First Principles - Sustainable Design: The Science of Sustainability and Green Engineering - page 70

Figure S2.7 Air movement within a building.
From Brown and DeKay, Sun, Wind and Light , Wiley, Hoboken, NJ.
able to harness the stack and venturi effects to create negative pressure and
ventilate the interior of a building without relying on mechanical means.
Similar strategies are available by recognizing the thermal inertia of heavy
structures and how this can be used to smooth temperature fluctuations and
avoid extreme swings in temperature.
Applying principles of natural convection has also led to recent energy-
saving innovations in the form of chilled beam technology (see Fig. S2.8).
Chilled beams combine the principles of radiant cooling systems with the prin-
ciples of natural convection as air from occupied areas flows into the ceiling
cavity, where the air passes between the chilled beam's coils and is cooled,
falling back into the occupied zone, while air that is heated rises and flows
into the void created by the descending cool air. The result is improvement
in comfort levels for occupants and the elimination of much of the ductwork
and mechanical system equipment required above the ceiling in traditional
heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems.