Air conditioning or ventilation – what should you bet on? To answer this question, you need to say more about both of these systems. Ventilation is a relatively old system involving the exchange of air in the interior, while air conditioning does not exchange air, but it improves its parameters, which increases, among others temperature comfort. Can one replace the other, then? Let’s find out!

 

Ventilation functions.

First we deal with ventilation where, thanks to windows or ventilation ducts, there is air flow, which is used to exchange used air for fresh one. The effectiveness of natural ventilation largely depends on weather conditions that change throughout the year. The layout of the rooms and the environment in which the ventilated building is located also have an impact. It looks different in the case of mechanical ventilation. Weather conditions do not matter, because the air flow is controlled by a fan. Such actions not only increase comfort, but also allow to meet the required building regulations regarding the regulation of indoor air flow.

 

There are different forms of ventilation systems:

– Exhaust ventilation – consists of installing fans in ventilation ducts, which allows greater efficiency in removing used air than in the case of normal ventilation,
– Supply and exhaust ventilation – focuses on the use of fans by supplying and removing air from the room,
– Mechanical ventilation with recuperation – the recuperation system allows heat recovery by using appropriate filters, which translates into saving energy needed to heat the building,
– Hybrid ventilation – it is a combination of mechanical and natural ventilation. It works alternately adapting to the temperature and wind speed.

 

Air conditioning in the building.

Home air conditioning has ceased to be a luxury, and climate change and related temperature increases make it increasingly one of the basic elements of real estate equipment.

Modern construction using thermal insulation systems and airtight windows often cause rooms to overheat. This is especially noticeable in attics which, due to the absorption of large amounts of solar energy by the roofs, intensify this effect. In such situations, the usual ventilation system is insufficient and air conditioning is necessary to maintain comfort.

 

Air conditioning functions

The main task of air conditioning is to reduce the temperature in the interior and improve air parameters. More advanced models allow heat recovery when heating rooms, while filters remove impurities and allergens from the air. Proper use of air conditioning also allows you to dry the air, which slows down the growth of mold and fungi.

Therefore, comparing the functions of both solutions, it can be concluded that natural ventilation works well in older buildings, but it will not work in new buildings due to the high tightness of the rooms. A better solution seems to be the use of mechanical ventilation, which not only “refreshes” the air but also allows you to save energy. Air conditioning whose task is to improve air parameters, will not replace ventilation, but it can be a great complement to this system.