ᐅ bluMartin Ventilation System – Experiences? / Questions
Created on: 31 Jul 2015 07:19
H
Hausbau2016LE
Hello everyone,
for a semi-detached house of approximately 170 m² (1,830 sq ft), which we plan to build next year, I came across bluMartin while searching for suitable systems/manufacturers for a ventilation system.
- Could you share your experiences with bluMartin? What works well, where are there problems, would you install the system again, do you have any tips on what to watch out for, etc.? I appreciate any hints or information! Especially interested in multi-year experience with the system.
- Does connecting multiple rooms to one system work well?
- On the internet, it says you can "supply up to four rooms with a maximum area of 75 m² (810 sq ft), each with separate supply and exhaust vents." On the bluMartin website, it only mentions "multiple rooms"?
- Does the system actually help keep rooms cooler in summer?
- What did the system cost you including installation for your configuration (e.g., number of units/house size)?
- Who installs and connects the system? I didn’t quite understand from the website who does the actual installation (does bluMartin only supply the equipment and the ventilation fans are installed into the walls by the shell builder while the electrician or installer handles the wiring?)
Thank you very much for any information and experience reports.
Martin
------------------------
Hello,
I have removed the link; please observe the forum rules!
Regards, BuildingExpert
BuildingExpert
for a semi-detached house of approximately 170 m² (1,830 sq ft), which we plan to build next year, I came across bluMartin while searching for suitable systems/manufacturers for a ventilation system.
- Could you share your experiences with bluMartin? What works well, where are there problems, would you install the system again, do you have any tips on what to watch out for, etc.? I appreciate any hints or information! Especially interested in multi-year experience with the system.
- Does connecting multiple rooms to one system work well?
- On the internet, it says you can "supply up to four rooms with a maximum area of 75 m² (810 sq ft), each with separate supply and exhaust vents." On the bluMartin website, it only mentions "multiple rooms"?
- Does the system actually help keep rooms cooler in summer?
- What did the system cost you including installation for your configuration (e.g., number of units/house size)?
- Who installs and connects the system? I didn’t quite understand from the website who does the actual installation (does bluMartin only supply the equipment and the ventilation fans are installed into the walls by the shell builder while the electrician or installer handles the wiring?)
Thank you very much for any information and experience reports.
Martin
------------------------
Hello,
I have removed the link; please observe the forum rules!
Regards, BuildingExpert
BuildingExpert
B
Bauexperte28 Apr 2016 22:57Hello Sabine,
Although both are decentralized systems, they differ fundamentally from each other.
With the Lunos system, you have one or two wall openings per room (depending on the room size); the system can only be controlled by floor and unfortunately not by individual rooms.
Costs with heat recovery and for a house size of 180 m² (1,940 sq ft) are around EUR 10,000. Noise levels at the lowest setting are negligible.
With the bluMartin system, you have one outdoor unit per floor, with further distribution installed in the ceiling.
Costs for 180 m² (1,940 sq ft) are around EUR 12,000; heat recovery is standard. You cannot hear it. This system is (so far) the only one of its kind certified for Passive House standards.
HTH
Best regards, Bauexperte
Although both are decentralized systems, they differ fundamentally from each other.
With the Lunos system, you have one or two wall openings per room (depending on the room size); the system can only be controlled by floor and unfortunately not by individual rooms.
Costs with heat recovery and for a house size of 180 m² (1,940 sq ft) are around EUR 10,000. Noise levels at the lowest setting are negligible.
With the bluMartin system, you have one outdoor unit per floor, with further distribution installed in the ceiling.
Costs for 180 m² (1,940 sq ft) are around EUR 12,000; heat recovery is standard. You cannot hear it. This system is (so far) the only one of its kind certified for Passive House standards.
HTH
Best regards, Bauexperte
D
Dietmar B5 Oct 2019 16:59User Report bluMartin freeAir100
For all homeowners considering ventilation systems, here are our experiences with the bluMartin freeAir100 ventilation system.
House: Built in 2015, timber frame construction, 175 sqm (1880 sq ft), 2 floors, pellet heating system, solar thermal system, photovoltaic system, decentralized ventilation system bluMartin freeAir100 (3 main units each with an additional room connection), KFW 55 standard.
We chose the bluMartin freeAir100 because, in our view, it combines the advantages of both centralized and decentralized systems and due to its passive house certification.
Result:
A positive aspect is that the system is able to dehumidify the rooms. Especially in the laundry room, all moisture generated during drying is vented outside. According to the manufacturer’s analysis software, heat recovery is also high.
The air quality is insufficient. Without open windows, we find that the air in closed rooms feels stale after a few hours. Detailed measurements (device: CO2 monitor by Dostmann) showed that CO2 concentrations in the morning ranged from 1500 ppm up to over 2000 ppm in some cases. There are no legal limits for private homes, but recommended values (e.g. Pettenkofer value of 1000 ppm) are exceeded. As a result, we need to tilt windows in bedrooms and regularly open windows in other rooms to ventilate.
The units are audible even at the lowest setting. For sleeping, the noise from the rooms with a main unit is too loud for us. In the rooms with the additional unit, ventilation on the lowest setting is barely noticeable. The longer the filters are in use, the louder the noise becomes. I also switch off the system when reading.
