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?
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?
H
HeimatBauer4 Aug 2023 11:25That’s exactly the point—hardly anyone has actually experienced it. I find it even worse when people who clearly have no knowledge speak negatively just to justify their own bad purchase.
At the beginning, we also considered using decentralized ventilation units in the bathrooms since a complete central system was too expensive for us. However, we decided to plan the windows carefully and ventilate manually instead. Although the units are not excessively noisy—I'd compare the sound to that of a convection oven—they can be quite annoying. The moment the ventilation finally becomes quiet is truly liberating.
By the way, the noise is equally irritating when taking a bath.
By the way, the noise is equally irritating when taking a bath.
W
WilderSueden4 Aug 2023 11:50jrth2151 schrieb:
We currently have decentralized ventilation units in both bathrooms of our apartment; one bathroom is directly next to the bedroom. I get frustrated every time I lie down after showering and the ventilation is still running at full speed to remove the humid air. I don’t know any houses with central systems, but if those are much quieter, definitely go with one of those. In our units, I set quiet hours from 10 p.m. until morning because they sometimes turn on spontaneously during the night. Even after six months, I’m still not clear what exactly triggers the humidity sensors. In summer, the fans sometimes continue running for up to two hours after showering, even with the windows open... ironically, the fan often only starts after I’m already done showering, even though it’s located right next to the shower.
Except for the necessary planning effort for pipe installation and airflow calculations, a centralized mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery is superior to a decentralized solution in every aspect.
If home builders didn’t always promote it as a premium luxury feature, it could even be offered at a comparable price. This is because it requires no core drilling, no additional power outlets, and no 7-10 extra devices and cover panels on the exterior façade.
When properly planned, it operates silently and the ducts remain clean.
If home builders didn’t always promote it as a premium luxury feature, it could even be offered at a comparable price. This is because it requires no core drilling, no additional power outlets, and no 7-10 extra devices and cover panels on the exterior façade.
When properly planned, it operates silently and the ducts remain clean.
W
WilderSueden5 Aug 2023 16:22To be honest, for new construction you don’t even need core drilling. There is a special brick with a built-in ventilation duct that can simply be integrated into the masonry. The amount of work is basically the same.
In the end, even with decentralized ventilation, some planning is unavoidable. Heat recovery ventilators are always designed and connected in pairs—one ventilates inward, the other outward. If that doesn’t work, there are twin ventilators that handle both directions simultaneously (not sure how well they perform). These are definitely more expensive, though.
One aspect missing from the discussion is the outlets. For central mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, outlets are usually planned in the ceiling. With decentralized systems, the outlets are on the wall, which means you can’t place furniture there. In our bedroom, the outlet conflicts somewhat with a wardrobe door—when the door is swung open fully, it covers the ventilation grille. Of course, this can be avoided with good planning in advance and knowing exactly where the furniture will go. Still, it is a limitation worth considering.
In the end, even with decentralized ventilation, some planning is unavoidable. Heat recovery ventilators are always designed and connected in pairs—one ventilates inward, the other outward. If that doesn’t work, there are twin ventilators that handle both directions simultaneously (not sure how well they perform). These are definitely more expensive, though.
One aspect missing from the discussion is the outlets. For central mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, outlets are usually planned in the ceiling. With decentralized systems, the outlets are on the wall, which means you can’t place furniture there. In our bedroom, the outlet conflicts somewhat with a wardrobe door—when the door is swung open fully, it covers the ventilation grille. Of course, this can be avoided with good planning in advance and knowing exactly where the furniture will go. Still, it is a limitation worth considering.
S
Schwabe935 Aug 2023 20:03I would only install a central ventilation system.
In my previous apartment from 2014, I had a decentralized ventilation system, which was too loud at night. Also, both devices broke down after the warranty period. Replacing each unit cost €900.
(I soldered in a new power supply myself, which only cost €30, if you’re familiar with that.)
The new apartment from 2023 also has a decentralized ventilation system. However, it stops every minute and reverses the fan direction, which is extremely annoying → the system is turned off at night.
In my parents’ house, there is a central system that you can’t hear and, after 20 years, shows no mold or similar issues in the ducts.
Is €13,000, as mentioned by the thread starter, a realistic price for a central ventilation system?
Best regards
In my previous apartment from 2014, I had a decentralized ventilation system, which was too loud at night. Also, both devices broke down after the warranty period. Replacing each unit cost €900.
(I soldered in a new power supply myself, which only cost €30, if you’re familiar with that.)
The new apartment from 2023 also has a decentralized ventilation system. However, it stops every minute and reverses the fan direction, which is extremely annoying → the system is turned off at night.
In my parents’ house, there is a central system that you can’t hear and, after 20 years, shows no mold or similar issues in the ducts.
Is €13,000, as mentioned by the thread starter, a realistic price for a central ventilation system?
Best regards
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