According to the theories and practices of green building in the United States, Alaska's climate is well-suited to closed-loop natural ventilation.
This type of ventilation is typically suitable for hot, dry climates with large diurnal temperature variations. It maintains a stable indoor temperature by opening the ventilation system
at night and closing windows during the day to block cold air.
Applicable Scenarios and Recommendations
Building Type:
Alaskan home design prioritizes insulation; therefore, attic ventilation (such as ridge vents or sofit vents) is crucial. This reduces the transfer of hot air into the room, lowering the heat load by approximately 30%.
High side windows or skylights can serve as hot air exhaust outlets, but they must be combined with ground-floor windows to create a complete airflow channel.
Climate Adaptability:
Alaskan winters are extremely cold, so open ventilation should be avoided to prevent heat loss. Closed-loop ventilation combined with mechanical assistance (such as fans) can improve energy
efficiency and reduce air conditioning energy consumption.
If natural ventilation is insufficient for comfort, mechanical cooling equipment is recommended as a priority.
Technical Reference:
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Arctic Homeland Security ADAC-ARCTIC Center of Excellence at the University of Alaska Anchorage focuses on challenges such as
communication infrastructure in the Arctic region, indirectly supporting research into building technologies for extreme climates.
Summary
Alaska is well-suited to a combination of enclosed natural ventilation and mechanical assistance, with a focus on addressing the cold climate through attic ventilation, high side window design,
and insulation measures. Specific implementation requires optimization based on local topography, wind speed, and building structure.
