ᐅ Controlled ventilation vs. natural ventilation

What are the advantages and disadvantages of mechanical ventilation compared to conventional natural ventilation? Why do all residential construction companies building high-quality condominiums or townhouses not install mechanical exhaust systems and choose not to benefit from the potential advantages of mechanical ventilation, thereby not complying with the requirements of a new energy-saving regulation?

Best regards

Advantages:
- Constant supply of fresh air
- Regular ventilation is ensured, even when absent
- Time-saving
- No cold drafts from open windows at low outside temperatures

Disadvantages:
- High initial investment
- Occasional maintenance required

Other facts:
Energy savings from heat recovery are offset by electricity costs. Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery is primarily a comfort feature. The main argument about germs mainly comes from manufacturers of decentralized systems. The introduction of germs into the home is actually reduced by mechanical ventilation, as long as filters and other components are properly maintained.

Why don’t residential construction companies generally install these systems? It comes down to cost!

In addition to the cost aspects already mentioned by the previous poster, a natural ventilation system offers several other advantages compared to a mechanical system:

• Room climate can be controlled independently
• Optimized energy consumption
• No or significantly lower CO2 emissions
• And as mentioned: Lower price, as well as reduced maintenance costs

What do you mean by optimized energy consumption?

Regarding the other points, it sounds like I wouldn’t be able to open my windows anymore if I have a controlled ventilation system. Of course, I can still influence the indoor climate myself by ventilating in the traditional way. The same applies to CO2 emissions.

Price is always a factor, and with the heat recovery ventilation system, hygiene of the ducts and maintenance are also consistent concerns.