Buildings can be ventilated and/or cooled by taking advantage of naturally occurring wind currents.

Window openings located perpendicular to prevailing winds, and coupled with openings on the opposite side of a space or building, will provide natural ventilation for fresh air and/or space cooling. Adequate cross ventilation will remove heat from a space or building and maintain indoor air temperatures approximately 1.5 C° (2.7 F°) above the outdoor air temperatures.

Guidelines for cross ventilation:

  • Locate inlet openings perpendicular to (or at most ±45° from) the prevailing winds.
  • Locate outlet openings on the opposite side of inlet openings, and make them equal to, or greater in size than, the inlet openings.

Maintain an unobstructed path between inlet and outlet openings for adequate airflow.