The different types of ventilation

By Emma Peterson.

Learn about the three basic kinds of ventilation and how they fit into HVAC/R systems.

Ventilation is a crucial part of any building envelope, but it is also one of the aspects that is talked about less. In this MetalTalk™ episode, Heidi J. Ellsworth got the chance to talk to Malco Tools’ Director of Engineering Greg Guse about the basics of HVAC/R and ventilation systems in the building envelope. The acronym HVAC/R includes heating, cooling, refrigerating and ventilation. While all of these are important for creating a comfortable and healthy environment within a building, ventilation is really the lynchpin. In general, there are three types of ventilation that can be incorporated and used in buildings, natural, mechanical and balance.

1 - Natural ventilation

Natural ventilation is what we are most likely to interact with in our daily lives. Think about opening a window in your house or office. Greg elaborated, “Natural ventilation is passive. You're opening windows, you're using vents, you're basically using the air that's naturally flowing through to cool a space.”

Where natural ventilation really shines is moving air through spaces in an energy-efficient manner. Greg explained, “If you've ever had a window open and hear a whistling, it's because you have a high pressure versus a low pressure. So natural ventilation gives a good cooling effect because the air outside is moving at a high enough speed that it's actually pulling the heat out of your structure.” This makes natural ventilation a great option for facilities experiencing high temperatures, like sheet metal facilities and other industrial complexes.  

2 - Mechanical ventilation

Moving into mechanical ventilation, it’s exactly what it sounds like — ventilation powered by mechanics. Mechanical ventilation is often used for heating spaces. The most common forms of it are fan-based. Greg explained a bit more about the engineering that goes into making a mechanical ventilation system, saying, “The key is the flow. You have to ask how much air you’re trying to move and what you are trying to do with it. Once you know that, you need to look at things like your duct work to make sure it’s sized properly.”

3 - Balance ventilation

This type of ventilation kind of unites the other two types into one efficient system. Greg explained, “In order to have a fully balanced system, the supply system must move the air properly through the building, into the furnace and then back out again through a vent that opens and closes.” An example of this type of ventilation system are minisplit air condition units that have the capability of putting out heat and cooling.

Read the transcript, Listen to the full conversation or Watch the whole webinar to learn more about the different kinds of ventilation and HVAC/R systems in the industry.