ᐅ Centralized vs. decentralized ventilation systems

Created on: 3 Aug 2023 19:55
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Swiffers14
Hello everyone,

We are currently planning the construction of our single-family home and are considering whether to install a decentralized or centralized ventilation system. According to a preliminary quote from a general contractor, there is a cost difference of about 8,500 euros (cost for decentralized) versus about 13,000 euros (cost for centralized), which I had expected to be higher. We are currently living in an apartment with a decentralized ventilation system and are dissatisfied with it. Mainly, we are bothered by the noise of the fans themselves and the external noises that come through because of that.

Therefore, I wanted to ask you which option you chose. Are you satisfied with it? Would you choose the same again?
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nordanney
22 May 2024 17:59
Where do you live that the infrastructure is so poor? Here in the countryside of the Lower Rhine region, even the smallest villages have plenty of skilled tradespeople. Otherwise, try using online platforms.
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Obereiche
22 May 2024 18:18
Well, in the Lower Rhine region...
life pulses for us from the Rothaar Mountains.

Yes, I had also considered the gateways. But you also need someone to maintain or repair the system if there is a malfunction, and local companies here often refuse by saying, “It’s not from us, so we won’t do anything.”
I will probably have to go with the cheapest option and try to negotiate whether I can source some of the materials myself. However, very few agree to that because they work with overall cost calculations.
Tolentino22 May 2024 19:38
The major manufacturers all offer maintenance services themselves.
My heat recovery ventilation service provider even prefers that I go directly to the manufacturer and makes his own maintenance more expensive to provide the right incentive.
Have the ventilation system planned by an independent engineer (IB Heckmann) and do the installation yourself.
It's not rocket science.
I wouldn’t trust myself to handle the heat pump yet, but probably the ventilation system.
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sysrun80
22 May 2024 22:07
Well, "maintenance." Changing the filter and, if necessary, removing the heat exchanger to flush it and reinstall it. Anyone who doesn’t accidentally poke their eye out with a screwdriver can usually manage that. There isn’t much more "maintenance" involved.
OWLer22 May 2024 22:07
Obereiche schrieb:

But you also need someone to maintain the system or repair it if there is a malfunction, and that’s where the

I see this as the least critical issue. Maintenance is something you can manage quite well yourself. After the warranty period, I wouldn’t expect much in terms of repairs. However, for reasonably skilled DIYers or tradespeople, you should be able to handle almost everything yourself. Fans usually have ebm-type motors, which are readily available. Sensors and switches might be a bit trickier.