ᐅ Controlled ventilation system in a bungalow: Is it necessary to lower the ceiling?

Funny enough, I just had my appointment with the heating/plumbing specialist and we talked about a previously unplanned mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery. Besides the cost for the ventilation system itself, he estimated additional planning and construction costs for thickening the precast concrete ceiling and modifying the upper floor ceiling. I didn’t ask further during the appointment because the exact extra cost will come from the general contractor anyway. But he estimated total additional costs of around 18,000 EUR.

Is that really the only option? Do the ducts for the ground floor have to be embedded in the precast concrete ceiling? Is it not possible to lower the ceiling? Does lowering it actually save any costs?

He didn’t mention anything about routing under the floor...

Best regards

Tolentino

Tolentino schrieb:

So, do the pipes for the ground floor have to be installed within the precast hollow core slab?

No, it is also possible to install them on the structural slab, inside the walls, or using boxed soffits or suspended ceilings.

Whether this is more cost-effective depends on the specific calculations and cannot be generalized, as pricing varies between contractors.

In our KfW55 bungalow with a cold roof, the ventilation ducts are completely integrated into the ground floor ceiling, basically between the Fermacell boards, insulation, and battens, and the mechanical ventilation unit is mounted below the ceiling. I wouldn’t want it any other way; as a result, all the ventilation outlets are in the ceiling, so we don’t have any grilles in the floor. Additionally, having the unit in the ceiling freed up wall space in the utility room. But of course, all this is a matter of personal preference.

I would also prefer ventilation valves in the ceiling, but I would avoid routing the pipes *inside* a concrete ceiling (a wooden ceiling is a different matter) unless absolutely necessary. Flat ducts on the bare ceiling (essentially within the insulation) work just fine.

The minimum ceiling height for living spaces is 2.50 m (8 ft 2 in) in Berlin and 2.30 m (7 ft 7 in) in Brandenburg.
When a construction company offers a standard, it is often 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in).
With controlled residential ventilation and higher floors or suspended ceilings, the entire floor height must be increased to meet the 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) minimum ceiling height. This often leads to additional costs from the construction company for the increased volume and drywall work.
Why do people build bunker-like ventilation systems in bungalows, using calculated values based on windows being closed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year?
Living in a bungalow with a terrace, garden, natural light, and fresh outdoor air is exactly what people are looking for.

I fear that in the coming years, people will have airlocks for residents and only fixed glazing instead of patio doors to meet calculated maximum values,
resulting in houses with no windows and only screens for the next 20 years… where will this lead?
Best regards, Nida

A mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery in a bungalow significantly increases comfort. You can still open the windows and doors, but even when they are closed, the air remains fresh.

This has nothing to do with a bunker. It is more comparable to an office building, restaurant, or similar.

But yes, those who have it do not want to give it up, and those who do not have it do not miss it and do not understand the other side either.