthy, thus promoting a harmonious partnership with you and preventing legal issues pertaining to health in the long run.

1. Reduces Noise Pollution

Natural ventilation is also useful in maintaining a quiet indoor environment. Mechanical ventilation systems tend to be loud when turned on, generating a constant hum that can disrupt concentration and distract workers.

 

In a commercial environment, high noise pollution can be a major problem source. It can make it difficult for workers to concentrate and communicate with one another, leading to heightened communication problems and high task error risks.

 

With a natural ventilation system from Airocle and other reputed providers, noise pollution will no longer be a problem. Louvres, grilles, and windows don’t produce sound as they cycle out air passively in the background. They’re also non-intrusive, particularly if they’re strategically placed away from sight.

 

If your building is located in a high-traffic location, you’re also free to close the windows—blocking external sound—and rely on your roof ventilation systems instead. And if you need extra ventilation and the outdoor environment is quiet, you and your tenants have the flexibility to open your building’s window for some much-needed air.

 

By integrating natural ventilation in your commercial or industrial space, you can get your tenants to become more comfortable in their office space. Their environment will be more conducive for work as they can communicate easily and concentrate better. This, in turn, can lead to a continued mutual partnership with you and your tenants.

1. Requires Less Maintenance

A mechanical ventilation system may seem more consistent and effective than a natural ventilation system at a glance, but they’re more prone to breaking down over time.

 

This is unlike natural ventilation systems, as they enjoy next to no downtime as soon as they’re installed on roofs or walls.

 

Natural ventilation systems have no moving parts compared to mechanical systems. In particular, they lack parts like fans, motors, or compressors, which are commonly found in mechanical systems. As a result, this reduces operational costs over the course of this ventilation system’s life cycle.

 

Moreover, cleaning and repairing natural ventilation systems require minimal tune-ups. This lower demand allows commercial and industrial tenants to maintain smooth company operations, reducing downtime and maximising resource allocation.

 

With natural ventilation, your building can keep a good cyclical flow of air going without requiring labour-intensive upkeep. These natural vents work well on their own and in conjunction with mechanical systems for sites that require more powerful ventilation.

1. Cheaper Costs

Natural ventilation is also a much more cost-effective solution for building owners looking to keep their building’s air at safe and well-regulated levels.

 

The system is typically much cheaper to run thanks to its minimal maintenance, long lifespan, and no energy costs. You don’t have to worry about replacing broken or missing parts too, as the natural ventilation system’s lean design makes it durable across all climates.

 

The best part? Natural ventilation systems are also cheaper than mechanical ventilation systems when purchased upfront. For most building owners, a natural ventilation system is likely to be a net positive installation for your building.

 

So definitely consider getting it if you want your building to have ample airflow without a high cost associated with it.

1. Flexible Designs

Another neat perk of natural ventilation systems is the numerous ways they can be implemented in different building types.

 

For instance, for smaller spaces, operable windows that are strategically placed across each other can work—as they can cross-ventilate the place whenever they’re opened.

 

If you can accommodate larger-scale ventilation solutions, you can put up roof vents and louvres to enhance airflow. Warm and stale air typically rises, so these natural ventilation systems can help let the air escape without removing the newer, fresh air. They’re also great for maintaining privacy as they can be installed with grilles and are situated on rooftops.

 

In any case, there are loads of natural ventilation solutions that building owners can consider to improve their building’s amenities. By utilising them, you can create an energy-efficient, comfortable, and cost-effective space for you and your tenants.

 

We hope these benefits have convinced you to opt for natural ventilation systems in your next construction project!