Air conditioning or natural ventilation? Chances are, you’ve heard good and bad things about both. So, which one is truly better? In this blog, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of air conditioning as well as natural ventilation, so you can make an educated choice on which one to implement in your home.
The Impacts on Your Health
Natural ventilation is exactly what it says on the tin: natural! While this can be appealing, keep in mind that natural ventilation can have other negative health impacts. For one, ventilation allows more natural contaminants to enter your home than an air conditioner would. Meanwhile, ACs with proper air filtration provide better indoor air quality, so contaminants aren’t being moved through the home.
For homeowners with allergies or asthma, air conditioning may be a better option. Indoor air quality is a major concern when dealing with these issues, so be sure to take them into account. With natural ventilation, more dust and debris will flow through the home and cause you discomfort. A high-quality AC system provides air filtration that will keep any allergens out of your home, so you can keep breathing easy. However, don’t forget that you’ll also need to keep your ducts clean with regular duct cleaning appointments.
The Cost Benefits
Air conditioning and natural ventilation have different benefits when it comes to costs. Air conditioning increases your energy bills. The exact amount depends on several factors, including location, the size of your home, and your system’s energy efficiency. The more efficient your system, the lower your energy bills will be, so be sure to invest in a high-efficiency system.
Meanwhile, natural ventilation can require additional bills such as more frequent central vacuum cleaning–but you won’t have to deal with those pesky energy bills!
Comfort Level
The biggest concern homeowners have about natural ventilation is the lack of control they have over it. The weather is variable, and you can’t always rely on ventilation to cool you down. For example, natural ventilation is not a good idea if you live in a particularly hot or humid climate. In fact, it won’t help at all in those circumstances!
Natural ventilation is more suited to cooler climates. If you live in a cooler area and want natural ventilation, you’ll still need to be ready to invest in annual air duct cleaning services. Without clean ducts, you’ll be circulating allergens and contaminants throughout your home all day long!
Energy Efficiency
You might think that natural ventilation is more energy-efficient than an air conditioning system. This is a common misconception. In reality, many people who use natural ventilation run fans around the clock, heavily driving up their energy usage. If you’re considering natural ventilation, you need to consider how often you’ll be using fans and other cooling devices.
On the other hand, air conditioning systems are less energy-efficient upfront. However, they continue to become more and more energy-efficient as the years go by. Advancements in technology have led to less energy being wasted, resulting in significant energy bill reductions.
Ultimately, several factors will affect the energy efficiency of natural ventilation and AC systems. This includes where you live, the size of your home, and the system you’re using. While in certain situations natural ventilation may be significantly more energy-efficient, it can be the complete opposite in other circumstances.
Air Conditioner Installation and Air Duct Cleaning Edmonton
Whether you’re installing an air conditioner or sticking with natural ventilation, Clean Air Solutions is here to help. Our expert team is committed to performing fast and reliable HVAC services. Contact us to learn more about installing air conditioners, cleaning air ducts, or any of the other home services we offer.
