With the population over sixty five years of age set to double by 2051 there will be increasing demand for the development of new aged care facilities. How these facilities are ventilated can have significant cost implications for owners, but it is also important to consider the health and well-being of those that will inhabit the building.
- The reliance on mechanical forms of ventilation, which are very costly to operate and maintain, can be significantly reduced
- Provides a user-friendly mechanism for operating windows
- Provides residents and carers with a greater connection to the outdoors
- The degree of opening can be easily restricted to enhance safety and security
- Burden on staff can be reduced as windows can be signalled to close automatically on rain, excessive winds, or at night time for security
- Provide a healthier environment to live and work in, avoiding a sealed and overly institutionalised feel in the building
Natural ventilation assists in reducing operating costs
With heating and cooling making up a large portion of building operating costs, natural ventilation can be used to effectively reduce the usage of mechanical forms of ventilation. Natural ventilation will promote passive cooling, as well as provide an effective relief path for carbon dioxide and other air borne contaminants to be removed from the building. If windows are required to operate solely to lower carbon dioxide concentration, such as in the cooler months, controlled fine openings will prevent large energy losses occurring.
