Slab on Grade with Passive Ventilation

An elevated, ventilated slab can be built on top of an insulating pad. The pad and slab should be non-frost-susceptible (NFS) material. The ducts below ground surface can collect water, soil, or snow, and therefore air-intakes must be taller than peak snow height to allow for draft. Cold air is circulated through the duct system between the insulated floor and the ground layer. This approach utilizes wind and the stack effect. Therefore, the house should be designed with the air intake on the side of the home facing the prevailing wind of that region. The air outtake vent should be placed on the opposite side of the home at a greater height than the air intake vent.