Installation and type of temperature control - What is it called?

Hello everyone,

we might possibly take over a 2-family house built in 1960 in the next few years, in which we have already been living in the attic for a few years. In that case, we would continue to live in the attic and want to rent out the ground floor.
Now we are already considering a few things about what is actually possible.

We have a supposedly good gas heating system in the basement (at least that’s what everyone tells us). The radiators will definitely be replaced because they are still cast iron and very dirty inside and require a lot of cleaning due to the location of the house (here everything gets dusty very quickly, many spiders, etc.)

However, I recently remembered a documentary that I found very fascinating and would like to learn more about this system and type of temperature control. The problem is that I have no idea what this type of system is called.

In the 1-family house shown, there was quite a large device in the basement that drew fresh air from outside, the air was tempered and then distributed into the individual rooms through air slots. This way, not only heating but also air conditioning was provided.
Since everything was done with fresh air, theoretically not even a window had to be opened anymore because fresh air was constantly circulating.
What I also remember was that the fresh air did not cause any drafts in the rooms. So you could literally place a candle 20 cm from the point where the air enters the room, and the flame wouldn’t move a millimeter.

Maybe someone knows exactly what I mean, can hopefully say something about it and/or tell me where I can best get information about it. Because my knowledge about this system is currently zero :-O

Best regards

That is probably an air-to-air heat pump. For existing buildings, however, it is not suitable unless they are energetically renovated to new-build standards (KFW 55, preferably 40 level).

Controlled residential ventilation is probably also meant (?)

That could have been either an air-to-air heat pump or/and a controlled residential ventilation system (controlled residential ventilation system) with heat recovery, also in combination of both types of devices. As mentioned before, it only makes sense for extremely well-insulated / energetically renovated properties.

The selection and dimensioning of heating and climate components is then also a decision in connection with the other measures for the energetic renovation of the property, by no means an arbitrary one at will.

For a property built in 1960 there is extensive need for action. Before you make your decision to take over/buy this property, you should be sure that you can also finance the follow-up costs for the (energetic) renovation, the modernization and any conversion measures.

Especially since it will also be difficult to bring air into the rooms at all without renewing the screed or installing a suspended ceiling. After all, the pipes have to be laid somewhere.

Nothing more than necessary has ever been done to the house. I can't check right now because everything is stored away here due to a pipe burst some time ago, but the energy certificate was a disaster, already somewhere in the red zone.

Everything here needs to be done new. Roof (so far not even insulated), complete electrical system (replacement of cables as well as installing many more sockets), exterior insulation, insulation of the basement ceiling, windows.
In addition, the things we would like to change ourselves for aesthetic reasons, such as a new bathroom, doors, and possibly a balcony or a staircase with direct access to the garden (so far we always have to walk around the house, but we like living here very much and actually prefer the upper floor).

We are still looking at what is possible, what is necessary, and whether it all makes financial sense in the end. We will inherit the house, but with someone who has no interest in the house.

It is complicated, but long story short, my husband wants to be carried out feet first from here. So I am now looking at what must be done, what can be done, and what is possible. If it costs me as much as a normal house in the end, I don't care even if the workload is higher. The area is great, I also really like living here. There are only eight houses here, which are actually all passed on further, no more construction is allowed, the rest is industrial area (the houses were a city planning mistake back then). So we will not find a replacement nearby or in a similar area.
The Boris is small but the quality of life is very special and also very good. I always call it the most underestimated residential area in the whole city ;-)