MERITS OF A NATURAL SYSTEM OF VENTILATION.

With a natural system of ventilation the warm vitiated air is continuously drawn off, as fast as it is generated, at the highest point to where it naturally ascends, an equivalent supply of fresh air entering at the lower levels through specially arranged inlets. Efficiency is secured in every season of the year, and in all conditions of the weatherin the coldest and foggiest day in winter and the closest and warmest day in summer. The fresh air supply is admitted at a low velocity directly through the walls in an upward direction and is thoroughly purified, and warmed or cooled as required. The special construction of the air inlet openings, gratings and tubes completely prevents the lodgment or accumulation of dust. They are also easily accessible for cleansing purposes. The importance of these features cannot be overrated. The air in a building is kept perfectly clear and pure even when there is a dense fog outside. It is always in action, day and night, and can never get out of order or break down, there being no movable parts. Requires the minimum of attention and is under perfect control. Can be installed at a fraction of the cost of mechanical or other artificial methods, and there is little, or no, after-expense for maintenance, according to the appliances adopted.

DE-MERITS
Natural ventilation generally fails (1) When, owing to a mistaken spirit of economy, a complete system is not adopted. (2) Where the outlet and inlet ventilators are insufficient in size and number, and not properly proportioned to each other. (3) Where the ventilators are of defective make, or are unskilfully arranged in their relation to each other. " My experience is that a natural system of ventilation is, in the long run, the most reliable and satisfactory, provided, of course, that properly constructed ventilators are employed, and that they are skilfully applied by a competent engineer. I am quite aware that there are many very indifferent ventilators in existence, and also incompetent persons who style themselves ' ventilating engineers,' and that natural ventilation under such auspices might, and probably would, prove a failure."HOUGHTON " The reputation of natural ventilation has suffered a good deal from the abortive attempts of individuals having little or no acquaintance with either the science or the practice of ventilation, and by the employment of so-called ventilating apparatus of crude and unscientific construction. The selection of ventilators is likewise sometimes left by an architect to the contractor, who naturally supplies those upon which he gets the largest profit, without troubling himself about their efficiency." Building News.

MECHNICAL VENTILATION
Mechanical ventilation is any method of using a power-driven fan to move air in a desired direction. These types of systems are commonly installed in bathrooms, on or near the ceilings, to remove moist air when showering or bathing. Mechanical ventilation systems are also installed above stovetops to remove water vapor, cooking smells and to exhaust the by-products of combustion for gas stoves. They are also installed in attics to increase the amount of air exchange with the outside, reducing moisture buildup and mitigating the chances of mold.

MERITS
Ventilation reduces the amount of moisture in the interior of a home. This moisture comes from people breathing, bathing and sweating, as well as from plants, cooking and stored firewood. As the moisture content of the air rises, the likelihood of mold and fungus taking hold increases as well. If the moisture content of a wooden structure exceeds 18 percent it can begin to deteriorate through rot. Your home needs a much dryer environment than you do, so trying to find the correct humidity is always a balance. Ventilating the house also brings fresher, cleaner air into the living environment. Common household cleaners and products evaporate and can create indoor air pollution.

DE-MERITS
The more you ventilate a home the more its heating and cooling efficiency is reduced. When you bring in the exterior air you increase the workload for your HVAC system. However, you can install heat recovery ventilators (HRV) to recover the energy lost through ventilation. Another disadvantage of mechanical ventilators is that they can depressurize a home. The modern home is so airtight that when you force air to the exterior it can lower the interior pressure. This can cause problems for natural vent appliances like furnaces and hot water heaters that need positive pressure to exhaust their combustion products out of the home. The negative pressure pulls these gasses into the living environment and are potentially very dangerous for the occupants.