ᐅ Advantages and Disadvantages of Ventilation and Exhaust Systems
Created on: 20 Nov 2013 10:45
K
kaho674
D
Doc.Schnaggls20 Nov 2013 11:04Hello,
I had a similar issue at the beginning of our construction planning phase. Especially in summer, our apartment is usually ventilated well in the evenings because the windows are open, ensuring sufficient airflow.
In winter, however, we regularly struggle with condensation because, for example, we cannot open our roof windows when there is snow on the roof or when rain and wind come from the “wrong” direction.
Additionally, our current apartment is 11 years old, so it no longer meets today’s insulation standards. This means our new build will likely experience even more condensation during the cold season unless we ventilate adequately.
For this reason, I was persuaded to install a central ventilation system with heat recovery.
This system will also remove construction moisture from the house without much effort, and as an added bonus, the heat recovery will help distribute the warmth from our wood stove throughout the house.
I still don’t consider the system absolutely necessary — for me, it’s more of a “nice to have.”
Best regards,
Dirk
I had a similar issue at the beginning of our construction planning phase. Especially in summer, our apartment is usually ventilated well in the evenings because the windows are open, ensuring sufficient airflow.
In winter, however, we regularly struggle with condensation because, for example, we cannot open our roof windows when there is snow on the roof or when rain and wind come from the “wrong” direction.
Additionally, our current apartment is 11 years old, so it no longer meets today’s insulation standards. This means our new build will likely experience even more condensation during the cold season unless we ventilate adequately.
For this reason, I was persuaded to install a central ventilation system with heat recovery.
This system will also remove construction moisture from the house without much effort, and as an added bonus, the heat recovery will help distribute the warmth from our wood stove throughout the house.
I still don’t consider the system absolutely necessary — for me, it’s more of a “nice to have.”
Best regards,
Dirk
You’re about to start a heated debate.
Sure, you don’t need a mechanical ventilation system. BUT you should keep in mind that the risk of mold increases significantly if you don’t ventilate consistently.
Our house is extremely airtight; if you put it harshly, we’re basically living in a plastic bag. If I turn off the ventilation system, which often happens overnight in winter, and then forget to turn it back on, it quickly feels very stuffy to me. This happened quite often in the spring, shortly after we moved in. The whole house smelled musty—like a diaper bin and the dinner from the night before. The new furniture was still off-gassing, and overall it wasn’t pleasant. When the system ran all night, the downside was that the indoor temperature dropped—from 19°C to 17°C (66°F to 63°F)—but the air was clear.
I could show you pictures of the exhaust filters, which I replace every 2-3 months (2 € each, a total of 5 pieces per replacement), if I had any.
The ventilation system has the advantage that I don’t HAVE to open windows, but I still can. Shortly after dinner, I have fresh air in the house, and mirrors don’t fog up. Another advantage we use often: when we have many guests, our living room tends to heat up to 25°C (77°F), which most guests find too warm. The ventilation system lowers the temperature by 1-2 degrees. You could tilt the windows to ventilate, but in our rural area that means letting in moths, flies, mosquitoes, and other insects attracted to light. Another plus: pollen filters. My wife really appreciates this, and her antihistamine use has dropped significantly.
There are disadvantages to mention as well: around 50-100 € per year for electricity, 50 € for replacement filters, 50 € for filters built into the system itself, filter cleaning, and at night in summer, the system is audible on setting 3… but this is worth it for the 1-2 degree cooling effect and despite the high initial investment.
However, probably the biggest benefits are A) heat recovery and B) the increase in indoor humidity levels. In winter, the living area had humidity levels around 20%, but after installing the enthalpy exchanger, it rose to about 35%. Not perfect yet, but I’m sure when we have plants, it will improve even more.
In conclusion, I would never want to build without one, especially now that ours is running.
Sure, you don’t need a mechanical ventilation system. BUT you should keep in mind that the risk of mold increases significantly if you don’t ventilate consistently.
Our house is extremely airtight; if you put it harshly, we’re basically living in a plastic bag. If I turn off the ventilation system, which often happens overnight in winter, and then forget to turn it back on, it quickly feels very stuffy to me. This happened quite often in the spring, shortly after we moved in. The whole house smelled musty—like a diaper bin and the dinner from the night before. The new furniture was still off-gassing, and overall it wasn’t pleasant. When the system ran all night, the downside was that the indoor temperature dropped—from 19°C to 17°C (66°F to 63°F)—but the air was clear.
I could show you pictures of the exhaust filters, which I replace every 2-3 months (2 € each, a total of 5 pieces per replacement), if I had any.
