ᐅ Ventilation System in a Single-Family Home Not Working – Planning Mistake?
Created on: 1 Feb 2021 19:35
J
jeti79
Hello everyone,
We have now been living for 2 years (since November 2018) in our detached house with a pitched roof, built according to the 2016 energy saving regulations, equipped with a central ventilation system (Wolf CWL300). Unfortunately, we have not been satisfied with the "performance" of the ventilation system from the start. We repeatedly called our installer in the beginning, but after about the eighth visit, he gave up and simply said, "The building is full of moisture at the beginning, so it’s normal for the air quality to be poor for two years." We consider this a poor excuse.
Our dissatisfaction mainly comes from the fact that we have had the chance to compare with neighboring houses (all in the same development with similar new build standards), where the air quality is usually significantly better than in our house. This means: despite the ventilation system running continuously (on occupancy mode at about 190 m³/h [190 cubic meters per hour]), the air in our house is almost always stuffy, whether we are home or not. Although the installer advised against it, we have actually been leaving the windows open every night lately because the air in the bedroom feels used up after 3-4 hours. It’s the same situation in the children's rooms.
Even when we come to the ground floor in the morning (where nobody has been all night), the air quality is anything but good. So, as we did before, we immediately open the windows in the morning.
Of course, I assume that we might be making some mistakes ourselves, but I would like to find out if there might also be (major?) planning errors in our system? Is it even possible to determine that remotely? What information would you need from us?
I have attached a layout showing how the supply and exhaust valves are installed on the upper and ground floors. The system is installed in the attic. I change the filters regularly every month (because it’s a new development), and the chimneys on the roof are the required >2.5 m (over 8 feet) apart from each other.
We have now been living for 2 years (since November 2018) in our detached house with a pitched roof, built according to the 2016 energy saving regulations, equipped with a central ventilation system (Wolf CWL300). Unfortunately, we have not been satisfied with the "performance" of the ventilation system from the start. We repeatedly called our installer in the beginning, but after about the eighth visit, he gave up and simply said, "The building is full of moisture at the beginning, so it’s normal for the air quality to be poor for two years." We consider this a poor excuse.
Our dissatisfaction mainly comes from the fact that we have had the chance to compare with neighboring houses (all in the same development with similar new build standards), where the air quality is usually significantly better than in our house. This means: despite the ventilation system running continuously (on occupancy mode at about 190 m³/h [190 cubic meters per hour]), the air in our house is almost always stuffy, whether we are home or not. Although the installer advised against it, we have actually been leaving the windows open every night lately because the air in the bedroom feels used up after 3-4 hours. It’s the same situation in the children's rooms.
Even when we come to the ground floor in the morning (where nobody has been all night), the air quality is anything but good. So, as we did before, we immediately open the windows in the morning.
Of course, I assume that we might be making some mistakes ourselves, but I would like to find out if there might also be (major?) planning errors in our system? Is it even possible to determine that remotely? What information would you need from us?
I have attached a layout showing how the supply and exhaust valves are installed on the upper and ground floors. The system is installed in the attic. I change the filters regularly every month (because it’s a new development), and the chimneys on the roof are the required >2.5 m (over 8 feet) apart from each other.
Mycraft schrieb:
Whoever installed this system should really be ashamed. I would definitely change quite a few things, as already suggested here. For example, relocating the valves, and so on. Do you see any other potential sources of error that might not have been mentioned yet? The position of the valves will probably have to be changed, I understand that. Not ideal, but well, what else can you do...
Despite the need for optimization, the air on the ground floor in the morning shouldn’t be "used up," right?
I would also recommend measuring the CO2 levels. Could something else, like floor coverings, be affecting it?
And could you please share a photo of the chimneys that are required to be >2.5m (8 feet 2 inches)? Just to make sure there aren’t any short circuits between the supply and exhaust air.
I would also recommend measuring the CO2 levels. Could something else, like floor coverings, be affecting it?
And could you please share a photo of the chimneys that are required to be >2.5m (8 feet 2 inches)? Just to make sure there aren’t any short circuits between the supply and exhaust air.
jeti79 schrieb:
The position of the valves will probably need to be changed Not just that. The system will need to be recalculated (Wolf offers a free tool on their website) because the pipe lengths will change. As a result, the system must be rebalanced afterward and, if necessary, the valve sizes adjusted. It might also be a good idea to consider a more advanced control system and possibly install VOC sensors in the bedroom and/or living area.
dab_dab schrieb:
Despite the need for optimization, the air on the ground floor in the morning shouldn’t be “used up,” right? Yes, I would assume that as well – which is why I’m asking if there might be other areas to consider. Also, the fact that dust comes from the inlets after only two years seems a bit unusual to me. I change the filters in the unit almost every month.
dab_dab schrieb:
I would also measure CO2. Could there possibly be something else, like the floor coverings? I’ve ordered a CO2 meter (Netatmo due to connection with iobroker/KNX). Of course, I can’t rule out emissions coming from the floors. The entire ground floor is tiled. The upper floor is fully laminated except for the bathroom, which is also tiled.
dab_dab schrieb:
Can you also share a photo showing that the chimneys are at the required height of more than 2.5 m (8 feet)? Just to make sure there are no short-circuit issues. I’m attaching it here. However, I’m considering relocating them to the north side of the building – partly to create space for photovoltaic panels and also to keep them out of direct sunlight. I expect this might also help provide cooler air in the summer.
Currently, the intake is next to the chimney – no fireplace or stove is installed. So there should be no disturbances.
The outlet is next to the chimney of the gas condensing boiler.
Mycraft schrieb:
Not only that. The system would need to be recalculated (Wolf offers a free tool on their website) because the pipe lengths will change. This means the system must be re-measured afterward and, if necessary, the sizes of the valves adjusted. It might also be worth considering a more intelligent control system and installing VOC sensors in the bedroom and/or living room.I am actually doing that by currently setting up VOC/CO2 measurement systems, which I plan to use to control the ventilation system—and later the air conditioning—via KNX.I will take a look at the tool. Hopefully, a Wolf service technician will visit next week to have a look.