ᐅ Comparison Tests of Various Centralized Mechanical Ventilation Systems with Heat Recovery + Additional Questions
Created on: 1 Nov 2017 17:46
4
4Motion
Hello dear forum community,
I have a few questions about controlled residential ventilation systems that my own research online and in this forum haven’t helped me with. If you don’t want to read everything, feel free to jump straight to the questions.
First, about our situation: Two builders independently advised us against controlled residential ventilation. The first said it’s not necessary. He prefers to build with clay bricks (Poroton), which are vapor-permeable and allow excess moisture to move outside. He also applies hydraulic lime plaster to the walls, which can quickly absorb and release a lot of moisture and also absorb pollutants. Both the plaster and Poroton do not provide a breeding ground for mold or bacteria. Just occasional manual ventilation (opening windows briefly) is sufficient. He is also critical of the cleaning of duct systems. Well, that’s his opinion for now.
The other builder builds entirely with wood but argues similarly. He told us about customers who installed a controlled residential ventilation system just for safety but have now completely turned it off because they didn’t need it.
So initially, we were against controlled residential ventilation. After my research, however, I still want to have one. Personally, I’m somewhat negligent when it comes to ventilation. My wife, on the other hand, is a ventilation fanatic and always needs a lot of fresh air. She also always finds the air in prefabricated house showrooms very stuffy, which made us even more opposed to controlled residential ventilation. She actually prefers to ventilate manually all the time. Some windows in our home are even left slightly open for longer periods.
1. I am still a bit skeptical. Is there a statistic on what percentage of new builds have a controlled residential ventilation system?
2. To me as a layperson, all systems sound the same. Are there any comparison tests between different brands? Since controlled residential ventilation systems are so widespread, there should be tests similar to those for vacuum cleaners or kitchen appliances.
3. Who are the market leaders and which brands are rather niche players? So I can compare the top 5 myself.
4. Is it better to use round ducts with wide radii instead of flat ducts that sometimes bend sharply at 90°, to allow better cleaning? Or have you not considered that important?
I have a few questions about controlled residential ventilation systems that my own research online and in this forum haven’t helped me with. If you don’t want to read everything, feel free to jump straight to the questions.
First, about our situation: Two builders independently advised us against controlled residential ventilation. The first said it’s not necessary. He prefers to build with clay bricks (Poroton), which are vapor-permeable and allow excess moisture to move outside. He also applies hydraulic lime plaster to the walls, which can quickly absorb and release a lot of moisture and also absorb pollutants. Both the plaster and Poroton do not provide a breeding ground for mold or bacteria. Just occasional manual ventilation (opening windows briefly) is sufficient. He is also critical of the cleaning of duct systems. Well, that’s his opinion for now.
The other builder builds entirely with wood but argues similarly. He told us about customers who installed a controlled residential ventilation system just for safety but have now completely turned it off because they didn’t need it.
So initially, we were against controlled residential ventilation. After my research, however, I still want to have one. Personally, I’m somewhat negligent when it comes to ventilation. My wife, on the other hand, is a ventilation fanatic and always needs a lot of fresh air. She also always finds the air in prefabricated house showrooms very stuffy, which made us even more opposed to controlled residential ventilation. She actually prefers to ventilate manually all the time. Some windows in our home are even left slightly open for longer periods.
1. I am still a bit skeptical. Is there a statistic on what percentage of new builds have a controlled residential ventilation system?
2. To me as a layperson, all systems sound the same. Are there any comparison tests between different brands? Since controlled residential ventilation systems are so widespread, there should be tests similar to those for vacuum cleaners or kitchen appliances.
3. Who are the market leaders and which brands are rather niche players? So I can compare the top 5 myself.
4. Is it better to use round ducts with wide radii instead of flat ducts that sometimes bend sharply at 90°, to allow better cleaning? Or have you not considered that important?
KingSong schrieb:
Then this is not a vapor-permeable wall assembly! Our wood stud wall assembly from inside to outside: clay plasterboard – OSB – stud frame with mineral wool – wood fiber insulation – plaster… no vapor barrier or any plastic layers. Considered a very good wall assembly by the independent building inspector of the Homeowners Protection Association.Except for the clay plaster, this is also our setup.
A common detail in timber construction is OSB or foil as a vapor retarder, then insulated studs, and on the outside a windproof layer made of fiberboard or membrane. From inside to outside, the layers become progressively more permeable. I also think the assembly with OSB and fiberboard is good, but I don’t really see it as vapor-permeable.
All OSB joints are tightly sealed with tape. The base areas and transitions to the wooden ceiling are sealed; I had a somewhat more “romantic” idea of timber construction before I saw how it’s actually done.
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