Natural cooling is boosted when air flow is maximized. This usually works best when the building is less than 50 feet deep and work desks are less than 25 feet from a window. A building oriented toward the paths of sun and wind might have a facade that uses balconies, windows, air intakes, and sunshades to modulate solar heat intake. Passive lighting lowers internal heat buildup, landscaping can provide shade, and a building's color can determine how much solar heat is absorbed.
Natural ventilation is more successful in moderate climates than in extremely hot or cold climates.
Humidity requires more air flow to evaporate perspiration from the skin and make occupants feel cooler. For fluctuating climates, ventilation may be switched from natural to mechanical on a daily or seasonal basis, bringing in fresh air when it is cool and dry. Climates that are hot during the day and cool at night can use natural ventilation at night to expel the diurnal heat gain. The drawbacks of natural ventilation are that it may bring in pollen and dirt from outdoors if filters are not used. Acoustics are also an issue-both in bringing in noise from outside and in increased sound transmission from openings provided for air flow.