Air Movement and Comfort in Home Architect Design

1. Air movement creates a cooling effect by increasing the evaporation of perspiration. Draughts increase the perception of feeling cold.
   
2. Avoid convection draughts by designing floor plans and furnishing layouts so that cooled return air paths from windows and external walls to heaters or thermal mass sources are along traffic areas.
   
3. Create draught free nooks for sitting, dining and sleeping.
   
4. Use ceiling fans to circulate warm air evenly in rooms and push it down from the ceiling to living areas. For low ceilings, use fans with reversible blade direction.

DESIGN FOR CONVECTIVE AIR MOVEMENT

1. •Convection currents are created when heat rises to the ceiling and air cooled by windows and external walls is drawn back along the floor to the heat source.
2. •Convective air movement must be designed carefullycan be used to great benefit with careful design or can be a major source of thermal discomfort with poor design.
3. •Analyse warm air flows by visualising a helium filled balloon riding the thermal currents. Where would it go? Where would it be trapped?
4. •Analyse cool air flows by visualising where water would run if you left an upstairs tap on.

SINGLE STOREY HOME DESIGN

1. •Minimise convective air movement in winter with insulation of walls, glazing and ceilings. Some convection will still occur and is a major means of passive heat distribution in any home.
2. •Controlled convection can be used to warm rooms not directly exposed to heat sources. It can also reduce unwanted heat loss from rooms that do not require heating.
3. •Opening or closing doors will control the return air flow but impact on privacy. Use vents that can be opened or sealed.
4. •Highlight louvres or transom panels over doors promote and control movement of the warmest air at ceiling level whilst retaining privacy.
5. •Floor to ceiling doors are effective in facilitating air movement.
   
   MULTI-STOREY HOME DESIGN
   

1. •Place the majority of thermal mass and the main heating sources at lower levels.
2. •Use high insulation levels and lower (or no) thermal mass at upper levels.
3. •Ensure upper levels can be closed off to stop heat rising in winter and overheating in summer.
4. •Use stairs to direct cool air draughts back to heat sources, located away from sitting areas.
   •Avoid open balcony rails. They allow cool air to fall like a waterfall into spaces below.
5. •Use ceiling fans to push warm air back to lower levels
6. •Minimise window areas at upper levels and double glaze. •Use close fitting drapes with snug pelmet boxes.
7. •Maximise the openable area of upper level windows for summer ventilation. Avoid fixed glazing.
8. •Locate bedrooms upstairs in cold climates so they are warmed by rising air.