Hello
I have a newly built, 5-year-old passive house equipped with a ventilation system.
Lately, I have been thinking a lot about cleaning the ducts installed inside the building structure, since these are not accessible for removing construction dust and accumulated dirt.
I have now taken some photos with an inspection camera, showing about a 1 cm (0.4 inch) layer of dust inside the exhaust duct, which is not ideal.
After much consideration, I have found a partner with whom I have solved this problem.
We offer efficient cleaning using a cleaning pig. However, before we enter the market (planned for 1.1.2019), I wanted to hear some feedback regarding new buildings with ventilation systems.
This concerns systems installed with distributors and plastic ducts.
We would like to limit our service initially to the NRW area, but here I am interested in a realistic assessment from owners of such systems.
I have one myself and want to continue breathing clean air, not dirty, dusty air...
The method we offer is truly effective and efficient.
So, let’s hear your thoughts.
I have a newly built, 5-year-old passive house equipped with a ventilation system.
Lately, I have been thinking a lot about cleaning the ducts installed inside the building structure, since these are not accessible for removing construction dust and accumulated dirt.
I have now taken some photos with an inspection camera, showing about a 1 cm (0.4 inch) layer of dust inside the exhaust duct, which is not ideal.
After much consideration, I have found a partner with whom I have solved this problem.
We offer efficient cleaning using a cleaning pig. However, before we enter the market (planned for 1.1.2019), I wanted to hear some feedback regarding new buildings with ventilation systems.
This concerns systems installed with distributors and plastic ducts.
We would like to limit our service initially to the NRW area, but here I am interested in a realistic assessment from owners of such systems.
I have one myself and want to continue breathing clean air, not dirty, dusty air...
The method we offer is truly effective and efficient.
So, let’s hear your thoughts.
B
bau_2015_27 Oct 2018 20:57There is no doubt that filters in the exhaust duct help keep dust out. I have even observed this at my friend’s place. His ducts look much cleaner than mine. However, he does not take maintenance very seriously and rarely changes the filters.
So
The advantages:
- Significantly less dust enters the exhaust duct. This means the duct needs cleaning less frequently.
The disadvantages:
- The additional resistance caused by the filter can reduce airflow.
- The filter’s resistance depends on how dirty it is, which means it changes over time and makes balancing the supply and exhaust air valves more difficult.
- Uneven filter clogging can lead to uneven airflow distribution in the duct system (air follows the path of least resistance). In the worst case, some ducts may receive no airflow at all.
- Maintenance becomes increasingly complicated. The filter must be replaced at every exhaust vent.
- During maintenance, care must be taken to keep the supply and exhaust valve settings unchanged.
I look forward to your comments.
So
The advantages:
- Significantly less dust enters the exhaust duct. This means the duct needs cleaning less frequently.
The disadvantages:
- The additional resistance caused by the filter can reduce airflow.
- The filter’s resistance depends on how dirty it is, which means it changes over time and makes balancing the supply and exhaust air valves more difficult.
- Uneven filter clogging can lead to uneven airflow distribution in the duct system (air follows the path of least resistance). In the worst case, some ducts may receive no airflow at all.
- Maintenance becomes increasingly complicated. The filter must be replaced at every exhaust vent.
- During maintenance, care must be taken to keep the supply and exhaust valve settings unchanged.
I look forward to your comments.
B
bau_2015_27 Oct 2018 21:12Small update
I wanted to take some photos of the ductwork and found this inside the supply air duct. It was pierced with a screw! Unfortunately, I couldn’t get a better picture with my basic endoscope.
I’m curious to hear what my builder will say on Monday. Does anyone have experience with this?
I wanted to take some photos of the ductwork and found this inside the supply air duct. It was pierced with a screw! Unfortunately, I couldn’t get a better picture with my basic endoscope.
I’m curious to hear what my builder will say on Monday. Does anyone have experience with this?
Our supply and exhaust air vents are located on different sides of the house. They should not be installed on the same side.
An additional sealing tape has been applied to our system. It is airtight. Even after the summer, with the relatively loose bypass, no dirt can be found.
The filters inside the ventilation unit are also easy to clean and replace.
The system is designed with filters on the exhaust air side. Removing the grille and vacuuming or replacing the filter is really no trouble at all.
An additional sealing tape has been applied to our system. It is airtight. Even after the summer, with the relatively loose bypass, no dirt can be found.
The filters inside the ventilation unit are also easy to clean and replace.
The system is designed with filters on the exhaust air side. Removing the grille and vacuuming or replacing the filter is really no trouble at all.
B
bau_2015_27 Oct 2018 21:45haydee schrieb:
The system is designed with a filter in the exhaust air. Do you mean an exhaust air filter in the exhaust vent?
Every technical system requires maintenance or cleaning. The only question is when. In my case, an air supply duct is perforated (I hope only in one spot, my endoscope is only 7 m (23 ft) long). Even after 10 years, I have been unable to clean the duct. I hope my builder will repair it.
So the initial inspection was worthwhile for me. It would be beneficial to inspect all ducts along their entire length.
That’s frustrating. Does it let in a lot of air? I would be annoyed too.
All our supply air ducts are thoroughly embedded in the screed.
Do yours look like that after such a long time, as shown in the picture? We use smooth ducts inside and have a higher airflow with a stronger air stream compared to standard mechanical ventilation systems. Curious to see.
Better to clean or replace the filter than to clean behind radiators.
All our supply air ducts are thoroughly embedded in the screed.
Do yours look like that after such a long time, as shown in the picture? We use smooth ducts inside and have a higher airflow with a stronger air stream compared to standard mechanical ventilation systems. Curious to see.
Better to clean or replace the filter than to clean behind radiators.
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