Wind ventilation, how to extract heat in summer?

The wind energy in Spain is one of the main solutions for sustainable and renewable supplies. In our territory, windy areas are very common, and that is why we have seen that the windmills that generate energy thanks to the rotation of their blades have become part of the national landscape. However, for the labor sector or large indoor spaces, there is wind ventilation, which uses the same phenomenon of the well-known renewable source, only in this case, it is about renewing the air using only the air as an energy source.

Above all, we could say that using wind ventilation in Spain makes sense in places where the wind has enough strength. Certainly, the Iberian Peninsula is a place with many air movements, so this type of air renewal system is a good alternative to electric models. After all, wind energy in Spain each year generates more supplies. The wind is undoubtedly a great zero-cost energy solution. However, is it enough?

Wind ventilation is more common than it seems. For those who are unaware of its use, just look at the photo above and see the windsuckers, shaped like mushrooms, which are usually found on the roofs of many industrial buildings and large warehouses. They can also be used in houses.

We can say that the windsucker ventilation system is a mechanical ventilation system, although its main characteristic is that it operates with ventilators that use wind energy and never electricity. It is a totally sustainable solution since it uses the wind as an energy source.

Its operation is simple. Placed on the roof of a building, it has blades that allow the outside wind to enter and spin the extractor. In this way, it sucks in the air that is stored in the upper area of the building. What is its main benefit? Mainly, it is capable of providing a permanent renewal of air 24 hours a day, which offers better environmental conditions.

• Requires no maintenance and operates at all times.
• It does not generate noise as it is located outside and is not powered by electricity.
• It is completely renewable and its energy cost is zero.
• It is an ecological solution in poorly ventilated areas where stale air is generated.
• They are very economical to install.

The windsucker ventilation system must also take into account the admission of air. In many cases, it can be via strategically placed windows to create an airflow between each of the entrances and the extractor. This creates an airflow that, in summer, cools the rooms. Moreover, hot air tends to accumulate in the upper areas of a room, so it extracts it with the best results. That is why it is usually used more in warm environments.

It is very important to keep in mind that the extraction of air must be compensated with the admission through windows, doors, or ventilation grills. To ensure the health and proper functioning of the ventilation system, it is necessary to achieve a correct admission of air.

Pros and cons of wind ventilation

If we analyze the benefits and details of wind ventilation, we see that they are very similar to those of wind energy. The main advantages focus on the fact that it is a completely renewable and sustainable energy source. It is a zero cost air extraction.

The problem is that, as with wind energy, we cannot control when it is windy. If we are in a low-wind climate or are in a season where the wind does not blow, the system may not operate as it should. Likewise, it cannot store the energy generated while the extractor spins during windy moments: the windsucker only operates when the wind causes its blades to turn.

Another problem is that it does not adapt to the actual ventilation needs of a room. Mechanical ventilation systems usually have meters and sensors to always be aware of the actual air renewal needs and adapt to them. Thus, through forced ventilation, we can achieve a comfortable environment that ensures the necessary health of the air we breathe.

The double-flow mechanical ventilation, for example, guarantees maximum health indoors without the need to open windows or rely on external weather. It is capable of extracting air in precise amounts and also pushing quality filtered air based on the conditions of each room.

However, wind ventilation can be a good alternative in industrial places and warm climates where there is no other air renewal mechanism.