PASSIVE STACK SYSTEMS

This natural ventilation arrangement offers an alternative to mechanical systems by taking a more sophisticated approach to conventional ‘hole-inthe-wall’ setups. It works on the principle of the stack effect, where warm air naturally rises up. Special conduits are installed to draw stale air up to an outlet at roof level of the property. In turn, this creates a pressure drop that sucks in a fresh supply of air through special ducts installed at floor level.

If you’re developing a new house from scratch, this is a viable option – but it will need to be considered at the design phase of your project. While it’s not as controllable as mechanical options, it doesn’t require electricity, so there is a saving to be made on running costs. Little interaction is needed from occupants, and because there are no moving parts, it is almost impossible for the system to break down – so no maintenance is required.