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glimmer081518 Jul 2023 10:40Hello,
Some time ago, we moved into a KFW40 energy-efficient house. The landlord did a lot of the work himself and was not finished with everything at the time we moved in. About four weeks ago, the ventilation system was installed and activated. Since that day, we have experienced significant noise disturbance.
The system operates in two stages, increasing speed depending on the humidity level. At the first stage, the noise is mainly loud in the bathrooms and kitchen. For example: having dinner with conversation in the kitchen is very tiring. When I stand in the hallway on the lower floor, I can hear the ventilation from the bathroom upstairs.
When the system switches to the higher stage, the noise is clearly audible in all rooms. At that point, sleeping is not possible. I measured nearly 50 dB in the center of the kitchen using my phone.
Our landlord claims this noise is completely normal and that we find it disturbing because the triple-glazed windows insulate the house so well.
It seems the noise mainly comes from the fittings inserted into the holes in the wall. When I remove them and look into the open holes, almost no noise can be heard even at the highest stage. The fittings are made of stainless steel and honestly appear to be high quality, not cheap.
My question is whether we (and our neighbors below) are simply too sensitive, or whether he has somehow done a poor job here. From my understanding, it can’t be right to build a house that is pleasantly quiet and then ruin that with such a system. Unfortunately, I don’t know anyone with a house that has this kind of system, so I cannot compare.
Thank you very much for your expert opinion!
Best regards
Some time ago, we moved into a KFW40 energy-efficient house. The landlord did a lot of the work himself and was not finished with everything at the time we moved in. About four weeks ago, the ventilation system was installed and activated. Since that day, we have experienced significant noise disturbance.
The system operates in two stages, increasing speed depending on the humidity level. At the first stage, the noise is mainly loud in the bathrooms and kitchen. For example: having dinner with conversation in the kitchen is very tiring. When I stand in the hallway on the lower floor, I can hear the ventilation from the bathroom upstairs.
When the system switches to the higher stage, the noise is clearly audible in all rooms. At that point, sleeping is not possible. I measured nearly 50 dB in the center of the kitchen using my phone.
Our landlord claims this noise is completely normal and that we find it disturbing because the triple-glazed windows insulate the house so well.
It seems the noise mainly comes from the fittings inserted into the holes in the wall. When I remove them and look into the open holes, almost no noise can be heard even at the highest stage. The fittings are made of stainless steel and honestly appear to be high quality, not cheap.
My question is whether we (and our neighbors below) are simply too sensitive, or whether he has somehow done a poor job here. From my understanding, it can’t be right to build a house that is pleasantly quiet and then ruin that with such a system. Unfortunately, I don’t know anyone with a house that has this kind of system, so I cannot compare.
Thank you very much for your expert opinion!
Best regards
W
WilderSueden18 Jul 2023 10:50Decentralized ventilation? Which manufacturer and model do you recommend? What control options do you have, and can you completely turn it off at night?
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KarstenausNRW18 Jul 2023 10:54So you live in a two-story apartment in a new multi-family building. Is the ventilation system centralized or decentralized? Where exactly are the fans installed? If decentralized: How do your fans operate – does one blow fresh air in while the other extracts air out, or does each fan alternate between intake and exhaust? Can you control the fans manually (switch, remote control, app)?
In your multi-family building, I would at least expect a decentralized ventilation system.
In general: Yes, you will always hear the fans, but at the lowest ventilation setting (basic ventilation) they are inaudible during the day and only noticeable in a very quiet apartment. At least this is how it should be. Only a decentralized system will be almost silent.
No ventilation system should be “loud” unless it is running at high power.
I also have a decentralized system.
- I can manually control if a “power mode” kicks in when humidity rises
- basic ventilation is inaudible during the day
- I can switch it off at night if needed
- It has a brightness sensor, so the ventilation switches to minimum power when it gets dark, if desired
As you see, there is a lot possible. So my question to you as well: What model was installed and how is it set up?
In your multi-family building, I would at least expect a decentralized ventilation system.
In general: Yes, you will always hear the fans, but at the lowest ventilation setting (basic ventilation) they are inaudible during the day and only noticeable in a very quiet apartment. At least this is how it should be. Only a decentralized system will be almost silent.
No ventilation system should be “loud” unless it is running at high power.
I also have a decentralized system.
- I can manually control if a “power mode” kicks in when humidity rises
- basic ventilation is inaudible during the day
- I can switch it off at night if needed
- It has a brightness sensor, so the ventilation switches to minimum power when it gets dark, if desired
As you see, there is a lot possible. So my question to you as well: What model was installed and how is it set up?
G
glimmer081518 Jul 2023 11:29Hi,
thanks for your input!
It’s a Maico 320 BET. According to the website, it’s a central ventilation unit. Apart from turning it on and off, we can’t do anything. He said it’s best not to adjust anything.
Also, since the system has been running, we’re not supposed to open the windows anymore because he said that moist air from outside would come in, causing the system to ramp up even more.
The system supplies air to the living areas, except for the bathroom and kitchen. In the bathrooms and kitchen, it extracts air.
It’s a two-family house. We live on the first floor with an attic, about 130 m² (1400 sq ft) and a ceiling height of approximately 2.4 m (8 feet).
Everything our landlord says sounds a bit strange to me.
thanks for your input!
It’s a Maico 320 BET. According to the website, it’s a central ventilation unit. Apart from turning it on and off, we can’t do anything. He said it’s best not to adjust anything.
Also, since the system has been running, we’re not supposed to open the windows anymore because he said that moist air from outside would come in, causing the system to ramp up even more.
The system supplies air to the living areas, except for the bathroom and kitchen. In the bathrooms and kitchen, it extracts air.
It’s a two-family house. We live on the first floor with an attic, about 130 m² (1400 sq ft) and a ceiling height of approximately 2.4 m (8 feet).
Everything our landlord says sounds a bit strange to me.
G
glimmer081518 Jul 2023 11:35The system mentioned here is responsible only for our apartment. The neighbor in the lower apartment has the same system for their unit.
glimmer0815 schrieb:
It seems that the noise mainly comes from the inserts placed in the holes in the wall. When I remove them and look into the open hole, you can hardly hear anything even at the highest setting. The inserts are made of stainless steel and honestly don’t seem cheap but rather high quality. I have no experience with this, but what kind of inserts are those? Are they just some kind of grille or is there more to them?
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