ᐅ Installation of Controlled Residential Ventilation – In the Ceiling or Externally?
Created on: 14 Jul 2014 23:39
K
Kazazi
Hello dear forum community,
We are about to make a decision regarding a ventilation system. Among other options, we have two offers for a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery to choose from, which differ in how the ductwork is installed. Naturally, both providers claim that their system is the best.
To help us form our own opinion, we would appreciate hearing about your personal experiences or any objective information explaining why one solution might be preferable over the other:
Provider A wants to route the ventilation ducts inside the precast concrete ceiling between the ground floor and attic, stating this is simply the best solution in new builds; other methods would only be used when retrofitting a mechanical ventilation system in existing buildings. So far, the only specific advantage mentioned is the appearance, as this avoids visible duct boxing outside the ceiling. In this setup, the rooms on the ground floor receive air from above, while those in the attic get air from the floor level. A detailed price quote is still pending.
Provider B intends to run metal ducts from the utility room on the ground floor up to the converted attic (loft), ventilating the attic rooms from there. Visible duct boxing would occur in two narrow spots in the hallway and, if I understand correctly, also at one spot in the converted attic. He claims that this system works significantly better compared to plastic ducts with smaller diameters, which could also be installed in the ceiling. In addition, it avoids an unattractive tangle of distribution ducts in the utility room, and the installation is approximately $1000 cheaper.
Regarding appearance, we don’t consider either a tangle of ducts in the utility room or a few discreet duct boxing sections as problematic, so this factor is not decisive for us. Therefore, we would like to know what other advantages or disadvantages these options might have.
Does option B really perform better? Is there any objective proof of this? And is my husband right in thinking that option B would also be easier to service or handle in case of faults, because the ducts are more accessible? Or are there functional or other significant advantages to option A, apart from appearance, that we should be aware of?
I look forward to your experiences, opinions, and advice on this, thank you very much,
Kazazi
We are about to make a decision regarding a ventilation system. Among other options, we have two offers for a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery to choose from, which differ in how the ductwork is installed. Naturally, both providers claim that their system is the best.
To help us form our own opinion, we would appreciate hearing about your personal experiences or any objective information explaining why one solution might be preferable over the other:
Provider A wants to route the ventilation ducts inside the precast concrete ceiling between the ground floor and attic, stating this is simply the best solution in new builds; other methods would only be used when retrofitting a mechanical ventilation system in existing buildings. So far, the only specific advantage mentioned is the appearance, as this avoids visible duct boxing outside the ceiling. In this setup, the rooms on the ground floor receive air from above, while those in the attic get air from the floor level. A detailed price quote is still pending.
Provider B intends to run metal ducts from the utility room on the ground floor up to the converted attic (loft), ventilating the attic rooms from there. Visible duct boxing would occur in two narrow spots in the hallway and, if I understand correctly, also at one spot in the converted attic. He claims that this system works significantly better compared to plastic ducts with smaller diameters, which could also be installed in the ceiling. In addition, it avoids an unattractive tangle of distribution ducts in the utility room, and the installation is approximately $1000 cheaper.
Regarding appearance, we don’t consider either a tangle of ducts in the utility room or a few discreet duct boxing sections as problematic, so this factor is not decisive for us. Therefore, we would like to know what other advantages or disadvantages these options might have.
Does option B really perform better? Is there any objective proof of this? And is my husband right in thinking that option B would also be easier to service or handle in case of faults, because the ducts are more accessible? Or are there functional or other significant advantages to option A, apart from appearance, that we should be aware of?
I look forward to your experiences, opinions, and advice on this, thank you very much,
Kazazi
Hello, thanks for all the responses so far. If I understood correctly, all of you who answered this question installed the pipes *inside* the ceiling cavity, right? Was the alternative suggested by provider B also offered to you, and if so, what made you choose option A? Or was this question never really raised?
I don’t mind the appearance of the pipes in the utility room, as shown in RFR’s picture; and I’m also not very concerned about the position of the openings, but I would be interested to know if there are functional differences. At the moment, I’m thinking that if provider B is right and their solution works better *and* is cheaper, I would prefer it since the two small boxed-in sections wouldn’t bother me. But if there are valid reasons beyond aesthetics against this type of pipe installation, I would like to know and understand them!
Thanks and best regards,
Kazazi
I don’t mind the appearance of the pipes in the utility room, as shown in RFR’s picture; and I’m also not very concerned about the position of the openings, but I would be interested to know if there are functional differences. At the moment, I’m thinking that if provider B is right and their solution works better *and* is cheaper, I would prefer it since the two small boxed-in sections wouldn’t bother me. But if there are valid reasons beyond aesthetics against this type of pipe installation, I would like to know and understand them!
Thanks and best regards,
Kazazi
@Jaydee
Thanks for the photos. I’ve actually never seen it like this before. But I’m also not familiar with many houses that have mechanical ventilation with heat recovery; the houses I know are somewhat older, and in our new development, many have actually decided against it.
On the ground floor, we have white "discs" in the ceiling, and on the upper floor, discs located at the top of the walls.
@Kazazi
No alternatives were offered to us either. I think every builder has their own preferred system that they trust and install.
Thanks for the photos. I’ve actually never seen it like this before. But I’m also not familiar with many houses that have mechanical ventilation with heat recovery; the houses I know are somewhat older, and in our new development, many have actually decided against it.
On the ground floor, we have white "discs" in the ceiling, and on the upper floor, discs located at the top of the walls.
@Kazazi
No alternatives were offered to us either. I think every builder has their own preferred system that they trust and install.
In our case, the pipes run ON the precast concrete slab, not inside it. Around and above them is insulation, followed by the underfloor heating and the screed. We also always have the exhaust air positioned at the top (in the kitchen, in the ceiling; in the bathrooms, high up in the wall or drywall), and the supply air comes in through the floor in front of the windows. I haven’t heard of pipes running INSIDE the precast concrete slab, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.
N
nordanney18 Jul 2014 22:27In our new development area, almost all controlled residential ventilation systems are installed in the ceiling (regardless of whether it is a precast concrete floor or a traditional poured slab). All supply and exhaust outlets are located in the ceiling – for example, in our case, the attic, where they are placed behind the drywall panels. The reason for installing the system in the ceiling is that it is the simplest method and does not require any soffits or similar constructions.
Masipulami18 Jul 2014 22:34In our case, the pipes were also installed in the ceiling.
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