Ventilation: natural way
Curious2020
| Posted in PassivHaus on
Hi,
Is there a way to replace an air exchanger with Heat Recovery (HRV) or (ERV) by a ventilation system working without electricity.
In a catastrophic situation where there is no electricity anymore for many days or even weeks we need to switch to a natural way to ventilate the house.
Thank you.
Denis.
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Replies
It seems to me like opening some windows would work just fine in this scenario.
There are also fancy rooftop wind-powered ventilation solutions, like these: https://www.monodraught.com/resources/images?page=38&filter=natural-ventilation but in an ordinary home, windows seem simpler ;)
😂 that’s what I was going to say.
When the power is out here I fill two buckets with air and bring them in every hour or so.
What size buckets? I only use ONE (5 gallon) bucket, not two.
I know the air isn't very heavy, but I like to carry things symmetrically. Easier on the arms. Alway use new buckets, as old ones can have leaky lids.
Is there more friction with (2) 2.5-gallon buckets?
All but the tightest homes will have some natural ventilation. My own home of 28,220 cubic feet with an ACH50 of 3.14 and a CFM 50 of 1477 has an average air exchange of 87 CFM (1477 divided by 17).
I’d open a few windows on the uppermost level and a few on the ground floor on the opposite side of the house. This way you get air movement throughout the entire house. It’s much less effort than constantly bringing in new buckets of air, and it works while you’re sleeping too!
Bill
Is this for a PassivHaus? If so, your budget probably allows for solar and a battery backup.
Windows are far cheaper and more simple.
So window is the winner
Window is the winner for tropical catastrophes. Arctic catastrophes call for a backup heat source, at least strong enough to keep your cold water pipes from freezing.