The weather can change abruptly in Australia (especially in Melbourne, with its four seasons in a day!), and a proper ventilation system can increase natural airflow while preventing air leakage, rust, and condensation from forming.
Whether you've purchased a shipping container home or are looking into a long-term investment for off-the-grid living, this blog will be your ultimate guide to ventilation systems that make your living space comfortable and liveable throughout the year. If you’re a couple or a larger family, there are many reasons to consider what ventilation will work for you.
Although shipping containers are designed to be air and watertight (they are mostly used to ship goods across seawater), ventilation (and insulation) is crucial for shipping container homes.
Ventilation can also be tricky to get right. A space with excess ventilation can be hard to maintain at a desired temperature, whilst poor ventilation can lead to harmful impacts on health and comfort. Let's look at some of the reasons why it's good to invest in reliable ventilation:
Rust: Lack of ventilation can lead to a build-up of condensation, causing steel containers to rust and affecting plumbing and general metal pipework. Repairing rusting containers can also be time-consuming and costly.
Temperature control: As a shipping container home absorbs heat from sunlight (outdoor temperatures), heat can be trapped inside
Condensation: When humid air inside a shipping container comes into contact with the colder surface of the wall, this causes condensation or droplets of water. Areas can become damp and develop mould or mildew, which becomes a bigger problem for your items such as clothing and books.
When building your dream mobile home, it's a good idea to understand the different kinds of ventilation systems for climate control. Let's look at the different types of shipping container ventilation.
Making use of convection and wind, this type of ventilation allows you to ventilate your home naturally and efficiently.
Similar to cross ventilation, stack ventilation is more vertical and less dependent on wind, but heat from the sun causes air to rise. With low and high openings, air enters at the bottom and exists at the top.
As the Australian climate has high humidity, mechanical ventilation is helpful, as passive ventilation is insufficient.
Adding an extractor fan (exhaust-only mechanical ventilation) extracts the humidity out of your home before it settles on the surface and turns into unwanted moisture.
Vents, open windows and doors in your container home allow wind to blow air to one side of your container and out the other side.
Positive pressure accumulates in the room where the wind pushes air into one ventilation opening. The second opening allows this pressure to go back to atmospheric pressure. Ventilation provided by a single vent isn't as effective.
The polar opposite of mechanical ventilation is supply-only. Instead of the fan pushing stale air out of your home, the fan brings fresh air in.
This is useful when your shipping container has passive ventilation systems, and you want to increase passive ventilation on warmer days.
The balanced ventilation system is an expensive option and involves having fans to push stale air out so the air inside is fresh. Air can be sent throughout your shipping container home using ductwork.
For bathrooms and kitchens (which are more moisture-prone) air can be extracted and fresh air blown to your lounge or bedroom.
What about dehumidification? Preventing many problems caused by poor ventilation, a dehumidifier cuts back the water content in the air. This way, your containers won't corrode.
There is also ventilation that is within the foundation of your shipping container (also known as crawl-space ventilation). A slab foundation cannot physically ventilate, but a concrete foundation (or any type of raised foundation), will need the right amount of airflow underneath your container home.
If you don't ventilate underneath, condensation can return, and moisture can rise from underneath the containers and into your flooring.
Built to be airtight, shipping containers present benefits and also challenging properties when converted into homes. Special considerations need to be made during the design and construction phases.
As certain parts of Australia have sweltering summers and freezing winters, it's critical for a shipping container to be airtight. Exterior humidity levels can fluctuate throughout the year and interior humidity can exceed your level of comfort. Ventilation systems need to adapt well to unexpected temperature changes. So, how does Sonic Steel's ventilation system balance airtightness with fresh air exchange?
Besides natural cross ventilation with operable windows, Sonic Steel uses Heat Recovery Ventilator (or HRV) for controlled mechanical ventilation.
This system retains up to 85% of thermal energy and invites fresh, filtered air in exchange with stagnant air. During cold winter nights, you can stay warm (and enjoy fresh ventilated air) for around 8W of energy. Maintaining a constant humidity level inside the shipping container, excess moisture is eliminated from washing, cooking, and breathing.