The ventilation system has the advantage that I don’t HAVE to open windows, but I still can. Shortly after dinner, I have fresh air in the house, and mirrors don’t fog up. Another advantage we use often: when we have many guests, our living room tends to heat up to 25°C (77°F), which most guests find too warm. The ventilation system lowers the temperature by 1-2 degrees. You could tilt the windows to ventilate, but in our rural area that means letting in moths, flies, mosquitoes, and other insects attracted to light. Another plus: pollen filters. My wife really appreciates this, and her antihistamine use has dropped significantly.
There are disadvantages to mention as well: around 50-100 € per year for electricity, 50 € for replacement filters, 50 € for filters built into the system itself, filter cleaning, and at night in summer, the system is audible on setting 3… but this is worth it for the 1-2 degree cooling effect and despite the high initial investment.
However, probably the biggest benefits are A) heat recovery and B) the increase in indoor humidity levels. In winter, the living area had humidity levels around 20%, but after installing the enthalpy exchanger, it rose to about 35%. Not perfect yet, but I’m sure when we have plants, it will improve even more.
In conclusion, I would never want to build without one, especially now that ours is running.
The great thing about a controlled residential ventilation system is that you can still open the windows whenever you want. When the windows are closed, humidity is effectively removed, and the house always has fresh air.
Advantages:
- No excessive humidity in the house throughout the year
- Always fresh air at home, even after returning from vacation
- Reduced heat loss in winter
- Better heat distribution in winter
- Improved temperature distribution in summer
- No mold anywhere, not even behind furniture
- Less dust in the air
- Excellent for allergy sufferers, as pollen stays outside
- Quick drying of laundry on the line and towels in the bathroom, for example, during winter inside the building
- Bathroom/shower moisture is removed within minutes
Disadvantages:
- Initial purchase cost
- Operating costs (between 20W and ~200W power consumption)
- Maintenance costs (filters + basic cleaning every 6 months, full cleaning every 10 years)
- Appearance (if it is bothersome), meaning vents in ceilings, floors, walls, or facades
- Noise level
- Dry air in winter
The figures I provided are, of course, only estimates, as every manufacturer differs somewhat, but they are all more or less in this range since all systems are based on the same principle.
Advantages:
- No excessive humidity in the house throughout the year
- Always fresh air at home, even after returning from vacation
- Reduced heat loss in winter
- Better heat distribution in winter
- Improved temperature distribution in summer
- No mold anywhere, not even behind furniture
- Less dust in the air
- Excellent for allergy sufferers, as pollen stays outside
- Quick drying of laundry on the line and towels in the bathroom, for example, during winter inside the building
- Bathroom/shower moisture is removed within minutes
Disadvantages:
- Initial purchase cost
- Operating costs (between 20W and ~200W power consumption)
- Maintenance costs (filters + basic cleaning every 6 months, full cleaning every 10 years)
- Appearance (if it is bothersome), meaning vents in ceilings, floors, walls, or facades
- Noise level
- Dry air in winter
The figures I provided are, of course, only estimates, as every manufacturer differs somewhat, but they are all more or less in this range since all systems are based on the same principle.
Mycraft schrieb:
Disadvantages:
- Noise level Okay, so there are advantages then. Although, sorry for saying this, I still prefer to keep the windows wide open. I also sleep with the window open – even in winter.
How loud is the system? Does it hum constantly? Is it as loud as a laptop, for example, or quieter?
kaho674 schrieb:
Ok, so there are advantages. Although, sorry to say, I still prefer opening the windows. I also sleep with the window open – even in winter.
How loud is the system? Does it hum constantly? As loud as a laptop, for example, or quieter?The system is quite audible in the utility room, and you can also hear it outside. So if you sleep directly above the mechanical room and have the windows open, you will hear it... although you can turn it off at night.
During the day, the system is not audible at all in the living areas, regardless of the fan speed. Only in the room directly above the utility room can you hear the system. However, it is noticeable only on the highest setting (level 3); on level 2, it is barely audible.
Generally, it depends heavily on the specific system installed and how well it was calibrated and mounted. I think that in our case, the sound attenuator in that one room was either forgotten or installed incorrectly. We will have it checked again. So far, we only use the room as a guest room, so it hasn’t been an issue for us.
You shouldn’t think of such a system like a kitchen extractor hood – it moves much less air in and out.
If you put your ear directly against the ventilation grille, you can hear it. Maybe also if you focus intently on the sound. But I hardly notice the system at all... and to be honest... the five wind turbines about 3 meters (2 miles) away and the highway 5 kilometers (3 miles) further on are louder with the window open.
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