Introduction
Ventilation plays a critical role in maintaining healthy indoor environments, particularly in spaces where air quality and comfort are paramount. Traditionally, ventilation systems fall into two primary categories: mixing (or dilution) ventilation and displacement ventilation. Each of these approaches has distinct principles and performance characteristics, but a new solution—Aerefy Ventilation—is taking the concept even further.
Mixing vs. Displacement Ventilation
Mixing ventilation systems introduce air into a space at high velocities, encouraging rapid mixing of supply air with the room air. This results in relatively uniform temperatures and contaminant levels throughout the zone. It’s a tried-and-true method, but not without its limitations—especially when it comes to energy use and indoor air quality in critical areas.
Displacement ventilation, on the other hand, is designed to minimize mixing. Air is delivered at low velocities, typically near the floor or in low-traffic areas. Buoyancy forces generated by heat sources (such as people, lighting, and equipment) naturally drive warm, contaminated air upward and out of the occupied zone. This creates a stratified environment with cleaner air in the breathing zone and reduced energy usage.
Ventilation Evolved
Building on the advantages of displacement ventilation, Aerefy Ventilation introduces a smart, responsive approach to air extraction that prioritizes air quality, energy efficiency, and dynamic control.
Aerefy uses intelligent extract air valves that monitor key air quality indicators—humidity, VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds), and CO₂ levels. These valves automatically open or close based on real-time data, ensuring that contaminated air is removed quickly and efficiently. This approach drastically reduces the chances of stale air recirculating into occupied zones.
Unlike traditional systems, Aerefy extract valves are not used for air supply. In some areas Aerefy valves can also be used for fresh air, but those locations should not exceed 30% of the total fresh air supply due to the raising inbalances between supply and exhaust. Fresh air is introduced separately through a low-pressure free-flow supply system, unless integrated with cooling, in which case factors like airspeed and temperature need to be considered. Aerefy team of experienced ventilation engineers are happy to help in engineering perfect solution in the building design phase.
Focused Extraction, Not Circulation
The core philosophy behind Aerefy is to remove contaminated air directly at its source, minimizing unnecessary mixing with clean air. This ensures higher air quality in occupied areas while using less energy overall. In contrast to balanced systems that often result in uniform air distribution regardless of need, Aerefy dynamically adapts to actual occupancy and air quality conditions.
A Self-Balancing System
Another hallmark of Aerefy is its self-balancing design. The system’s Central Unit continuously maintains a balance between supply and extract airflows. Each ventilation section’s maximum required air volume is calculated to determine duct sizes and grille counts—no guesswork involved.
Notably, the Central Unit’s capacity isn’t simply the sum of all possible air demands across the building. Instead, it’s based on the total number of expected occupants, assuming that not all zones are in use simultaneously. This allows for downsizing the Central Unit, resulting in cost savings without compromising performance.
The Future of Indoor Air Quality
With a more responsive, intelligent, and efficient design, Aerefy represents the next generation of ventilation systems. By combining real-time air quality monitoring with smart extraction and a self-balancing supply-exhaust mechanism, Aerefy delivers superior comfort, cleaner air, and operational savings.
Whether you’re designing a new building or upgrading an existing one, Aerefy offers a compelling solution for anyone who prioritizes healthy, efficient, and future-proof ventilation.