ᐅ Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Ventilation Systems
Created on: 12 Jun 2025 09:10
O
Olypen01
Hello everyone,
we are considering building a house and are currently having initial discussions with various providers. So far, we have spoken with three companies, and each offer includes a different ventilation concept:
Danwood: Central ventilation system with heat recovery
Heinz von Heiden: Central exhaust system with passive air supply without heat recovery (air is actively extracted outdoors via fans in the bathroom, kitchen, and utility room; in other rooms, air is passively drawn in through corresponding openings)
Scanhaus Marlow: Standard equipment only includes window frame ventilation. For an additional cost, a decentralized ventilation system with heat recovery is available.
At the moment, we are quite unsure about the advantages and disadvantages of the different systems and do not really know which direction to take. Therefore, we would appreciate expert feedback.
Specifically, the following questions arise for us:
What is the noise level like with the different systems? Especially with the decentralized system, I wonder how noticeable the fans are, since they are installed in every wall. I imagine it could be quite unpleasant, especially in the bedroom, if there is a constant humming or buzzing sound.
How significant is the impact of heat recovery? The system from Heinz von Heiden lacks this entirely. Does heat recovery noticeably affect heating costs, or can it be considered negligible in a new build?
Are there potential hygiene issues with central systems after several years? These systems have relatively long ducts throughout the house that cannot be easily cleaned if any dirt or mold develops.
Is it possible to install filters for pollen or even activated carbon filters in decentralized systems? Or is this feature exclusive to central systems?
How would you assess the fact that Scanhaus Marlow only installs window frame ventilators as standard? According to their advisor, ventilating twice a day should be sufficient to prevent mold issues. However, I am rather skeptical after reading up on the topic and tend to favor building with a ventilation system.
we are considering building a house and are currently having initial discussions with various providers. So far, we have spoken with three companies, and each offer includes a different ventilation concept:
Danwood: Central ventilation system with heat recovery
Heinz von Heiden: Central exhaust system with passive air supply without heat recovery (air is actively extracted outdoors via fans in the bathroom, kitchen, and utility room; in other rooms, air is passively drawn in through corresponding openings)
Scanhaus Marlow: Standard equipment only includes window frame ventilation. For an additional cost, a decentralized ventilation system with heat recovery is available.
At the moment, we are quite unsure about the advantages and disadvantages of the different systems and do not really know which direction to take. Therefore, we would appreciate expert feedback.
Specifically, the following questions arise for us:
What is the noise level like with the different systems? Especially with the decentralized system, I wonder how noticeable the fans are, since they are installed in every wall. I imagine it could be quite unpleasant, especially in the bedroom, if there is a constant humming or buzzing sound.
How significant is the impact of heat recovery? The system from Heinz von Heiden lacks this entirely. Does heat recovery noticeably affect heating costs, or can it be considered negligible in a new build?
Are there potential hygiene issues with central systems after several years? These systems have relatively long ducts throughout the house that cannot be easily cleaned if any dirt or mold develops.
Is it possible to install filters for pollen or even activated carbon filters in decentralized systems? Or is this feature exclusive to central systems?
How would you assess the fact that Scanhaus Marlow only installs window frame ventilators as standard? According to their advisor, ventilating twice a day should be sufficient to prevent mold issues. However, I am rather skeptical after reading up on the topic and tend to favor building with a ventilation system.
M
motorradsilke12 Jun 2025 11:35nordanney schrieb:
A small note: Not decentralized at all (regarding costs and space). There are systems, for example, designed for window reveals, even with cross-flow heat exchangers (so a 1:1 comparison to central systems), which means the noise levels are close to zero.Yes, not the decentralized ones. But those were basically ruled out for new builds anyway. I would never choose them if I wanted a controlled ventilation system with heat recovery.N
nordanney12 Jun 2025 11:56motorradsilke schrieb:
Yes, not the decentralized ones. But those were basically excluded for new builds. I would never choose them if I wanted a controlled ventilation system.I agree with you. However, I want to mention that there are comparable devices using the same technology that are also decentralized and discreet. I had a central system in the new build and now a decentralized one during the renovation.
W
wiltshire12 Jun 2025 12:21Olypen01 schrieb:
What is the noise level like with the different systems? Especially with decentralized units, I wonder how noticeable the fans are, since they are installed in every wall. I imagine it could be quite disturbing in a bedroom if there is a constant humming or whirring sound. The noise level depends not only on the device but also on the installation. Generally, I can hear the fans. However, if you have sensitive hearing, you just have to accept it, since there are plenty of other sounds that could be bothersome. Dealing with noise is also a matter of attitude.
Olypen01 schrieb:
How noticeable is heat recovery in terms of energy savings? The differences in energy consumption are clearly noticeable. I would not choose a system without a heat exchanger.
Olypen01 schrieb:
Are there any hygiene problems with central systems after several years? If you follow the replacement, cleaning, and maintenance recommendations, you won’t have any issues.
Olypen01 schrieb:
Do decentralized units also offer options for pollen filters or even activated carbon filters? Yes, such models are available.
Olypen01 schrieb:
How would you assess the fact that Scanhaus Marlow only installs trickle vents as standard? I think that’s a brilliantly simple solution. One forum member often responds to such remarks with a laughing emoji. In theory, a central ventilation system is vastly superior. However, it doesn't fit every lifestyle. So opinions on this vary widely.
11ant schrieb:
Danhaus,
Uh, the original poster is talking about Danwood, which is a bit different...
Regarding the activated carbon filter: yes, they exist, but mentioning them would count as advertising, which is not allowed...
11ant schrieb:
Danhaus, Heinz von Heiden, and Scanhaus Marlow are quite a diverse mix, Rübe1 schrieb:
Uh, the original poster is talking about Danwood, which is a small but important difference... Oops, ouch. What an embarrassing mistake from reading too quickly. The "small" before difference even deserves quotation marks. Accordingly, I must also qualify my earlier compliment...
11ant schrieb:
That you are open to considering Holzer and Steiner on equal terms is very good. ... to the extent that the original poster is actually a more novice beginner in need of support than I initially feared.
11ant schrieb:
Danhaus is quite a recommendable Holzer builder, who has already proven competitive with Steiner Viebrockhaus in my experience. On the other hand, Scanhaus Marlow is a budget provider with a level of finish close to a shell house. [...] I would not compare Danhaus with Scanhaus Marlow; Hanse Haus would come to mind sooner. Unfortunately, Danwood is also an uneven comparison to Scanhaus Marlow, but in the opposite direction. While Scanhaus Marlow is at best a borderline economy provider, Danwood, in my opinion, dangerously encourages the romanticized idea of oversized garden sheds being treated as fully functional homes, if you really look closely. Even compared to Scanhaus, Danwood is, in my opinion, “not acceptable” and makes me fear the original poster’s serious overreliance on brochures and marketing. This is really a worst-case mess of misinformation, rarely seen with beginners.
Therefore, I recommend the original poster start a new thread with the completed questionnaire https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/grundriss-planung-unbedingt-vor-beitrag-erstellung-lesen.11714/ and I hope with all best wishes that...
Olypen01 schrieb:
we are considering building and are currently having initial discussions with relevant providers. So far, we have spoken with three companies. ... it is not meant in the ultimate premium disaster worst-case sense of having started talking to builders before securing a specific plot of land.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
wiltshire schrieb:
If you follow the replacement, cleaning, and maintenance recommendations, you will have no problems.Even more important is to never, really never, turn off the system. So, even during extended vacations, keep it running at the lowest setting. This helps dry any condensate that may form, and without that, mold is almost certainly prevented.Similar topics