VENTILATION METHODS FOR HOUSEHOLDS (FOR HEALTH AND COMFORT)
Daikin provides expert tips on proper ventilation to ensure health and comfort in your home.
1. Basic Knowledge of Ventilation
1.1 What is Ventilation?
1.2 What Are Pollutants?
1.3 Why Do We Need Ventilation?
1.4 Can Air Conditioners Be Used for Ventilation?
2. Ventilation Tips
2.1 How to Properly Ventilate Your Home?
2.1.1 Open Windows and Create an Airflow Path
2.1.2 Using Ventilation Fans Correctly
2.1.3 Using a Ventilation Fan in the Kitchen
2.2 Other Ventilation Methods
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1. Basic Knowledge of Ventilation
1.1 What is Ventilation?
Ventilation is the exchange of indoor air with fresh outdoor air, aimed at reducing and replacing polluted air (substances harmful to humans) within a building.
1.2 What Are Pollutants?
Pollutants are substances harmful to human health, including carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), formaldehyde (HCHO), house dust, pollen, bacteria, and viruses found indoors. Proper ventilation helps reduce and eliminate these pollutants from the room.
1.3 Why Do We Need Ventilation?
• Ventilation reduces and removes airborne pollutants inside the room. In a closed space, stale air cannot escape easily, causing pollutants to accumulate and potentially affecting occupants' health. Effective ventilation is crucial for expelling contaminated air.
• Dirty air accumulates in rooms without adequate ventilation. Many modern homes and apartments are highly airtight, preventing stale air from escaping naturally. Without intervention, poor ventilation leads to increasing pollutant buildup indoors.
1.4 Can Air Conditioners Be Used for Ventilation?
Many people assume that air conditioners draw in outside air to ventilate a room. In reality, most residential air conditioners simply recirculate indoor air. After cooling or heating, the unit returns the same air back into the room without exchanging it for fresh outdoor air. Generally, standard air conditioners do not provide ventilation. Therefore, ventilation must be achieved through other means.
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2. Ventilation Tips
What steps should you take to properly ventilate your home?
2.1 Open Windows and Create an Airflow Path
One of the most common ventilation methods is opening windows. However, the rate at which air is exchanged varies depending on several factors, such as window size, room dimensions, and the type of indoor pollutants present. Due to these variables, it can be challenging to precisely determine ventilation effectiveness or the exact airflow rate needed to reduce infectious disease risks. Regular ventilation will always yield better results.
For those concerned about dust entering during ventilation, placing an Air Purifier near the open window can effectively filter incoming particles. Window curtains also serve as a useful barrier against dust infiltration.
2.1.1 Method of Opening Windows to Create an Airflow Path
When ventilating by opening windows, it is more effective to open two windows simultaneously rather than just one. This creates a cross-ventilation pathway for improved airflow. The effect is even greater if the two windows are positioned diagonally opposite each other.
Good example: Opening diagonally opposite windows is highly effective for creating cross-ventilation.
Bad example: Opening two adjacent windows close together results in inefficient circulation due to a limited airflow path.
2.1.2 For Rooms Where Airflow Is Uneven Even With Open Windows
Air tends to enter smoothly through narrow gaps but exits more easily through wider openings with less resistance. If you struggle to get fresh air flowing into a room, adjust the window openings accordingly. Try opening the intake window slightly and the exhaust window fully. This pressure difference can significantly improve ventilation efficiency.
2.1.3 For Rooms With Only One Window
When a room has only one window, open the bedroom door and place a fan near the window. The most effective setup is to point the fan outward, blowing stale air out of the room. If the fan blows inward, fresh air may enter, but stagnant indoor air won't be efficiently expelled. For single-window rooms, positioning the fan facing outward creates a breeze and improves air exchange.
Good example: Pointing a fan toward the open window creates effective outward airflow and promotes good circulation.
2.1.4 For Rooms Without Windows
If a room lacks windows, open the door and turn on the bathroom ventilation fan. Drawing air from adjacent rooms and exhausting it through the bathroom or kitchen ventilation fan effectively pushes stale air out of the house.
2.1.5 Using Ventilation Fans Correctly
Installing dedicated ventilation fans ensures consistent and reliable air exchange. Ventilation ducts are typically installed in walls and roofs. By running the ventilation fan daily (e.g., during showers or bathroom use), stale indoor air is exhausted outside through the vents, while fresh outdoor air simultaneously enters the room. Proper system design is essential to support this balanced airflow.
2.1.6 Using a Ventilation Fan in the Kitchen
Running the kitchen ventilation fan is highly effective, as it typically handles the largest volume of air compared to other household exhaust fans. To maximize whole-room ventilation, open a window located away from the kitchen. Even with multiple windows open, a kitchen exhaust fan can significantly assist in clearing contaminants. We recommend using the kitchen ventilation fan alongside natural window ventilation.
Examples of Ventilation for Apartments
To ventilate an entire apartment, open both the entrance door and balcony windows to establish a clear airflow path. If the main door cannot be opened, open a window facing the balcony instead. Opening only one window prevents proper airflow, so ensure both ends of the window are open to allow air to circulate freely.
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Whole House Ventilation System (VAM Series)
Daikin offers a comprehensive Whole House Ventilation System designed to provide continuous, reliable air exchange while maintaining indoor comfort. The system captures lost heat energy and minimizes temperature fluctuations caused by ventilation, thereby saving energy and reducing the cooling load on your air conditioner.
4 Advantages of the VAM Series
• Continuous and reliable ventilation
• Enhanced indoor comfort
• Energy savings
• Reduced thermal load (can lower required AC capacity)
