Even with a whole-home HVAC system, you shouldn’t overlook the benefits of natural ventilation through your windows. In today’s post, local window installation company Renewal by Andersen® of Phoenix discusses how the right window styles can help improve home ventilation.
How Natural Ventilation Works
Natural ventilation utilizes airflow that’s created without the use of fans or blowers. Instead, airflow is created by opening two windows: the first window vents indoor air and creates negative pressure, which pulls in fresh air through the second window. A secondary means of ventilation can be created by catching a breeze in one window, depending on wind direction.
The Benefits of Natural Ventilation
Allowing natural ventilation for at least fifteen minutes a day can help improve indoor air quality. Venting indoor air can help flush out pollutants like mold and off-gassed volatile organic compounds, as well as excess accumulated humidity. During the summer season, a cool breeze can have a cooling effect on the room. Natural ventilation can also help reduce wear on your HVAC system.
The Best Window Styles for Improving Home Ventilation
Window styles other than fixed windows can be utilized for home ventilation, but the following styles are more effective:
Casement windows are hinged windows with sashes that swing outwards, allowing full use of the window area. This makes casement windows ideal for ventilating large rooms, or a house with an open floor plan. An open casement window can also catch a side breeze, or wind that’s moving parallel to the exterior wall. Casement windows can be mulled with other window styles to form a bay window.
Sliding windows feature sashes that slide open, which can be used for easily adjusting how much airflow you want to let into the room. Sliding window sashes are designed to be removed for cleaning, but can also be used for full-window ventilation when needed.
Double-hung windows are ideal for use in any part of the house, even in small rooms that can only fit one window. Its sashes can be opened in such a way that one window has two openings: one venting indoor air, the other for letting in fresh air.
Renewal by Andersen® of Phoenix is your leading provider of custom replacement windows. Give us a call at (602) 806-8911. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve customers in Phoenix and Tempe, AZ, as well as the surrounding communities.