Hello everyone,
We are currently starting to deal with the technical aspects of our single-family home.
I haven’t found a thread discussing whether a ventilation system generally makes sense or not. So here is a general discussion thread on the topic:
At first, we looked into various timber frame construction providers, which made us quite sensitive in this area. Naturally, a ventilation system is quite important due to the tighter building envelope, which I can completely understand. However, everything is also marketed accordingly...
Since we have now decided to go with a regional solid construction company, completely different questions arise:
I currently have a detailed offer from a solid construction company:
- $10,000 additional cost for thermal insulation measures
- $13,000 additional cost for a central ventilation system or $9,000 additional cost for a decentralized ventilation system
--> So the repayment subsidy of $18,000 is of little use to me; on the contrary, I am even paying extra for this (of course, I get a “better” house in return).
Key Data:
- Single-family home city villa, 150m² (1,615 ft²) with basement
- Air-to-water heat pump
- Building material: brick
The questions I am now asking myself:
1. Is a ventilation system even necessary to achieve KfW 55 standard?
2. If yes, would it maybe make more sense to go for KfW 70 and forget about the subsidy?
3. Is a ventilation system really that great? There are many reports about noise, high maintenance, etc.
4. If yes, in our building project would a decentralized or central system be better? I have read a lot of positive things about decentralized systems, so central ones might not be an option? Is that correct or not?
5. Is it even possible to reach KfW 55 standard otherwise? Do you really have to ventilate every 2 hours? Are there any experiences?
6. Is the additional $10,000 cost for KfW 55 without a ventilation system justified? Are the prices for the ventilation systems justified?
I know this is an endless debate and there are clearly two opinions here. However, we find it really difficult to make a decision. Maybe a few discussions and information here will help us make up our minds.
We are currently starting to deal with the technical aspects of our single-family home.
I haven’t found a thread discussing whether a ventilation system generally makes sense or not. So here is a general discussion thread on the topic:
At first, we looked into various timber frame construction providers, which made us quite sensitive in this area. Naturally, a ventilation system is quite important due to the tighter building envelope, which I can completely understand. However, everything is also marketed accordingly...
Since we have now decided to go with a regional solid construction company, completely different questions arise:
I currently have a detailed offer from a solid construction company:
- $10,000 additional cost for thermal insulation measures
- $13,000 additional cost for a central ventilation system or $9,000 additional cost for a decentralized ventilation system
--> So the repayment subsidy of $18,000 is of little use to me; on the contrary, I am even paying extra for this (of course, I get a “better” house in return).
Key Data:
- Single-family home city villa, 150m² (1,615 ft²) with basement
- Air-to-water heat pump
- Building material: brick
The questions I am now asking myself:
1. Is a ventilation system even necessary to achieve KfW 55 standard?
2. If yes, would it maybe make more sense to go for KfW 70 and forget about the subsidy?
3. Is a ventilation system really that great? There are many reports about noise, high maintenance, etc.
4. If yes, in our building project would a decentralized or central system be better? I have read a lot of positive things about decentralized systems, so central ones might not be an option? Is that correct or not?
5. Is it even possible to reach KfW 55 standard otherwise? Do you really have to ventilate every 2 hours? Are there any experiences?
6. Is the additional $10,000 cost for KfW 55 without a ventilation system justified? Are the prices for the ventilation systems justified?
I know this is an endless debate and there are clearly two opinions here. However, we find it really difficult to make a decision. Maybe a few discussions and information here will help us make up our minds.
Tarnari schrieb:
A colleague told me that in some hotel in Asia, they don’t have traditional heaters anymore, just air conditioning units with heating functions in the rooms. So one device does it all.
Kind of like “forget about electricity costs, as long as it works.” As tomtom79 already mentioned, this is common everywhere in Asia, Europe, and worldwide, especially in hotels.
It’s called a heat pump.
Here, it’s often marketed to homeowners as something new and high-tech, but everywhere else it’s an established, well-known technology.
Mycraft schrieb:
As tomtom79 already mentioned, this is common all over Asia, Europe, and worldwide, especially in hotels.
It's called a heat pump.
Only here in this country do builders present it as something new and high-tech, while everywhere else it's considered old news. The fact that this is a heat pump has already been discussed extensively in another thread.
I don’t find it high-tech either, more rather curious.
P
pagoni202014 Nov 2020 13:04Tego12 schrieb:
You just need to do a bit of bedtime exercise in the evening....
Reactions: Nummer12 with a like.......
Wonderful....... probably unintentionally funny........
We are currently planning our single-family home and are now in the final phase of gathering quotes from two general contractors and an architect. Three people with four different opinions about the ventilation system make the decision even more complicated for a layperson.
At this point, we are leaning towards installing a centralized ventilation system but have significant concerns regarding noise levels. Since this is, of course, a subjective experience, it doesn’t make the decision any easier.
My fiancée is extremely sensitive to noise. Things I don’t even notice, she finds loud and disturbing. Perceptions vary greatly, which is why I have serious doubts.
If I understand correctly, the ventilation system should not be turned off, for example, during the night. On one hand, turning it off would defeat the purpose of the ventilation system, and on the other hand, if I’m right, it could cause damage to the system.
Would it, however, be conceivable for the system to “shut down” temporarily, for example in the bedroom between 11:00 PM and 2:00 AM, or does a ventilation system actually have to operate 24/7?
Many thanks for your feedback.
At this point, we are leaning towards installing a centralized ventilation system but have significant concerns regarding noise levels. Since this is, of course, a subjective experience, it doesn’t make the decision any easier.
My fiancée is extremely sensitive to noise. Things I don’t even notice, she finds loud and disturbing. Perceptions vary greatly, which is why I have serious doubts.
If I understand correctly, the ventilation system should not be turned off, for example, during the night. On one hand, turning it off would defeat the purpose of the ventilation system, and on the other hand, if I’m right, it could cause damage to the system.
Would it, however, be conceivable for the system to “shut down” temporarily, for example in the bedroom between 11:00 PM and 2:00 AM, or does a ventilation system actually have to operate 24/7?
Many thanks for your feedback.
R
RotorMotor29 Nov 2020 10:31Mlt1402 schrieb:
By now, we are leaning towards installing a central ventilation system, Good decision.
Mlt1402 schrieb:
however, we have major concerns about the noise levels. Since this is, of course, a subjective experience, it doesn’t make the decision any easier.
My fiancée is extremely sensitive to noise. Things I don’t even hear, she finds loud and disturbing. Perceptions vary that much. So I have serious doubts. It’s hard to say much about that. It’s probably very individual.
Try to listen to some demo units at friends’ places, show homes, etc.
Mlt1402 schrieb:
If I understand correctly, you are not supposed to turn off the ventilation system, for example at night. On one hand, that would defeat the purpose of the ventilation system, and on the other hand, I heard the system might get damaged if it’s turned off.
Would it be conceivable for the system to, for instance, “deactivate” in the bedroom between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m., or does a ventilation system actually have to run 24/7? This is the first time I hear that a central mechanical ventilation system shouldn’t be switched off.
What exactly would get damaged? Definitely not the fan. Nor the ductwork.
You should make sure that no deposits build up in the exhaust air that could then enter the living space when the system is off.
For a decentralized system, I see the problem that when it’s turned off, uncontrolled air exchange between inside and outside could cause significant heat loss.
But I don’t think that applies to a central system.
So if the central mechanical ventilation is off, it’s basically as if you don’t have one at all.
For a few hours, that should certainly not be a problem?!
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