Experiences with Pluggit AP310 and Roof Penetration DH160-KS

Hello dear home builders,

I would like to share only my experiences with the company PLUGGIT and the AP310 system in the following post (I would never install anything from this company in a house again):

In our house, built in 2015, the developer planned a ventilation system from the company Pluggit. The system ensures a satisfactory air exchange and only loses a little energy through the heat exchanger. This is wonderful during the three colder seasons. In summer, unfortunately, the system only brings the hot air into the house. When it gets colder outside at night, the heat exchanger heats up the cooler supply air and warms it up properly again, so that it doesn’t get cooler inside the house.
Fortunately, the company Pluggit has a bypass in their program that can be easily retrofitted yourself. This bypass bridges the heat exchanger in summer so that the cooler air from outside is no longer unnecessarily heated.

In 2018, we had problems with the device for the first time, which is installed in our attic. In the bedroom below, we could clearly hear noises. On a visit to the attic, it was quickly clear what the cause was. The ventilation system was producing distinct loud noises. After contacting Pluggit and a long Google search, it became clear that it was a fan causing the noises. Pluggit wanted to replace it immediately at a princely price. Anyone who googles this problem finds a ball bearing that is the cause. Cost: 10 € for a set of bearing pullers and a set of ten ball bearings for 10 €. The problem was quickly fixed with this.

At the end of 2020, I then noticed something much worse: The delivered roof penetration DH160-KS consists of a nozzle and a lead apron. This lead apron comes in two colors. We chose the black version to match the anthracite-colored roof tiles. What happened? The paint completely peeled off and spread onto the adjacent roof tiles. There is no statement from Pluggit. After several weeks, unfortunately, I have received no reply. Anyone who wants to install something like this should take a look at the photos. I estimate the damage at about 1000 € because Pluggit obviously used non-weatherproof paint for outdoor use.

Maybe someone here has an idea how I can fix the damage as inexpensively as possible?

Since there actually was feedback that it was not recognizable that the black paint on the lead apron no longer adheres to the lead, I took another photo of the ridge. The company Pluggit still has not responded to the mess they caused to this day.

Thank you very much for your contribution and your experience.

Although I would not install anything from Pluggit either, you are describing absolutely common behavior and wear of technical systems.

After three years of continuous operation a bearing failure? Well, such things happen even among the best. And yes, of course the manufacturer will simply replace entire assemblies and not just individual components. That is simply the approach nowadays. Those who want to save money have to do it themselves or know someone who knows someone.

The paint peeling off the lead pans is also nothing unusual. If I were you, I would use a cold engobe and fix it. But you should be prepared that this will have to be done regularly. That's just how it is with exterior coatings.

Much worse than the lead pans are the plastic variants. Not only do these deform from the sun. They also naturally fade and become brittle over time (surely there are exceptions here as well, but these are much more expensive and are usually only used if explicitly requested).

The thing with the bypass is absolute basic knowledge. Don’t get me wrong.

Thank you very much for the response. It is slowly becoming clear to me that almost every craftsman and manufacturer is after maximum profit and thereby really alienates customers. I would not have thought such behavior possible. Obviously, it is calculated, which is probably why the prices are so high. Customers end up paying for incompetence, scarcity, and rejects.

Fortunately, there is a fitting for my roof tiles. Then I have material made of clay, and the color will not peel off. Imagine buying a car and after 5 years it loses 99.9% of its paint. The manufacturer does not comment on this. Anyone buying from or at Pluggit should think twice. In construction contracts, I would make sure that some companies are directly excluded. The usual wording there is "or from an equivalent manufacturer." That allows developers to install almost whatever they want.

Is there already experience here on whether the ugly color can possibly be removed with a Kärcher? I almost assume that I can still replace 30 roof tiles and that only because, and I repeat gladly, the company Pluggit is not capable of using a paint that can withstand the weather. Unbelievable!

Yes, unfortunately it is like that. We are simply a throwaway society and the "managers" optimize everything that isn't up to scratch.

Imagine buying a car and after 5 years it loses 99.9% of its paint.

You have to compare apples to apples. So something like: "Imagine buying a car and after 5 years the trim pieces have faded." Oops... with the unpainted ones, that is actually the case.

The manufacturer does not comment on this.

Most likely he won’t. He is out of warranty. Everything else is your problem. In principle, you could have just taken the clay roof tile from the start, if it apparently exists as you say. For example, I insisted on clay back then and had the installers turn around immediately when they showed up with a plastic tile.

Are there already experiences here on whether the ugly color can possibly be removed with a pressure washer?

Yes, of course, many craftsmen have even specialized in removing all sorts of things from roofs using high-pressure cleaning and thus making old (or dirty) roofs shine in a new light. It is therefore possible; you just have to be careful with the pressure... like when cleaning a car or other things with a pressure washer.

I almost assume that I can still replace 30 roof tiles

No, that danger certainly does not exist.