I read an interesting article in a German daily newspaper about mechanical ventilation systems. According to it, 90% of all ventilation systems in single-family homes operate incorrectly and cause excessive costs. Operating expenses and maintenance are often higher than expected, and the energy-saving effect is questionable.
We don’t have a ventilation system ourselves; we still ventilate manually, which works well. How about the forum members—have you had any problems with your system, and are the costs within the planned range?
We don’t have a ventilation system ourselves; we still ventilate manually, which works well. How about the forum members—have you had any problems with your system, and are the costs within the planned range?
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BauLine-129 Mar 2013 01:24Hubertus schrieb:
My parents already practiced this, you can’t go wrong and it doesn’t cost anything. The air isn’t preheated, but ventilation systems with heat recovery don’t necessarily save energy either; the operating costs compensate for the heat loss you have to balance with window ventilation.In older buildings, compared to today, the air quality was generally more “open.” Ultimately, it didn’t really matter how the energy was “lost.” With highly insulated houses and supply temperatures of 28-30°C (82-86°F), this ventilation method basically results in a cold home. Note also the requirements of the SIA standards regarding comfort in living spaces.
There are also decentralized ventilation systems whose energy costs at a normal efficiency are about 100 to 150 Swiss francs per year. Their ceramic heat exchangers can even be cleaned weekly in a dishwasher – on a hot cycle – if there is really a need. So far, nothing has been presented here that truly argues against a controlled ventilation system, except for unfounded prejudices.
You just need to inform yourself properly...
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Hubertus-13 Apr 2013 19:48That sounds like something from a brochure by the ventilation system industry. However, there are other opinions as well, including from professionals, not just unsupported prejudices.
What is true, though, is that ventilation needs to be planned. Our house is not very airy; it is quite airtight, but we ventilate through the windows using cross-ventilation. This works quite well if you do it consistently. So no tilt windows, no forgetting to close a window, and so on.
Whether we waste huge amounts of energy this way, I cannot say. You would have to compare it with a similar house with mechanical ventilation.
What is true, though, is that ventilation needs to be planned. Our house is not very airy; it is quite airtight, but we ventilate through the windows using cross-ventilation. This works quite well if you do it consistently. So no tilt windows, no forgetting to close a window, and so on.
Whether we waste huge amounts of energy this way, I cannot say. You would have to compare it with a similar house with mechanical ventilation.
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