ᐅ Installing a Mechanical Ventilation System with Heat Recovery in a Basement - Supply and Exhaust Air, Any Tips?
Created on: 13 Dec 2019 09:30
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Grobmutant
Hello everyone,
I am currently thinking about the planning of the mechanical ventilation system.
The ventilation unit will be installed in our basement. Now I'm wondering how and where to best intake the outdoor air and where to exhaust the exhaust air.
There were (or still are) guidelines stating that the outdoor air intake should be at least 1 meter (3 feet) above ground level and not located in a light well.
That would mean I either need to have an “air shaft / column” (e.g., ComfoVent) on the house, which I don’t find very attractive visually, or I would have to bring the outdoor air intake back inside the house at the ground floor / upper floors and duct it through the masonry. This solution also sounds somewhat complicated.
Is it at least possible to exhaust the outgoing air through the light well?
Furthermore, I'm wondering if a ground heat exchanger or brine heat exchanger for the mechanical ventilation system makes sense. What are your experiences with this? Is it worthwhile?
If so, I might also be able to place the “air column” in a more discreet position on the property.
How have you solved this with a mechanical ventilation system installed in the basement? Pictures are also very welcome.
I am currently thinking about the planning of the mechanical ventilation system.
The ventilation unit will be installed in our basement. Now I'm wondering how and where to best intake the outdoor air and where to exhaust the exhaust air.
There were (or still are) guidelines stating that the outdoor air intake should be at least 1 meter (3 feet) above ground level and not located in a light well.
That would mean I either need to have an “air shaft / column” (e.g., ComfoVent) on the house, which I don’t find very attractive visually, or I would have to bring the outdoor air intake back inside the house at the ground floor / upper floors and duct it through the masonry. This solution also sounds somewhat complicated.
Is it at least possible to exhaust the outgoing air through the light well?
Furthermore, I'm wondering if a ground heat exchanger or brine heat exchanger for the mechanical ventilation system makes sense. What are your experiences with this? Is it worthwhile?
If so, I might also be able to place the “air column” in a more discreet position on the property.
How have you solved this with a mechanical ventilation system installed in the basement? Pictures are also very welcome.
The neighbor has an air-to-water heat pump installed indoors in the basement. There is an outlet in the ground floor masonry wall and one in the light well. It works and has not caused any issues so far. It would certainly also work with a controlled mechanical ventilation system.
Controlled residential ventilation in the basement is commonly done, including in our case. Supply and exhaust air are routed through wall penetrations and the ground to the desired outlet point. This also has the advantage that the supply air is additionally pre-warmed or pre-cooled by the soil near the floor. A light well also works.
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JoachimJOY2 May 2020 15:14Hi Grobmutant,
I am facing the same question. I plan to install a Zehnder Q350. Initially, I was recommended to use two ducts. However, there are various reports online about mold, especially in the exhaust air duct. Therefore, I will most likely use the ComfoPipe System 2 stainless steel pipes for supply and exhaust air below ground level. It doesn’t look very attractive, but I want to avoid mold on the exterior wall.
PS: The mold sometimes appears only after a few years.
@Grobmutant: How did you eventually handle this?
Regards, Joachim
I am facing the same question. I plan to install a Zehnder Q350. Initially, I was recommended to use two ducts. However, there are various reports online about mold, especially in the exhaust air duct. Therefore, I will most likely use the ComfoPipe System 2 stainless steel pipes for supply and exhaust air below ground level. It doesn’t look very attractive, but I want to avoid mold on the exterior wall.
PS: The mold sometimes appears only after a few years.
@Grobmutant: How did you eventually handle this?
Regards, Joachim
G
Grobmutant2 May 2020 16:28Hello Joachim, thank you very much for your suggestions. I will take a closer look at them.
So far, I haven’t been able to resolve anything, as everything has been a bit delayed and there are other matters to clarify first.
So far, I haven’t been able to resolve anything, as everything has been a bit delayed and there are other matters to clarify first.
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