Naber THERMOBOX is used by Sonic Steel to enhance airtightness and energy efficiency and stop backdraught through the kitchen exhaust. Instead of electricity, the THERMOBOX uses air as an insulating medium.
The system consists of triple dampers arranged one behind the other and sealed by a magnet. When closed, these flaps form two chambers that trap air, reducing heat loss.
THERMOBOX makes sure that hot or cold air remains outside (even during strong winds), preventing valuable heating and cooler energy from escaping when the range hood is not in use.
Milu: Part of Sonic Steel's mission is to create a fresh, comfortable living environment that addresses the toilet odour issue. We use Milu Odourless Toilet for flush systems.
This features an in-built fan that quietly extracts odours directly from the toilet bowl and discharges them into the sewer. The Milu also uses a hygienic, easy-to-clean rimless bowl with a powerful flush. The design includes a soft-close seat and lid for comfort.
Panfan: Panfan is a sophisticated ventilation system that extracts odours directly from the toilet bowl and vents them outside!
Operating quietly and with minimal energy consumption, this ventilation technology ensures that odours are removed, contributing to a fresh and pleasant bathroom experience.
Sonic Steel uses Daikin's split system A/C for efficient, reliable climate control and indoor temperature regulation.
Circulating internal air continuously to maintain your ideal indoor temperature, Daikin systems use inverter technology to adjust the compressor speed based on cooling demand.
Sonic Steel’s unique VenSulation system is the only one on the market that addresses ventilation, shipping container insulation, and condensation for container homes. Reach out to us for more information on our high-quality, relocatable homes.
Within the greenery of Aireys Inlet, Mark 2T is a collaboration between a client and Sonic Steel.
This project includes 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and an open plan with living and kitchen, capable of accommodating any family's needs during every stage of life. It blends indoor and outdoor living with full height sliding door and picture frame windows (which are high-performing with timber frames).
With a highly efficient design in both spatial arrangement, thermal insulation and, of course, ventilation, the Mark 2T boasts cosy interior spaces that are charming and intimate, creating a welcoming atmosphere to relax and unwind.
Special features include Miglas windows and doors, Zehnder CA200 HRV, a Reclaim heat pump, external shades, cork tile interior cladding, and more. The Mark 2T ticks all the boxes for being highly efficient and ensuring a family home that is healthy and comfortable.
If you're looking for advice on moisture control, shipping container vents, proper ventilation, or general shipping container modification, Sonic Steel is a reliable shipping container supplier offering many designs.
Do you want a more sustainable living solution? Whether you want to purchase a shipping container home in Victoria, NSW, SA, or anywhere across Australia, Sonic Steel container homes are FULLY CUSTOMISABLE.
Sonic Steel has been a leading business in the shipping container industry for nearly a decade, beginning as a repair and maintenance service provider before expanding into shipping container modifications and the construction of unique, functional container homes!
Drawing from an architectural background, we blend our engineering knowledge with the technical skills to create homes that embody the company values of quality and excellence.
Download one of our brochures today for a closer look at how we can bring your off-grid systems living, relocatable container home dreams to life. From the container size to a wide range of insulation options, Sonic Steel ensures you a comfortable temperature. You don't need to worry about moisture build-up during a rainy day.
If you have a question, a request, or a concern, contact us at 0431 059 331, email enquiry@sonicsteel.com.au or visit us in Brooklyn, Victoria, by appointment. Our partners include Great Escape Finance, the Council Approval Group, Water Wally, and more.
Planning to build a shipping container home this year? You can save up to $5,000 in delivery costs towards your project.
With the Tiny Home Expos in Brisbane, Adelaide, and Canberra in the coming months, we are offering FREE DELIVERY (*up to $5,000) to each state the Expo is in exchange for using your project as a display at the show.
Offer expires 8 weeks before each Expo and is limited to ONE Project per Expo ONLY. Reach out to us to secure your spot!
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Pros and Cons of Living in a Shipping Container Home
Queensland Tiny Home Expo | 29 September – 1 October 2023