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_31 Oct 2018 19:13Mycraft schrieb:
A screw in the ventilation duct is a normal feature and cannot be avoided in spiral ducts. So don’t worry about it. The screw does not affect the system’s function or any future cleaning. My ducts have an inner diameter of 63mm (2.5 inches). Spiral ducts are usually at least twice that size, right?
B
bau_2015_31 Oct 2018 19:25I spoke with my builder yesterday. The screw probably got into the system during the installation of the drywall panels. The heating technician did not want to deal with the screw. He agreed to clean the duct only after the screw is removed. When I asked about the necessity of cleaning, he said instead of overthinking it, I should sign a maintenance contract. After the first cleaning, you can see how often it needs to be done. I was shown three methods. I took some photos of brochures:
My builder assured me that the screw will be removed, but I have to wait a few weeks because he is currently very busy.
From this experience, I learned the following:
- The ducts must be cleaned or at least inspected before handover.
- Every technical system requires maintenance. I believe regular maintenance is essential even for perfectly installed ventilation.
- How and how often you need to clean depends on the design of the ventilation system. Everyone can decide for themselves.
- Before installing the system, I recommend asking whether the heating technician can offer a maintenance contract for the ventilation.
My builder assured me that the screw will be removed, but I have to wait a few weeks because he is currently very busy.
From this experience, I learned the following:
- The ducts must be cleaned or at least inspected before handover.
- Every technical system requires maintenance. I believe regular maintenance is essential even for perfectly installed ventilation.
- How and how often you need to clean depends on the design of the ventilation system. Everyone can decide for themselves.
- Before installing the system, I recommend asking whether the heating technician can offer a maintenance contract for the ventilation.
Due to recent circumstances, I opened up my system after 7 years of continuous operation to replace the filters and clean the heat exchanger.
This is what it looks like:
The fresh air chamber is located at the bottom right, where unfiltered outside air enters.
You can see a layer of dust both before and after the filters.
However, at the top left, after the heat exchanger (fresh air into the rooms), everything is relatively clean, almost like it was on the first day. I can also confirm this by looking at the supply air vents in the rooms—they are still clean.
At the top right (exhaust air from the rooms), there is also a slight layer of dust, but significantly less than at the bottom right.
After rinsing the heat exchanger, of course, some dirt came out.
@bau_2015_
Take a look at the structure of my system. All four air chambers are hermetically separated from each other. Practically nothing can leak between them.
This is what it looks like:
The fresh air chamber is located at the bottom right, where unfiltered outside air enters.
You can see a layer of dust both before and after the filters.
However, at the top left, after the heat exchanger (fresh air into the rooms), everything is relatively clean, almost like it was on the first day. I can also confirm this by looking at the supply air vents in the rooms—they are still clean.
At the top right (exhaust air from the rooms), there is also a slight layer of dust, but significantly less than at the bottom right.
After rinsing the heat exchanger, of course, some dirt came out.
@bau_2015_
Take a look at the structure of my system. All four air chambers are hermetically separated from each other. Practically nothing can leak between them.
B
bau_2015_4 Nov 2018 15:57You are right, a lot depends on the setup of the system. It is possible that in your system, the exhaust and supply airflows are completely separated.
We can only speculate whether there is dust inside your ventilation ducts. I think it’s like with furniture: you only notice the dust when you wipe over it with a cloth.
Mycraft schrieb:Dust can also pass through filters. I have observed that as well.
You can see that a layer of dust is present both before and after the filter.
Mycraft schrieb:The cleaning has already paid off for you.
After I rinsed the heat exchanger, some dirt naturally came out.
We can only speculate whether there is dust inside your ventilation ducts. I think it’s like with furniture: you only notice the dust when you wipe over it with a cloth.
bau_2015_ schrieb:
Dust also passes through filters. I have noticed that as well Yes, often only coarse filters are installed, so this is completely normal.
bau_2015_ schrieb:
One can only speculate whether there is dust inside your ventilation ducts. Most of my ducts are easily accessible. I can practically look inside anytime to see how it looks.
Exhaust air dusty, supply air clean.
It’s really unbelievable...^^ At first, the writing style and expression clearly matched, then after a direct hint, suddenly appeared inconsistent and highly variable spelling errors from different regional varieties. Unfortunately, the idea is not very convincing. Maybe try again in another forum.
These things are always entertaining, where’s the popcorn?
Too bad I missed it^^
Sorry for bringing this up again, but after 14 pages, I just had to comment.
These things are always entertaining, where’s the popcorn?
Too bad I missed it^^
Sorry for bringing this up again, but after 14 pages, I just had to comment.
Similar topics