A Quick Guide to Fresh Air Intake Louvers
Fresh air intake louvers might not be the most glamorous part of a commercial building, but their importance can’t be overstated. Fresh air intakes bring clean, fresh air into a building while keeping out rain, debris, and critters. Sure, they’re working behind the scenes, but if they weren’t there, you would definitely notice. That’s why choosing the right intake louver for your building isn’t just an item on the checklist.
It’s a critical step to ensuring a building’s efficiency, safety, and comfort and requires selecting products from brands that have earned a reputation for performance and durability. United Enertech’s intake louvers are up for the challenge.
What Are Fresh Air Intake Louvers?
Fresh air intake louvers are designed to let fresh air into a building while keeping out the things you don’t want like rain, snow, or dirt. They’re made up of blades, usually positioned on the outside of the building, and act as an HVAC system’s first line of defense. Fresh air intakes do more than just block the bad stuff. They also make sure good, clean air flows freely into your HVAC system. It’s a balance that is easy to notice when things don’t work right.
Why Are Fresh Air Intake Louvers Used?
So why don’t buildings just use entirely fresh air to keep the indoor air quality at its best? Conditioning fresh air is much more expensive than recirculating already conditioned, but stale, air. There is an economic balance between bringing in fresh air and recirculating existing air. Fresh air intakes help by allowing into the building what you need while keeping out what you don’t. If they weren’t doing their job, you’d probably notice a lot more than just a few blocked vents. You’d notice failing HVAC systems, poor air quality, and costly repairs.
Oh, and don’t forget about energy efficiency. When louvers are doing their job well, they allow the right amount of outdoor air to flow in without making your HVAC system work overtime. That’s how you keep energy costs down and build performance up. You might not think about it, but louvers play a role in creating more sustainable, cost-effective buildings.
Types of Fresh Air Intake Louvers
Not all louvers are created equal. The type of louver you need depends on your building’s specific ventilation requirements. Some of the most common types of fresh air intakes include:
Fixed Louvers
Fixed louvers are just what they sound like. The blades are stationary, which means you’re getting a consistent flow of air, rain or shine. These are perfect for buildings that need steady ventilation without too much fuss. Think of them as the no-nonsense option. They just work, day in and day out. For many situations, fixed louvers are the perfect solution.
Adjustable Louvers
Now, adjustable louvers are a bit different. With these, you can control the blades to adjust the airflow. So, if your building has varying ventilation needs, let’s say it’s different in summer versus winter or varies throughout the day, adjustable louvers give you the flexibility to manage that. It’s like having a dimmer switch for your airflow. When conditions change, these louvers can adapt.
Miami-Dade Louvers
Some louvers have to be designed to take a beating. Fresh air intakes for buildings in hurricane prone regions will often have to surpass Miami-Dade County requirements. Louvers that meet these requirements can be fixed or adjustable but are much stronger and more durabile. They are required to withstand some serious impacts and continue to work.
Combination Louvers/Dampers
Sometimes you want the consistency of fixed louvers with the adaptability of adjustable louvers. Combination louvers/dampers are there for just that purpose. These devices offer the consistent sight lines of a fixed louver with a damper behind them so that airflow can be adjusted. While sometimes more expensive, these louver/damper combos are the most adaptable to any application.
Where Should Fresh Air Intake Louvers Be Used?
The placement of these louvers is just as important as the louvers themselves. They’re typically installed on exterior walls or rooftops, areas where they can draw in fresh air without exposing the building to the elements. Fresh air intakes should be carefully positioned so that it is actually fresh air that they are picking up. Fresh air intakes positioned right by exhaust louvers or vents can easily pick up the bad air being exhausted instead of clean, fresh air.
United Enertech Has The Fresh Air Experts
United Enertech is known for providing high-quality, innovative louver solutions that cater to the unique needs of modern commercial buildings. Our products are designed to stand up to the elements while ensuring optimal airflow and energy efficiency. Whether you’re looking for a fixed louver to keep things simple or a more complex combination unit, United Enertech has the right solution for your project.
Fresh air intake louvers might not be the first thing on your mind when designing a building, but they’re critical for maintaining air quality, protecting HVAC systems, and improving energy efficiency. United Enertech’s range of fresh air intake louvers offers reliable, durable solutions for any commercial building.
For help finding the right fresh air intakes for your building, reach out to the fresh air intake experts at United Enertech today.