The filters must be replaced at least once a year or when the maintenance alert appears. In our case, the error message “Filter Error” consistently appeared well before one year elapsed. The required replacement set is only available via Amazon and cost us a total of 96 euros (approx. $105) for all three units (as of 10/2019). The manufacturer has since stopped using aluminum frames for the filters, which improves the environmental impact.
After four years of use, all three units had to be sent to the manufacturer for repairs. Shipping boxes are provided to the customer. For two units, the “Filter Error” message did not disappear even after filter replacement. The third unit shut down on its own. (When trying to restart it, I received an electric shock at the main switch, which is made of metal! The main circuit board had to be replaced.) Repair costs, even with generous discounts, exceeded 500 euros (approx. $550).
Conclusion: If we had to decide again, we would either choose a centralized ventilation system or forego one altogether, even though we are aware of the challenges of ventilation in airtight construction. The cost of the system at 12,000 euros net (approx. $13,000) in 2015 could have been invested in other energy-saving or energy-generating measures. We would not choose the bluMartin freeAir100 again.
Good luck,
Dietmar
For all homeowners considering ventilation systems, here are our experiences with the bluMartin freeAir100 ventilation system.
House: Built in 2015, timber frame construction, 175 sqm (1880 sq ft), 2 floors, pellet heating system, solar thermal system, photovoltaic system, decentralized ventilation system bluMartin freeAir100 (3 main units each with an additional room connection), KFW 55 standard.
We chose the bluMartin freeAir100 because, in our view, it combines the advantages of both centralized and decentralized systems and due to its passive house certification.
Result:
A positive aspect is that the system is able to dehumidify the rooms. Especially in the laundry room, all moisture generated during drying is vented outside. According to the manufacturer’s analysis software, heat recovery is also high.
The air quality is insufficient. Without open windows, we find that the air in closed rooms feels stale after a few hours. Detailed measurements (device: CO2 monitor by Dostmann) showed that CO2 concentrations in the morning ranged from 1500 ppm up to over 2000 ppm in some cases. There are no legal limits for private homes, but recommended values (e.g. Pettenkofer value of 1000 ppm) are exceeded. As a result, we need to tilt windows in bedrooms and regularly open windows in other rooms to ventilate.
The units are audible even at the lowest setting. For sleeping, the noise from the rooms with a main unit is too loud for us. In the rooms with the additional unit, ventilation on the lowest setting is barely noticeable. The longer the filters are in use, the louder the noise becomes. I also switch off the system when reading.
The filters must be replaced at least once a year or when the maintenance alert appears. In our case, the error message “Filter Error” consistently appeared well before one year elapsed. The required replacement set is only available via Amazon and cost us a total of 96 euros (approx. $105) for all three units (as of 10/2019). The manufacturer has since stopped using aluminum frames for the filters, which improves the environmental impact.
After four years of use, all three units had to be sent to the manufacturer for repairs. Shipping boxes are provided to the customer. For two units, the “Filter Error” message did not disappear even after filter replacement. The third unit shut down on its own. (When trying to restart it, I received an electric shock at the main switch, which is made of metal! The main circuit board had to be replaced.) Repair costs, even with generous discounts, exceeded 500 euros (approx. $550).
Conclusion: If we had to decide again, we would either choose a centralized ventilation system or forego one altogether, even though we are aware of the challenges of ventilation in airtight construction. The cost of the system at 12,000 euros net (approx. $13,000) in 2015 could have been invested in other energy-saving or energy-generating measures. We would not choose the bluMartin freeAir100 again.
Good luck,
Dietmar
B
bluMartin GmbH10 Oct 2019 18:09Dear Mr. B.,
Thank you for your report. Since we first met in 2015, I have been writing to you personally. I am deeply concerned that we have not yet been able to fully satisfy you as a customer.
Even back then, I pointed out the somewhat unfortunate installation. The fact is that the maximum permitted duct length for 75mm (3 inches) flexible ducts according to the installation manual is 2.5m (8 feet), and 10m (33 feet) for dual duct runs. When long ducts (with high friction resistance) are connected, our constant volume fans respond with increased rotational speeds. This, in turn, leads to earlier filter alerts and increased noise levels.
To improve air distribution in your building, the installer offered you the free installation of our bypass valve at the time. Also, you did not accept our offer to install the premium cover, which significantly reduces noise.
I am convinced that installing the mentioned components would greatly benefit you. If you wish, we would be happy to assist you and would look forward to counting you among our satisfied customers soon.
Thank you very much and best regards
Bernhard Martin
Managing Director bluMartin GmbH
Thank you for your report. Since we first met in 2015, I have been writing to you personally. I am deeply concerned that we have not yet been able to fully satisfy you as a customer.
Even back then, I pointed out the somewhat unfortunate installation. The fact is that the maximum permitted duct length for 75mm (3 inches) flexible ducts according to the installation manual is 2.5m (8 feet), and 10m (33 feet) for dual duct runs. When long ducts (with high friction resistance) are connected, our constant volume fans respond with increased rotational speeds. This, in turn, leads to earlier filter alerts and increased noise levels.
To improve air distribution in your building, the installer offered you the free installation of our bypass valve at the time. Also, you did not accept our offer to install the premium cover, which significantly reduces noise.
I am convinced that installing the mentioned components would greatly benefit you. If you wish, we would be happy to assist you and would look forward to counting you among our satisfied customers soon.
Thank you very much and best regards
Bernhard Martin
Managing Director bluMartin GmbH
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