Regardless of where we are – in the bedroom, in the kitchen or bathroom – fresh air allows us to feel better. With poor ventilation, residents are more susceptible to headaches, a decrease in concentration and fatigue. In addition, proper ventilation helps to prevent mold and fungus on the walls and maintains the optimal level of humidity and temperature.
Therefore, it is so important to carefully calculate the volume of air that should enter the room. Online calculators allow you to quickly perform such a calculation, based on the area, the height of the ceiling, the number of people and the purpose of the room. Let us consider in more detail how to calculate the power of ventilation for the home and why it is so important.
Online calculator for calculating air volume
The online air calculator is a convenient and simple tool. You need to enter several parameters: the area and height of the room, the purpose of the room and the number of people who are usually in it. Depending on the entered data, the calculator himself selects a suitable formula and calculates the ventilation power.
Why is it important to correctly calculate the ventilation power?
Each room has its own characteristics and needs in the fresh air. Due to insufficient ventilation, the air becomes chilled, the concentration of carbon dioxide increases, and humidity promotes the growth of mold and fungus. The correct calculation of the ventilation power allows maintaining optimal conditions in the rooms, protects against excess dampness and improves air quality.
To determine what volume of air is required for ventilation, there are special formulas. The calculation is based on two approaches: the calculation by the number of people and the calculation by the multiplicity of air exchange.
Calculation methods: by the number of people and by the multiplicity of air exchange
Calculation by the number of people
When the premises are residential, for example, a bedroom or living room, the volume of air is calculated based on the number of people. This method is based on the rate of air flow per person, which depends on the level of activity (for example, rest, work, sports).
In accordance with construction standards and rules (SNiP), the rest requires 20 cubic meters of fresh air per hour per person, for office work – 40 cubic meters, and for physical activity – up to 60 cubic meters per hour.
For calculation, we use the formula:
L = n x lnormWhere:
- NNN – the number of people indoors,
- Lnorm – the rate of air flow per person, m³/h.
For example, if two people are in the bedroom and each of them needs 20 m³/h of air (since the time in the bedroom is a rest time), then 40 m³/h of fresh air will be required to ensure comfortable conditions.
Calculation for the multiplicity of air exchange
For some rooms, for example, a kitchen or bathroom, where a constant flow of fresh air is required, a method of air exchange multiplication is used. The frequency shows how many times for an hour it is necessary to update the air in the room. For example, for the kitchen, the frequency is from 6 to 12 times per hour. At the same time, 1-2 times per hour is enough for living rooms.
The formula for calculating the multiplicity of air exchange looks like this:
L = s x h x n, where:
- S is the area of the room, m²,
- h – ceiling height, m,
- N is the frequency of air exchange.
Suppose that the kitchen in the apartment has an area of 10 m² and the height of the ceilings 2.7 m. For the kitchen, we select the average multiplication of air exchange – 8 times per hour. Then the calculation will be as follows:
L = 10 x 2.7 x 8 = 216 m³/h.
This means that the kitchen will require ventilation that provides air volume of 216 cubic meters per hour.
How different ventilation installations work
There are several types of ventilation equipment, and the choice depends on the purpose and area of the room, as well as on the necessary ventilation power. Depending on the tasks, you can install one device for the entire apartment or several different ones, providing an individual approach for different zones.
Supply installations supply fresh air into the room and clean it from pollution and allergens. The supply systems are most often installed in living rooms and bedrooms, where a constant influx of clean air is required. They can serve several rooms if the area is small, or to be separate for each room.
Expanded installations provide removal of spent air and excess moisture. They are ideal for kitchens and bathrooms, where you need to remove smells and humidity. Typically, such installations are installed separately for the kitchen and bathroom, since there are different air exchange parameters.
Primaries-exhaust installations with recovery combine the functions of the influx and hoods, maintaining the balance of supply and removed air. These systems are ideal for large apartments, as they are able to serve several rooms at once. In supply and exhaust systems with recovery, part of the heat is returned to the room, which allows you to save on heating in winter. For the apartment, you can install one supply and exhaust installation if it provides for wiring air ducts into different rooms.
Example of calculation for all rooms in the apartment
Consider the layout of an apartment in which there are the following rooms:
- Living room-kukhnya (26.64 m², height 2.7 m),
- Children’s boy (9.40 m², height 2.7 m),
- Children’s girls (10.96 m², height 2.7 m),
- Master of the spell (17.55 m², height 2.7 m),
- Bathrooms (areas 4.38 m² and 3.98 m², height 2.7 m).
Living room-kukhnya: This room combines the functions of a recreation area and kitchen, so we will use the method of air exchange multiplication. For a kitchen-dining room, a multiplicity of 8.
Calculation: l = 26.64 x 2.7 x 8 = 574 m³/h
Children’s boy: There is one child in this room. For children, as for adults, the comfortable flow of fresh air is about 20 m³/h. Therefore, for this room, calculation by the number of people:
L = 1 x 20 = 20 m³/h.
Children’s girls: One child also lives here, and the calculation is similar to the previous one: l = 1 x 20 = 20 m³/h
Master bedroom: In the bedroom there are two people, for rest they need 20 m³/h of air. Total l = 2 x 20 = 40 m³/h
Bathrooms: For such premises, an air exchange rate is usually required about 8. For the first bathroom (4.38 m²), the calculation will be L = 4.38 x 2.7 x 8 = 94.5 m³/h.
For the second bathroom (3.98 m²), the calculation will be: l = 3.98 x 2.7 x 8 = 86 m³/h/h
To calculate the total ventilation, we add the results:
Lobe = 574 + 20 + 20 + 40 + 94.5 + 86 = 834.5 m³/h
What ventilation is suitable for this apartment?
For a kitchen-living room, powerful ventilation is important, since here residents are preparing and resting. Therefore, a supply and exhaust unit with recovery is suitable here, which will provide a flow of fresh air into the recreation area and the removal of contaminated air from the kitchen area. If necessary, an additional exhaust fan can be installed in the kitchen part or connect the kitchen hood to the ventilation system.
For children’s and master, a supply and exhaust system working from one unit, which will provide fresh air in each room, is also suitable. The air ducts from the central ventilation unit will provide uniform distribution of supply air and removal of the spent, creating comfortable conditions for sleep and rest.
For bathrooms, a separate exhaust fan is enough. Its power should be calculated by the multiplicity of air exchange for removing humidity and smells. Exhaust fans can be installed in each bathroom with automatic inclusion to remove air during and after using the room.
Thus, one supply and exhaust installation with air recovery can serve the entire apartment, and individual exhaust fans will provide high-quality ventilation in places requiring intensive air exchange.
And taking into account the completed calculations for this apartment, the optimum will become the supply and exhaust ventilation system with a capacity of more than 835 m³/h. That is, a standard installation of 1000 m³/h is suitable. Such power will allow maintaining a comfortable microclimate in all rooms.
It is also important to install power regulators so that, depending on the conditions (for example, the number of people or time of day), the volume of the supplied air can be adjusted.
Conclusion
The correct calculation of ventilation power is necessary to ensure a healthy and comfortable microclimate. Online calculators simplify this process, automatically performing complex calculations. For residential rooms, the calculation method by the number of people is suitable, and for the kitchen and bathrooms – by the multiplicity of air exchange. The ventilation system, selected according to the results of the calculations, will become the key to comfort and comfort in the house.
