What is Natural Ventilation in an Apartment?

Thanks to properly organized ventilation in buildings, breathing is easy, free, and safe, even if you live in a multi-story building. This is called natural apartment ventilation, which provides good air exchange in the house. If it is set up incorrectly, circulation will be disrupted and can lead to adverse outcomes for both the health of the residents and the damage to finishing materials and surfaces. Let’s understand what an apartment ventilation system is, what its drawbacks can be, and how to address them.

What is natural ventilation in a multi-story building?

Organized natural ventilation in an apartment is an air exchange that occurs due to the difference in air density inside the rooms and outside. For this airflow, exhaust and supply openings are installed. In multi-story buildings, it operates on the principle of:

• central ventilation shaft,
• branch duct – satellite,
• exhaust opening.

Device of natural ventilation in an apartment

In every multi-story building, there is a common vent channel that starts on the ground floor and ends on the top floor of the building. Air circulation occurs through it, starting from the entrance hall to the attic section of the building, and from there to the roof of the house. On each floor, separate ducts, called satellites, are attached to this central ventilation channel, which starts functioning from the bathrooms, toilets, and kitchens of each apartment. It is thanks to these ducts that “stale” air is forcibly expelled from the apartments, passing through the ventilation shaft and entering the atmosphere. At first glance, this device seems to work very simply, but sometimes breakdowns, accidents, or unforeseen force majeure events occur, which can disrupt the normal circulation of air. Natural apartment ventilation should provide the necessary amount of air to the premises in a timely manner, meaning that this entire system should work smoothly and continuously. Otherwise, residents will quickly notice problems with air circulation.

Causes of natural ventilation malfunction:

• Seasonality. The main problem is that the above-described device works well and without problems in cold weather, but when it is warm outside and the air temperature is high, its operation decreases. Therefore, a lack of air in the apartment is often felt in summer, and in such cases, it is necessary to purchase additional supply and exhaust ventilation devices and other air conditioning equipment.
• Incorrect connection of exhaust hoods. A common problem with improperly connected kitchen exhaust fans can lead to an unfavorable result. Incorrect installation of this type can lead to the formation of an airlock, which can literally break the entire system.
• Debris in the ventilation channel. Sometimes foreign objects get into the central ventilation shaft, preventing air circulation to its full extent. Remember, if such a case occurs in your house, never try to remove stuck objects yourself. It is prohibited for private individuals to enter the shaft, even with the best intentions. It is dangerous for your life; seek professional help.
• Reconstruction of vent channels. Situations arise when natural ventilation disappears due to neighboring renovation processes, during which the ventilation duct was damaged or incorrectly redirected in an attempt to expand living space. Due to such ill-considered actions, all residents living on the lower floors will suffer, and ventilation in their apartments will literally not work.

How to Improve Natural Ventilation in an Apartment?

If you’re considering improving natural ventilation in your apartment, here are some effective options. You can significantly enhance the operation of natural exhaust ventilation in your apartment by installing the following innovative devices in your home:

• Inlet valves.
• Exhaust units.
• Supply and exhaust ventilation system.

Since natural air circulation is necessary year-round, it’s essential to ensure air access during the winter months when windows are closed. In these times, condensation can sometimes occur, significantly increasing indoor humidity and leading to mold, fungi, and other harmful microorganisms. To avoid such negative outcomes, consider installing inlet valves, as they are excellent at improving ventilation in the house and eliminating excess moisture accumulation. Remember, a well-designed ventilation system will provide you and your loved ones with a constant, high-quality airflow, ensuring good health, especially if there are asthma sufferers or young children in the family.