Browse Forums Eco Living 1 Sep 11, 2009 11:28 am We are building a custom design home in the next 18 months and are doing as much research as possible on passive solar design etc. Even though I've read quite a bit I'm still confused as to what constitutes cross ventilation. Here are two floor plans that best illustrate my queries: http://www.paal.com.au/kit-homes/the-camden.asp - for the purpose of this question north would be to the left of plan and http://www.dennisfamily.com.au/dfh/ourhomes/overview.sok?-home=0D1Y2D4V6G2E3P29449X7U1Y1W53&-page=0&-tabInfo=Plans - for the purpose of this question north would be at the top of the plan. Obviously the first plan has cross ventilation in the family room/kitchen as it is the width of the house with windows/doors on both the north and south side. What about the dining/lounge - is this considered cross ventilation? Again, with the bedrooms, I'm presuming because you can open doors and windows in bedroom 4 on the north and bedrooms 2 and 3 on the south this would also be cross ventilation? With regard to the second plan, if the front door was open (south) and the door/windows in meals/games area would this work as cross ventilation for the family area? Same with windows in bedroom 1 and living room? What then with the minor bedroom end of the house? I'm struggling with this concept as this house will be our "forever" house and I want it right. Thanks. Re: Cross ventilation questions 2Sep 11, 2009 10:13 pm Before you can define cross ventilation for your home - the local breezes and weather patterns need to be understood, then we can make the house do the best with what's available. Re: Cross ventilation questions 3Sep 13, 2009 3:51 pm We are in the central highlands of Victoria. In winter the prevailing winds are from the north or south east. In summer hot north/north westerlys dominate with cool changes from the south east. Nights usually cool down quite nicely. Re: Cross ventilation questions 4Sep 20, 2009 5:08 am My thoughts below. The first plan Main bedroom looks like it would be hot in summer with little ventilation due to the lack of openings on the southern side and the location of the bathroom blocking air in this corner area. So I’d put a small windows in the southern wall of this bedroom to get some airflow moving through the room in summer with your prevailing breezes being southerly to south easterly. Bedrooms 2,3,4 and the study look like they will also be hot boxes as there is only 1 window in each and with the door of any room closed cross flow ventilation is severly restricted or cannot be achieved. Again, I suggest awning windows on the eastern walls (top of plan) of bed 3 and 4 would help along with some closable ceiling vents in these rooms, plus the same in bed 2 and the study which will enable you to vent some air out 24 hours a day. Personally I don’t like this plan due to the lack of ability to be able to create very good cross flow ventilation in the minor bedroom end of the house in particular. Plan 2. Hmmm - not an easy one to get cross flow through IMO. Doing as you say will help, but you’d need to ensure the right windows were closed and opened on the northern side to get the air to flow through the games room. Otherwise it will not go through that room. Kitchen could be a bit of an issue as well - with the pantry blocking any air moving through the kitchen as it would redirect the air to flow out via the meals window or out via the living room bypassing the kitchen. Minor bedrooms are again an issue with this design, but ceiling vents would help here. Again, this house’s layout does not lend itself to being able to encourage or achieve good cross flow ventilation IMO. Trust this helps. Steve Re: Cross ventilation questions 5Sep 20, 2009 12:31 pm Perhaps awning windows (hinged at the top) on the 'cool' side and hopper windows (hinged at the bottom) on the warm side. If you can't cross ventilate you need to up ventilate. Re: Cross ventilation questions 6Sep 20, 2009 3:04 pm Yep that'd help - I chose awning primarily for the reason of being able to be left open even when the chance of rain my occur - where as hoppers without large eaves are not the best option due to rain entering- awnings up high would do similar but not 100% as effective. But IMO the room entrances options and walls are the main issues with these layouts. Take them out - and the cross flow ventilation is almost solved Re: Cross ventilation questions 7Oct 02, 2009 7:27 pm what's your opinion on this floor plan please?
north is to the right of the plan. we have asked the builder to change window position in a few places - window in bedroom 3 now on south side. window on west of family is cut out completely. added a window on north side in master bedroom. i am worried we might be stuffing up cross ventilation everything i've been reading says to minimise windows on west - hence changing window placement in this floor plan. "weblink expired" thanks for your help. building in victoria 100km from the coast. Re: Cross ventilation questions 8Oct 02, 2009 7:59 pm The aim of cross ventilation is to allow cooling breezes to be directed through your house. The direction from which this comes depends on your locations. Here is the 3pm wind rose for the Hamilton, Vic weather station which is where I assume you are building. ftp://ftp.bom.gov.au/anon2/home/ncc/cdo ... 44_3pm.pdf Other Victorian stations here: http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/ ... ames.shtml Upwind and downwind openings ideally should be lined up in direct path of the breeze. If this is not possible than fences, walls or casement windows can help flanking breezes to be diverted into the building. Thanks! I'm spoke to the builder I'm not sure if this is all true but basically went along the lines of they considered all options and if I was to compact and fill it… 2 7307 Brass fly wire, you will need to cut it, shape it and jam it into brick slots 1 7483 |