Hello
Who else here is building a house like us soon, with very good or high values regarding window insulation and also facade insulation (so a very airtight building envelope)?
We have read that houses that are too well insulated often have insufficient air exchange because natural air circulation hardly takes place anymore. In Minergie-certified buildings, this issue is supposed to be solved with a controlled ventilation system. However, such a system is not planned as standard for us, and we actually wanted to avoid it for cost reasons and other considerations.
Since both of us work full time, the windows will likely remain completely closed for extended periods during the day. My question now is: do we have to risk having permanently poor indoor air quality and an unpleasant room climate in our home, or even moisture problems (wet windows in winter)?
Does anyone have direct experience with this or is an expert in the field?
Who else here is building a house like us soon, with very good or high values regarding window insulation and also facade insulation (so a very airtight building envelope)?
We have read that houses that are too well insulated often have insufficient air exchange because natural air circulation hardly takes place anymore. In Minergie-certified buildings, this issue is supposed to be solved with a controlled ventilation system. However, such a system is not planned as standard for us, and we actually wanted to avoid it for cost reasons and other considerations.
Since both of us work full time, the windows will likely remain completely closed for extended periods during the day. My question now is: do we have to risk having permanently poor indoor air quality and an unpleasant room climate in our home, or even moisture problems (wet windows in winter)?
Does anyone have direct experience with this or is an expert in the field?
hi pat
In your report, I cannot tell whether you are building with solid materials like concrete or brick, or using wood construction.
I have a wooden house. For me, it’s not really a problem because the air naturally circulates through the walls. In other words, wood helps break down harmful substances and renews the used air. Living there doesn’t feel like being inside a plastic bag 🙂 Moisture actually escapes somewhat through the walls, so it generally doesn’t get excessively damp.
I have been living in my house for over 5 years now, and I am still completely satisfied with the indoor climate!
best regards
In your report, I cannot tell whether you are building with solid materials like concrete or brick, or using wood construction.
I have a wooden house. For me, it’s not really a problem because the air naturally circulates through the walls. In other words, wood helps break down harmful substances and renews the used air. Living there doesn’t feel like being inside a plastic bag 🙂 Moisture actually escapes somewhat through the walls, so it generally doesn’t get excessively damp.
I have been living in my house for over 5 years now, and I am still completely satisfied with the indoor climate!
best regards
H
holly-wood3 Jan 2008 16:04Hello everyone
The ventilation losses of any house are typically around one third or more. What does this tell us? It means that a corresponding amount of energy must enter the house! Everyone can then calculate how much energy is actually being lost through the windows.
It is indeed true that especially in airtight and very airtight houses, sufficient air exchange is necessary. Otherwise, moisture can accumulate and potentially lead to mold formation, for example on walls! This also makes the indoor climate quite unpleasant...
We have a controlled mechanical ventilation system in our home and would definitely not want to miss it anymore! Even though we have a wooden house where the entire “structure” is vapor-permeable. Wood can absorb a lot of moisture. And as already mentioned, wood has a purifying effect. Toxins in the air are broken down by the wood (not stored). Wood lives...!
@Patrik
According to your information, the insulation of your house is in the Minergie range. With only 16 cm (6 inches), however, it is quite minimal. Still, I wonder why you didn’t go for Minergie from the start? That step would have been a small one. In 4 to 5 years, it will be mandatory anyway. Nobody will be able to avoid Minergie then! Also, a Minergie house has a higher resale value – well, who wants to sell their newly built home anyway 🙂 – but it has happened...
Best regards
The ventilation losses of any house are typically around one third or more. What does this tell us? It means that a corresponding amount of energy must enter the house! Everyone can then calculate how much energy is actually being lost through the windows.
It is indeed true that especially in airtight and very airtight houses, sufficient air exchange is necessary. Otherwise, moisture can accumulate and potentially lead to mold formation, for example on walls! This also makes the indoor climate quite unpleasant...
We have a controlled mechanical ventilation system in our home and would definitely not want to miss it anymore! Even though we have a wooden house where the entire “structure” is vapor-permeable. Wood can absorb a lot of moisture. And as already mentioned, wood has a purifying effect. Toxins in the air are broken down by the wood (not stored). Wood lives...!
@Patrik
According to your information, the insulation of your house is in the Minergie range. With only 16 cm (6 inches), however, it is quite minimal. Still, I wonder why you didn’t go for Minergie from the start? That step would have been a small one. In 4 to 5 years, it will be mandatory anyway. Nobody will be able to avoid Minergie then! Also, a Minergie house has a higher resale value – well, who wants to sell their newly built home anyway 🙂 – but it has happened...
Best regards
Thanks for your assessment.
Your prediction that Minergie houses will be mandatory in about 4–5 years is quite a claim... but of course, you’re right that energy-efficient homes will probably have a market advantage soon. However, I believe one shouldn’t be too reliant on labels. I am fairly familiar with the Minergie criteria and find that they only partially reflect the energy performance or ecological footprint, since a Minergie-certified house can still have an oil heating system or many inefficient electrical appliances, and no one seems to care about that. In other words: I consider our house to be both energy-efficient and environmentally built. But, without the ventilation system, you simply can’t get the label. Furthermore, there is the question of whether the ventilation ducts can or must actually be integrated into the concrete ceiling. That would be the only option; otherwise, we would have to sacrifice about 8 cm (3 inches) of ceiling height, which we absolutely want to avoid (with a ceiling height of 2.40 m (7 ft 10 in)).
Best regards and thanks
Your prediction that Minergie houses will be mandatory in about 4–5 years is quite a claim... but of course, you’re right that energy-efficient homes will probably have a market advantage soon. However, I believe one shouldn’t be too reliant on labels. I am fairly familiar with the Minergie criteria and find that they only partially reflect the energy performance or ecological footprint, since a Minergie-certified house can still have an oil heating system or many inefficient electrical appliances, and no one seems to care about that. In other words: I consider our house to be both energy-efficient and environmentally built. But, without the ventilation system, you simply can’t get the label. Furthermore, there is the question of whether the ventilation ducts can or must actually be integrated into the concrete ceiling. That would be the only option; otherwise, we would have to sacrifice about 8 cm (3 inches) of ceiling height, which we absolutely want to avoid (with a ceiling height of 2.40 m (7 ft 10 in)).
Best regards and thanks
First of all,
We also don’t have any ventilation system because we simply don’t want one! But the idea that with a comfort or mechanical ventilation system you shouldn’t/can’t/mustn’t open the windows is a misconception, because it’s just not necessary!
We are also building a wooden house for ourselves, which is therefore vapor-permeable. So I think ventilating by opening the windows twice a day is enough, which is what we are already doing now… (rental apartment)
We also don’t have any ventilation system because we simply don’t want one! But the idea that with a comfort or mechanical ventilation system you shouldn’t/can’t/mustn’t open the windows is a misconception, because it’s just not necessary!
We are also building a wooden house for ourselves, which is therefore vapor-permeable. So I think ventilating by opening the windows twice a day is enough, which is what we are already doing now… (rental apartment)
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