We are planning our 40+ single-family house with a ground source heat pump and a ventilation system with heat recovery.
Some time ago, we visited a show home from a company that starts with "Finger" and ends with "Haus" (I'm not sure if the name can be mentioned). This show home also had a ground source heat pump with a ventilation system equipped. The air ducts for it were located on the floor, both on the ground floor and the upper floor. We already noticed the relatively loud noise from the ventilation downstairs, but when we were upstairs in a closed meeting room, it was really disturbingly loud.
I can’t quite describe it properly; it sounded like metal blowing air. Really hard to explain, but it was definitely noticeable and unpleasant.
On another occasion, we visited a show home by a company with "Streif Haus" in the name, but no extra suffix at the end. Here, however, there was a ground source heat pump with integrated ventilation. We absolutely couldn’t hear anything, not even with the door closed and my head (almost) right at the air outlet on the wall.
Actually, we have never heard the air in any of the houses; it was only noticeable in the first house mentioned.
Since we are considering the same system principle, albeit with different brands, I’m now a bit worried that it might be the same with us, and then this system would be turned off 100%, permanently! That’s simply not an option, not only when sleeping but in general.
Are there general things to consider in advance to reduce the "noise"?
Is the brand decisive?
Are the ducts included with the brand of the ventilation system, or do they generally come from somewhere else, so that one can be lucky or unlucky depending on what the builder installs?
I would appreciate your answers…
Best regards Dany250
Some time ago, we visited a show home from a company that starts with "Finger" and ends with "Haus" (I'm not sure if the name can be mentioned). This show home also had a ground source heat pump with a ventilation system equipped. The air ducts for it were located on the floor, both on the ground floor and the upper floor. We already noticed the relatively loud noise from the ventilation downstairs, but when we were upstairs in a closed meeting room, it was really disturbingly loud.
I can’t quite describe it properly; it sounded like metal blowing air. Really hard to explain, but it was definitely noticeable and unpleasant.
On another occasion, we visited a show home by a company with "Streif Haus" in the name, but no extra suffix at the end. Here, however, there was a ground source heat pump with integrated ventilation. We absolutely couldn’t hear anything, not even with the door closed and my head (almost) right at the air outlet on the wall.
Actually, we have never heard the air in any of the houses; it was only noticeable in the first house mentioned.
Since we are considering the same system principle, albeit with different brands, I’m now a bit worried that it might be the same with us, and then this system would be turned off 100%, permanently! That’s simply not an option, not only when sleeping but in general.
Are there general things to consider in advance to reduce the "noise"?
Is the brand decisive?
Are the ducts included with the brand of the ventilation system, or do they generally come from somewhere else, so that one can be lucky or unlucky depending on what the builder installs?
I would appreciate your answers…
Best regards Dany250
ypg schrieb:
This is the required scope of construction workAlright, I will address it as mentioned before. I don’t think a closer spacing should be an issue, but if it’s specified, then it’s specified...@hampshire
I’m curious myself how this will proceed. My preferred home builder is not from the area where I want to build...
hampshire schrieb:
My concern is that these units will get louder with age, just like any refrigerator.That's possible. Such a bearing isn’t meant to last forever. But unlike a refrigerator, where the compressor is usually the culprit, the repair should be relatively straightforward.
I've already opened our Zehnder for a "major inspection" (which is basically just a visual check and cleaning that anyone can do). You can see the fans and the connection. It shouldn’t be too complicated to replace it.
Dany250 schrieb:
My preferred home builder is not from the That would be a reason for me not to build with them. Because that usually means subcontractors who basically only come on-site for installation, which can cause a domino effect of delays if there are scheduling problems. Or local subcontractors who are probably no longer used, and in the worst case, are selected solely based on the lowest price.
Do you also have local companies on your list? And is working with an architect and self-managing the project an option for you? If not, what is the reason?
Overall, we had contact with 19 home builders (meaning personal meetings), including prefabricated house manufacturers as well as some solid construction builders. Managing the project ourselves was never an option for us, as we are not very experienced with architects and didn’t want to be heavily involved in the construction process due to time constraints.
We were aware of the regional aspect from the very beginning, but we assumed this was a common situation since most prefabricated house manufacturers are not local. Of course, there are some manufacturers based in the region (around Stuttgart), but unfortunately, all of them were already out of consideration for various reasons. Even if the builder isn’t local, they obviously have built here before and presumably know some subcontractors (at least we hope so for now), but this will be clarified and is already on the list of questions.
We have looked into the matter very thoroughly, not just going by gut feeling, and steadily narrowed down our options. Our favorite builder has stood out significantly from the competition in every aspect right from day one; however, as objectively as possible, we’re trying to keep an open mind. We have a good feeling, and all other options would basically be compromises. That said, we are not rigidly fixed on working only with this builder at any cost—if anything seems off, we are not willing to take risks. On Friday, we have another meeting planned with a further set of questions, after which we will also have the contract and the scope of services reviewed by the “prefab house expert.”
Nevertheless, I am curious to hear the answer regarding the subcontractors...
We were aware of the regional aspect from the very beginning, but we assumed this was a common situation since most prefabricated house manufacturers are not local. Of course, there are some manufacturers based in the region (around Stuttgart), but unfortunately, all of them were already out of consideration for various reasons. Even if the builder isn’t local, they obviously have built here before and presumably know some subcontractors (at least we hope so for now), but this will be clarified and is already on the list of questions.
We have looked into the matter very thoroughly, not just going by gut feeling, and steadily narrowed down our options. Our favorite builder has stood out significantly from the competition in every aspect right from day one; however, as objectively as possible, we’re trying to keep an open mind. We have a good feeling, and all other options would basically be compromises. That said, we are not rigidly fixed on working only with this builder at any cost—if anything seems off, we are not willing to take risks. On Friday, we have another meeting planned with a further set of questions, after which we will also have the contract and the scope of services reviewed by the “prefab house expert.”
Nevertheless, I am curious to hear the answer regarding the subcontractors...
Dany250 schrieb:
What is a scope of work description?In this case, the "particularly mild ground temperature"... 😉Tolentino schrieb:
Probably no longer regional issues. Should not mean unknown.
Dany250 schrieb:
The important thing is not that you are familiar with the architect (what does that actually mean), but that the architect is experienced with all phases of a construction project. Then they can help much more with the second part of your idea than a general contractor who mainly focuses on their own interests. Similar topics