Experiences with a central residential ventilation system

Hello everyone,

So far, I have informed myself very thoroughly in older posts in this forum about the necessity of a central ventilation system. Especially in well-insulated houses up to passive houses, controlled ventilation is indispensable.

Nevertheless, I ask myself how this complex system of pipes can be properly maintained over the years, and of course at what cost? Clearly, the supply air from outside must be filtered, this filter must be continuously cleaned/replaced. But what about the pipe system? How does it look in terms of contamination?
I imagine that to be quite off-putting, the clean air from outside is sucked in, the filter is new, and then the pipe system is completely dirty and full of germs. Ultimately, poor air is then continuously distributed into all rooms. Or can such a degree of contamination not arise at all?

Regards Earl

Hi!

One should consider cleaning during planning so that after x years one can "thoroughly sweep through." The horrifying images spread in the media – especially featuring a gentleman who frequently appears in the media as an "expert" and critic of modern construction – surprisingly show dirty exhaust air ducts. Honestly, I don’t really care whether the exhaust air, laden with dust, is expelled outside.... The supply air is – as you rightly write – sufficiently filtered and thus does not introduce any significant dirt into the system. But one should above all be aware that this technology needs maintenance. It’s not rocket science and anyone can do it themselves – provided they have a bit of technical understanding. The filter changes are really not difficult, and every now and then keeping a watchful eye on the display doesn’t hurt.

For maintenance, provide inspection hatches already during the construction phase; otherwise, you can only clean the ducts through the outlet valves – it can then become difficult behind the first silencer. Your concern about germs is rather unfounded. Studies have shown that the number of germs and the load of bacteria and spores in outdoor air is significantly reduced by a ventilation system. Source, since linking is undesirable here, gladly by private message.

Yes, exactly because of such horrifying images on TV I wrote this post. Yesterday there was something on the [Dritten] here in BaWü... the pipes really looked terrible. My better half became quite alert because of that...

But you do know how a controlled residential ventilation system is basically structured, right? Usually, exhaust air rooms and supply air rooms are defined.

Bathrooms, auxiliary rooms, storage rooms, and corridors are exhaust air rooms. These were the rooms mentioned in the article about ventilation. What’s so bad about dust collecting in an exhaust duct? Furthermore, Mr. Fischer should explain how permanently humid air is supposed to be present in these ducts in a normally used bathroom. This happens cyclically. Moreover, it is completely unclear to me why supposed (!) germ growth in an exhaust duct should be a problem...

Again: The germ/spore/bacteria intake from the NORMAL outside air is demonstrably REDUCED by the filters of the standard filter classes of an ordinary controlled residential ventilation system!!!

and besides.... I wouldn’t want to miss the comfort anymore. Air is the number 1 essential. Having fresh air in the house always and at any time is firstly wonderful and secondly, the time saved by not having to ventilate is enormous. On top of that, it is always properly ventilated – even if I’m not there.

Hello EarlGrey, I can only share your concerns. Just because it is modern and many companies offer it or it may become mandatory in a new energy regulation, does not mean it is good! So far, no one has been able to answer your questions, except that it is state of the art (statement from a solid construction company)! If something comes onto the market under the guise of "state of the art" but maintenance and care are not clarified, then it does not seem mature to me. Maybe we will get some answers here in the forums or only a confirmation of my assumptions. Regards

Despite everything, I ask myself how this complex system of pipes can be properly maintained over the years, and of course at what cost?

Can someone say how much it approximately costs to have the air ducts cleaned by a cleaning company?

I also saw this report on the third channel, and they mention about €500!?