ᐅ Ventilation in Prefabricated Houses (Timber Frame with External Thermal Insulation Composite System) — Is It Also Needed in Solid Construction Homes?

Then something is definitely wrong on your end. The Pluggit system actually includes central filters within the unit! And your fresh air intake is located near the floor? And you have a short-circuit between the supply air and exhaust air? How far apart are they?

As for the dust problem, the ventilation system is really not to blame. Either something is completely out of control on your side, or your generally negative attitude toward controlled residential ventilation is causing you to blame it for many issues...

Manu1976 schrieb:


To be honest, I also don’t really want to have to explain anymore why we no longer prefer ventilation systems.

I have to agree here with @Manu1976.
They tried using a ventilation system in their previous house – it did not deliver the expected results or was perceived as “negative.” The reasons for this are open to speculation: incorrect installation, improper use, or possibly an older system (the house was built in 1998, so technology has likely advanced since then).
In any case, the conclusion from their experience is that the new house will be built without a ventilation system. That’s perfectly fine.

@Manu1976 shared their many years of experience here, which surely isn’t unfounded (hm: ventilation – “not unfounded” as in “from the air” :cool). Perhaps they attribute some issues to the ventilation or have become particularly sensitive to “similar problems” over time. It’s a common phenomenon – once you notice something (e.g., rattling in a car), you pay extra attention to it and perceive it even more clearly.
It should be clear that this is not a general criticism of ventilation systems, and newer systems might have long since resolved these issues – especially since they initially mentioned being enthusiastic about the system.

The unit is located in the basement, so naturally the floor isn't far away (light well). The supply and exhaust air ducts each run around a corner, just like with the heat pump. And the kitchen odors only occur when the wind is blowing in the right direction, which can happen if the intake and exhaust vents aren't located several meters away. Interestingly, I’m not the only one experiencing these minor issues—I have spoken to several others who have the same problems, and I highly doubt they were all poorly planned.

In my old house, which didn’t have a ventilation system and was situated on a busy road, I had less fine dust settling on surfaces at higher levels (where you don’t clean every week because you have to climb on a chair). I’m not talking about dust bunnies or lint here. The amount of dust buildup can also be seen quite clearly on the filters in the bathroom, kitchen, and dressing room. After cleaning them, they turn grey with dust again within a few days. What else could it be attributed to other than the ventilation system? I vacuum several times a day using a central vacuum system, which doesn’t blow dust back into the room.

As I said, this is the first time I’m hearing about your problems, except for the issue with humidity. Both the dust and odors—remember, the plugit avent P models have central filters inside the unit!

However, cooking smells in the house are quite common among owners of recirculating range hoods.

I do believe you when you say that after your "experiences" you no longer want a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery, and I’m not questioning that. I was just wondering if the causes and effects have been interpreted correctly on your side...

Grym schrieb:
Has anyone had experience with a prefabricated house (timber frame + external thermal insulation composite system) without a ventilation system?

Yes – and to this day, I only see reasons against a ventilation system, not for one. However, this is largely based on subjective feelings and habits. I can never get used to having an almost identical temperature level in all rooms. Fresh air has to come from outside, if only because of the associated smell and not being circulated and reprocessed multiple times. When the heating is off, doors are always open anyway, and heating costs are so low that air can circulate through the house even in winter. Most importantly: Anything that isn’t installed can’t cause problems or break down. The money saved can be spent on other nice features for the house.

I had to smile at many of the arguments against controlled residential ventilation.

But now to be factual: we live in a timber frame house with external thermal insulation (ETICS) and controlled residential ventilation.

OK, it did require some adjustment compared to before, since the whole house maintains a balanced and similar temperature level. On the other hand, especially in winter, it is very comfortable. When temperatures drop below freezing, the annoying, time-consuming (especially in the morning) and unpleasant cross-ventilation is no longer necessary – and there’s no longer much need to worry about high humidity or mold.

And in the morning, when you return to the bedroom: no more musty smell.

After showering, the steam disappears quickly.

Cooking odors also vanish after a while – of course, the range hood is responsible for handling those initially.

In conclusion: never again without controlled residential ventilation in a new build. From an economic perspective, the €7,500 we spent will probably never pay off – but the increase in comfort during the cold season is tremendous.

However, it is true that the system still requires some attention: changing filters in the unit and the exhaust vents. But because of this, the system doesn’t get dirty, and the fresh air is genuinely fresh and clean.

And regardless of whether it’s a prefabricated house or a masonry house with or without external thermal insulation, without controlled residential ventilation: if the ventilation is neglected, insufficient, or done incorrectly, everything will smell musty everywhere.

Best regards