Natural ventilation in Caribbean homes: a numerical investigation

Traditionally, residential buildings in the Caribbean relied on natural ventilation to regulate air quality and temperature. As urban areas developed, there was greater dependence on mechanical ventilation and air-conditioning. In a bid to reduce the carbon footprint, there is an impetus to promote methods of natural ventilation. This research study completes computational fluid dynamics analyses, using a typical contemporary model home as a case study, to investigate the natural ventilation performance of two types of ventilation blocks, Arcadian and Innovent, available for use in residences in Trinidad and Tobago. Differences in terms of internal air velocity due to varying wind directions are compared for each type of ventilation block used which are primarily positioned in the upper portions of the walls. The Arcadian has been used since the 1960s, with the Innovent being a more recent addition to the Caribbean construction landscape. The air velocities varied across the elevation, and the wind direction was a critical factor in achieving maximum air speeds at indoor locations. The elevation-averaged internal air flow velocities were similar for both ventilation blocks investigated, and the changes in wind direction showed no significant difference in the overall ventilation performance characteristics when comparing the two blocks.