Trickle vent
Encyclopedia
A trickle vent is a very small opening in a window
or other building envelope
component to allow small amounts of ventilation in spaces intended to be naturally ventilated when major elements of the design - windows, doors, etc, are otherwise closed. Trickle vents are used extensively in the UK and Europe and are integrated into window frames to provide minimum ventilation requirements for naturally ventilated spaces.
green building rating system. LEED EA Credit 2 references CIBSE
Applications Manual 10 which provides advice on the design of naturally ventilated spaces, recommending the installation of trickle vents in naturally ventilated spaces. Within the UK the application of trickle vents is required to meet the requirements of the Building Regulations, requirements are described in Guide F, Means of Ventilation.
, avoided over ventilation (minimizing energy consumption), improved comfort through draft avoidance.
62.1-2007: Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality, only requires 4% of net floor area to be operable. This creates the potential for increased energy consumption where natural ventilation is provided by operable windows where supplemental air conditioning
is provided, in addition to generally poor control over ventilation rates during hot summer or cold winter conditions.
Window
A window is a transparent or translucent opening in a wall or door that allows the passage of light and, if not closed or sealed, air and sound. Windows are usually glazed or covered in some other transparent or translucent material like float glass. Windows are held in place by frames, which...
or other building envelope
Building envelope
The building envelope is the physical separator between the interior and the exterior environments of a building. Another emerging term is "Building Enclosure". It serves as the outer shell to help maintain the indoor environment and facilitate its climate control...
component to allow small amounts of ventilation in spaces intended to be naturally ventilated when major elements of the design - windows, doors, etc, are otherwise closed. Trickle vents are used extensively in the UK and Europe and are integrated into window frames to provide minimum ventilation requirements for naturally ventilated spaces.
Energy efficiency ratings
The application of trickle vents in naturally ventilated spaces can help contribute to IEQ Credit 2 under the LEEDLeadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods....
green building rating system. LEED EA Credit 2 references CIBSE
Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers
The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers is a British professional engineering body based in London, England that represents building services engineers...
Applications Manual 10 which provides advice on the design of naturally ventilated spaces, recommending the installation of trickle vents in naturally ventilated spaces. Within the UK the application of trickle vents is required to meet the requirements of the Building Regulations, requirements are described in Guide F, Means of Ventilation.
Effect on indoor environment
Trickle vents will help avoid problems associated with poor ventilation in naturally ventilated spaces, including, reduced risk of condensationCondensation
Condensation is the change of the physical state of matter from gaseous phase into liquid phase, and is the reverse of vaporization. When the transition happens from the gaseous phase into the solid phase directly, the change is called deposition....
, avoided over ventilation (minimizing energy consumption), improved comfort through draft avoidance.
Drawbacks
The US Standard, ASHRAEAmerican Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers is an international technical society for all individuals and organizations interested in heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration...
62.1-2007: Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality, only requires 4% of net floor area to be operable. This creates the potential for increased energy consumption where natural ventilation is provided by operable windows where supplemental air conditioning
Air conditioning
An air conditioner is a home appliance, system, or mechanism designed to dehumidify and extract heat from an area. The cooling is done using a simple refrigeration cycle...
is provided, in addition to generally poor control over ventilation rates during hot summer or cold winter conditions.
Further reading
- Crafti, Stephen. The Ultimate Urban Makeover: Unique Architectural Renovations. Images Publishing, 2007. ISBN 1864701714.