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.
rick2018 schrieb:
What happens if you set your system to maximum output?
Does it get significantly better then? Phew, hard to say – the air never really gets that good. So it’s not comparable to opening a double window for 10-15 minutes.
Not even after several hours of intensive ventilation (280 m³/h (165 cfm)).
Everything is subjective; it must be measured precisely.
Especially in new construction, the first year often sees the ventilation system providing very little "perceived" benefit. Everything smells and off-gasses. There is always an odor from furniture, adhesives, and other installed materials. Additionally, there is increased humidity.
A standard mechanical ventilation system is not designed to eliminate odors or balance temperature under new construction conditions. Once stabilized, it provides residents with oxygen-rich air. That is its function. Otherwise, it would have to be designed much more powerful.
I would compare it more to tilt window ventilation versus rapid airing (also called shock ventilation). Everyone knows the difference!
Only a PPM meter can provide clarity.
Especially in new construction, the first year often sees the ventilation system providing very little "perceived" benefit. Everything smells and off-gasses. There is always an odor from furniture, adhesives, and other installed materials. Additionally, there is increased humidity.
A standard mechanical ventilation system is not designed to eliminate odors or balance temperature under new construction conditions. Once stabilized, it provides residents with oxygen-rich air. That is its function. Otherwise, it would have to be designed much more powerful.
I would compare it more to tilt window ventilation versus rapid airing (also called shock ventilation). Everyone knows the difference!
Only a PPM meter can provide clarity.
Bookstar schrieb:
Everything is subjective; it absolutely must be measured.
Especially in new buildings, the first year the ventilation system seems to have very little effect. Everything smells and emits fumes. There is always an odor from furniture, adhesives, and other installed materials. Plus, higher humidity.
Only a PPM meter can provide clarity.That was also the installer’s point, which he used as a "killer argument" to get rid of me for the time being. The PPM meter has been ordered and should arrive tomorrow. I will then log the readings in different rooms over an extended period.
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