I have had a controlled residential ventilation system for 3 years and the comfort is unbeatable. Maintenance is very low and you save a lot of time on airing. I also looked inside the pipes once and they still look like new. The air is filtered and there is less dust in the house (especially interesting for allergy sufferers). Even at night, in absolute silence, you cannot hear the system. Decentralized systems, especially in bedrooms, have been reported to be the opposite. Also, with wind and storms and loud noises in the neighborhood and surroundings, a central system pays off as it dampens outside noises very effectively, which is not the case with gaps, other openings, and decentralized systems. I also do not accept the argument of "it was different before," because in the past there were no requirements for airtightness, so there was/is some draught near windows, for example, even when they are closed.