ᐅ Installation of Controlled Residential Ventilation – In the Ceiling or Externally?
Created on: 14 Jul 2014 23:39
K
KazaziHello dear forum community,
We are about to make a decision regarding a ventilation system. Among other options, we have two offers for a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery to choose from, which differ in how the ductwork is installed. Naturally, both providers claim that their system is the best.
To help us form our own opinion, we would appreciate hearing about your personal experiences or any objective information explaining why one solution might be preferable over the other:
Provider A wants to route the ventilation ducts inside the precast concrete ceiling between the ground floor and attic, stating this is simply the best solution in new builds; other methods would only be used when retrofitting a mechanical ventilation system in existing buildings. So far, the only specific advantage mentioned is the appearance, as this avoids visible duct boxing outside the ceiling. In this setup, the rooms on the ground floor receive air from above, while those in the attic get air from the floor level. A detailed price quote is still pending.
Provider B intends to run metal ducts from the utility room on the ground floor up to the converted attic (loft), ventilating the attic rooms from there. Visible duct boxing would occur in two narrow spots in the hallway and, if I understand correctly, also at one spot in the converted attic. He claims that this system works significantly better compared to plastic ducts with smaller diameters, which could also be installed in the ceiling. In addition, it avoids an unattractive tangle of distribution ducts in the utility room, and the installation is approximately $1000 cheaper.
Regarding appearance, we don’t consider either a tangle of ducts in the utility room or a few discreet duct boxing sections as problematic, so this factor is not decisive for us. Therefore, we would like to know what other advantages or disadvantages these options might have.
Does option B really perform better? Is there any objective proof of this? And is my husband right in thinking that option B would also be easier to service or handle in case of faults, because the ducts are more accessible? Or are there functional or other significant advantages to option A, apart from appearance, that we should be aware of?
I look forward to your experiences, opinions, and advice on this, thank you very much,
Kazazi
We are about to make a decision regarding a ventilation system. Among other options, we have two offers for a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery to choose from, which differ in how the ductwork is installed. Naturally, both providers claim that their system is the best.
To help us form our own opinion, we would appreciate hearing about your personal experiences or any objective information explaining why one solution might be preferable over the other:
Provider A wants to route the ventilation ducts inside the precast concrete ceiling between the ground floor and attic, stating this is simply the best solution in new builds; other methods would only be used when retrofitting a mechanical ventilation system in existing buildings. So far, the only specific advantage mentioned is the appearance, as this avoids visible duct boxing outside the ceiling. In this setup, the rooms on the ground floor receive air from above, while those in the attic get air from the floor level. A detailed price quote is still pending.
Provider B intends to run metal ducts from the utility room on the ground floor up to the converted attic (loft), ventilating the attic rooms from there. Visible duct boxing would occur in two narrow spots in the hallway and, if I understand correctly, also at one spot in the converted attic. He claims that this system works significantly better compared to plastic ducts with smaller diameters, which could also be installed in the ceiling. In addition, it avoids an unattractive tangle of distribution ducts in the utility room, and the installation is approximately $1000 cheaper.
Regarding appearance, we don’t consider either a tangle of ducts in the utility room or a few discreet duct boxing sections as problematic, so this factor is not decisive for us. Therefore, we would like to know what other advantages or disadvantages these options might have.
Does option B really perform better? Is there any objective proof of this? And is my husband right in thinking that option B would also be easier to service or handle in case of faults, because the ducts are more accessible? Or are there functional or other significant advantages to option A, apart from appearance, that we should be aware of?
I look forward to your experiences, opinions, and advice on this, thank you very much,
Kazazi
When installing pipes within a concrete ceiling, this must be accounted for in the structural calculations and then properly implemented during construction.
I would also avoid having any inlets or outlets in the floor, as something will inevitably fall or flow in over time, and you shouldn’t place anything on top of them either.
I would also avoid having any inlets or outlets in the floor, as something will inevitably fall or flow in over time, and you shouldn’t place anything on top of them either.
oleda222 schrieb:
I would also avoid having inlets and outlets in the floor, as something will definitely fall in eventually, and you shouldn’t place anything on top of them…We have the exhaust vents in the ceiling, and the fresh air intake is through the floor.
Since there is a cover over the intake, nothing can fall in, and if it does, the duct is angled so you can reach inside it.
In another house, I saw the fresh air intake installed in the wall. That didn’t look very attractive either. Our setup is much less noticeable.
About placing items on top: Upstairs, the fresh air intakes are right in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, where you usually wouldn’t put anything. In the living room, there is a dresser above one of the intakes, but it stands about 15cm (6 inches) high. This still allows enough fresh air into the house. The technician told us to make sure any furniture placed on top is at least 10cm (4 inches) tall.
Jaydee schrieb:
We have the exhaust vents in the ceiling, and the fresh air comes in through the floor.
Since there is a cover over it, nothing can fall inside, and if anything does, the duct is angled so that you can reach inside.
In another house, I saw the fresh air intake in the wall. That didn’t look very appealing either. Our intake is much less noticeable.
Regarding placing items on top of the vent, it’s a bit tricky. Upstairs, we have the fresh air intake right in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, where you normally wouldn’t put anything. In the living room, we do have a chest of drawers above one outlet, but it’s about 15cm (6 inches) high. This still allows enough fresh air to enter the house. The technician advised us to only place furniture on top that is at least 10cm (4 inches) high.Hello Julia,
do you have slots in the floor?
I have seen that once but didn’t know it was part of the controlled ventilation system.
This is the first time I’m hearing about it.
ypg schrieb:
Hello Julia,
do you have slots in the floor?
I have seen that before, but I didn’t know that it was the mechanical ventilation system.
This is the first time I’m hearing about it. No, no slots, but squares.
I’ll have to take some photos when I’m at home.
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