central vs. decentralized ventilation system

I am at a loss as to why anyone still feeds the forum troll here at all. There is an ignore function here and it was made for xMisterDx.

That's why I wanted to ask you, which version did you decide on? Are you satisfied with it? Would you choose the same again?

We have a central system - for the second time - and were very satisfied with the first one. I only find the noises noticeable (maybe disturbing, depends on the person) where the ventilation is located, in our case in the basement / utility room. In the other rooms it is barely noticeable. On the highest setting maybe a little, but you usually only turn it up when guests are over, then it gets drowned out anyway. We also had the positive side effect that, due to the air exchange, our laundry hung in the utility room (there was an exhaust there) dried extremely fast. Not least for that reason, I always found it super practical.

I also know some people with decentralized systems who are dissatisfied with performance and/or noise.

That's why I wanted to ask you, which version did you decide on? Are you satisfied with it? Would you choose the same again?

Central system with heat recovery. Satisfied is not even the word - I never ever want a house without such a system again.

In the previous apartment, we had a decentralized system. Horrible, we only turned it on once and never again. In my opinion, it is purely a token measure to comply with the energy saving regulations.

With a decentralized ventilation system, I can, if I want, control each room separately, but at least separate the upper and lower floors. In other words, at night I set the downstairs to 2 or 3. Doesn’t bother anyone. In the morning and evening, when everyone is in the living room, I set upstairs to 3. Doesn’t bother anyone.

Why should you do that? The system should regulate itself and not bother anyone in the process. This works just as well with a central system as with a decentralized one. Central units are usually significantly quieter despite higher air volumes.

And if a fan is defective, I simply replace it. Costs 500 EUR including heat exchanger. What does the central fan of the controlled residential ventilation cost? ;)

Depends on the fans installed. But most use the usual ones from Papst. These cost exactly €438.27 as a complete assembly. Installation can be done by someone who can change a bicycle tube.

The ducts, which you never get access to again, can become a massive problem.

Misconception.

Think about it. If you have mold in a room... where does it go? And how do you get it completely out of the ducts again?

Believe it or not, ducts can actually be cleaned. Although mold in a house with controlled residential ventilation is already an exception in itself. Something must have gone seriously wrong there. Use the central system if you have the option. All in all, it is significantly more comfortable, quieter, easier to maintain and and and... your facade will thank you too.

how long have you been living in a house with decentralized ventilation?

With decentralized ventilation, if I want, I can control every room separately, but at least the upper floor and the ground floor separately.
So at night I set the downstairs to 2 or 3. Nobody is disturbed. In the morning and evening, when everyone is in the living room, I set the upstairs to 3. Nobody is disturbed.

That sounds like a very sensible feature.
So turning off the ventilation where people are because it’s annoying like that.
But wait, don’t you need fresh air exactly where people are?

A central controlled residential ventilation system has no single-room control, at least not at the price usually asked for in a single-family house.

Because that is as useful as a goiter.
Not even with heating systems are ERR (single-room controls) still recommended by experts.
For ventilation, that makes even less sense. Especially when it’s manually operated with switches.

And I just replace a defective fan. Costs 500 EUR including heat exchanger. How much does the central fan of the controlled residential ventilation system cost? ;)

The same. With the advantage that I have only one or two, and not one in every room that can break down.

Oh, and you save the ventilation ducts throughout the entire apartment. They don’t stay clean forever either…

Yes, now we come to the only real point. "You save ..." but unfortunately at the wrong end.

They don’t stay clean forever either…

My pipes are still spotless; there is a great invention for that: filters
Ah, and what is also great with central systems: supply and exhaust air are strictly separated, so it could even be irrelevant if the exhaust ducts get dirty over time, because by design there can be no mixing with fresh air.

Yes. Some sensitive souls might have a problem with that. We had the fans running at 100% in the first weeks after moving in, and everyone slept fine.

It was already mentioned, the annoying thing about these devices is the constant changing of directions—that really wears you down.

The pipes you never get access to again can become a massive problem.
Think about it. If you have mold in a room... where does it go? And how do you get it completely out of the pipes again?

See above, with central systems strictly separated.
I have the suspicion that the concept is not entirely clear to you yet, otherwise the questions would be different.

When I look at the decentralized stinky things of the neighbors, which first blow out the moist air from the bathroom or the greasy fumes from the kitchen only to then blow the mixture of dust, dirt, grease, and mold back into the living space as supposedly fresh air...
...well, I really don’t need that.

We currently have a decentralized system in both bathrooms of our apartment, one of the bathrooms is directly next to the bedroom. I freak out every time I get into bed after showering and the ventilation is still running at high speed to expel the moist air. I don’t know any houses with a central system, but if they are much quieter, then definitely go for that.