ᐅ Quiet decentralized ventilation system for new single-family home construction
Created on: 1 Mar 2015 12:48
L
Legurit
Hello everyone,
During our first consultation with a building professional for a quote, we were asked to choose a ventilation system ourselves, as we are still somewhat skeptical about the "SEVi 160" model proposed by them. Our planner recommended a Halmburger ventilation system – we definitely want to see and listen to it in person. He also mentioned BluMartin, which personally seems a bit bulky to me – and once additional rooms are connected, it starts to feel more like a “central” system again. I also find the cassette filters quite expensive at 50 € (about $55) per unit per year.
We found the videos on the Bayernlüfter website quite appealing, but we are somewhat skeptical about the maximum airflow of 20 m³ (about 710 cubic feet) per hour. We also couldn’t find any information about noise levels at different ventilation rates (which is also missing for the SEVi – but the building professional mentioned that it can be heard).
We are looking for a ventilation system that can achieve an air exchange rate of 40 m³ (about 1,400 cubic feet) per hour (approximately 1 air change per hour for our bedroom) without being audible. Does such a system exist, or does anyone have experience with the mentioned brands? Is an air exchange rate of 1 per hour even necessary for a bedroom with two occupants?
Thank you and best regards.
P.S.: I have the impression that the decentralized ventilation industry is very fragmented with many small players.
During our first consultation with a building professional for a quote, we were asked to choose a ventilation system ourselves, as we are still somewhat skeptical about the "SEVi 160" model proposed by them. Our planner recommended a Halmburger ventilation system – we definitely want to see and listen to it in person. He also mentioned BluMartin, which personally seems a bit bulky to me – and once additional rooms are connected, it starts to feel more like a “central” system again. I also find the cassette filters quite expensive at 50 € (about $55) per unit per year.
We found the videos on the Bayernlüfter website quite appealing, but we are somewhat skeptical about the maximum airflow of 20 m³ (about 710 cubic feet) per hour. We also couldn’t find any information about noise levels at different ventilation rates (which is also missing for the SEVi – but the building professional mentioned that it can be heard).
We are looking for a ventilation system that can achieve an air exchange rate of 40 m³ (about 1,400 cubic feet) per hour (approximately 1 air change per hour for our bedroom) without being audible. Does such a system exist, or does anyone have experience with the mentioned brands? Is an air exchange rate of 1 per hour even necessary for a bedroom with two occupants?
Thank you and best regards.
P.S.: I have the impression that the decentralized ventilation industry is very fragmented with many small players.
J
JDoerbecker25 May 2015 19:49Good evening, we have installed a Ventomaxx system. The noise level at the lowest setting is very manageable; in fact, I can’t hear anything at all. We installed 8 units with heat recovery plus 3 exhaust fans in the wet rooms. Our living area is 180 m² (1,937 sq ft). Of course, there are some drawbacks to consider—for example, sounds from outside can be heard during very strong winds. Overall, however, we are satisfied.
There are basically no significant differences between the various manufacturers of decentralized ventilation systems. The principle is always the same. A pair of fans operates so that while one exhausts air, the other supplies fresh air, and after a set period, they switch directions. Alternatively, one fan exhausts while the other is off, and after a certain time, they swap roles.
Without heat recovery, this system doesn’t make much sense; otherwise, you might as well keep the window open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Therefore, every manufacturer installs a ceramic heat exchanger. There are minor differences here—some use a square cell structure, others a hexagonal one. Since the hexagonal shape offers a larger surface area and thus improves efficiency by about 3 to 5%, it is expected that this design will become standard among all manufacturers in the future.
Manufacturers differ only in price and brand recognition.
Ultimately, it’s a matter of personal preference.
As long as the installation follows the manufacturer’s guidelines correctly, you should be truly satisfied with the system.
Without heat recovery, this system doesn’t make much sense; otherwise, you might as well keep the window open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Therefore, every manufacturer installs a ceramic heat exchanger. There are minor differences here—some use a square cell structure, others a hexagonal one. Since the hexagonal shape offers a larger surface area and thus improves efficiency by about 3 to 5%, it is expected that this design will become standard among all manufacturers in the future.
Manufacturers differ only in price and brand recognition.
Ultimately, it’s a matter of personal preference.
As long as the installation follows the manufacturer’s guidelines correctly, you should be truly satisfied with the system.
L
Lebensprojekt26 May 2015 16:57M. O. schrieb:
There are basically hardly any significant differences between the various manufacturers of decentralized ventilation systems. The principle is always the same. One fan pushes air out while the other pushes air in, and after a certain time they reverse direction. Or one fan pushes air out while the other stands still, and after a certain time the fans switch roles—the one that was running stops, and the other starts. Without heat recovery, this doesn’t make much sense; otherwise, you might as well leave the window open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. So every manufacturer installs a ceramic heat exchanger. There are small differences here, such as square or hexagonal cell structures. Since the hexagonal shape offers a larger surface area and thus improves efficiency by about 3 to 5%, it is expected that this will become the standard among all manufacturers in the future.
Manufacturers mainly differ in price and brand recognition.
Ultimately, it’s a matter of personal preference.
The system must be installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Then you should be truly satisfied with it.Just to start, I am in favor of ventilation systems. But it does seem a bit pointless to insulate so thoroughly and then create holes in the walls again just to bring fresh air inside! We belong to the family that, unlike what is recommended in modern new builds, cannot ventilate every two hours. We are simply at work during the day. So the ventilation system is probably the only option.
Regards
Yes, I completely agree with you. It makes no sense to insulate a wall only to knock holes into it later in order to install fans for the necessary moisture control.
I have a client who refuses to insulate her house, accepting higher heating costs, but due to natural infiltration she has no mold problems and maintains a good indoor climate.
That approach can work, but only as long as you are not building new today. The Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEf) and DIN standards require an airtight building envelope, and you must comply with these if you want to receive subsidies and grants.
A family building today who also works is unfortunately often unable to ventilate as much as required. In those cases, you have to rely on such forced ventilation measures.
I have a client who refuses to insulate her house, accepting higher heating costs, but due to natural infiltration she has no mold problems and maintains a good indoor climate.
That approach can work, but only as long as you are not building new today. The Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEf) and DIN standards require an airtight building envelope, and you must comply with these if you want to receive subsidies and grants.
A family building today who also works is unfortunately often unable to ventilate as much as required. In those cases, you have to rely on such forced ventilation measures.
L
Lebensprojekt27 May 2015 08:14One thing I’m still wondering about is how it will be during the summer?
We like to keep the house fairly cool in the summer months. However, heat recovery then becomes counterproductive.
What can be adjusted in the system for that?
Regards
We like to keep the house fairly cool in the summer months. However, heat recovery then becomes counterproductive.
What can be adjusted in the system for that?
Regards
D
DerBjoern27 May 2015 15:34M. O. schrieb:
Yes, I completely agree with you. It makes no sense to insulate only to later create holes in the wall where fans are installed to ensure necessary moisture control.
I have a client who refuses to insulate her house, accepts higher heating costs, but has no mold problems and enjoys good indoor air quality thanks to natural air infiltration. It is not the insulation that requires ventilation, but the airtightness layer. Insulation actually helps prevent mold.
Lebensprojekt schrieb:
One thing I’m still wondering about is how this works in summer?
We like to keep the house quite cool during the summer months. But heat recovery then seems counterproductive.
What settings can be adjusted on the system?
RegardsHeat recovery is based on a heat exchanger. It also works in reverse when the outdoor air is warmer than indoors, so the incoming air is cooled down. What is often missing, however, is a bypass mode that allows the cool night air to be brought in directly.
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