Single-family house with KfW55/controlled residential ventilation or Energy Saving Ordinance standard - experiences and opinions?

We have also built with controlled residential ventilation (I never want to miss it again) and according to KFW55 due to the new financing conditions. A full 120k at the KFW interest rate + 18k repayment subsidy were worth the extra effort for us. Additionally, we had to pay: €1750 for the energy consultant (50% of the total invoice), and perimeter insulation for around €2500.

Best regards, Kati

I’m a bit surprised that you see KFW55 as compulsorily linked to Controlled Residential Ventilation?

I see it that way too. Actually, I didn’t want a Controlled Residential Ventilation, but by now I know that we will have one. Here, the central Controlled Residential Ventilation is mostly recommended, but we will still consider exactly what suits us; definitely a Controlled Residential Ventilation with heat recovery.
This decision results solely from our individual feelings and behavior and by no means depends on a funding bank. Whether we will make use of such funding we don’t know for sure yet. First, the house will be planned exactly as it fits us within the scope of possibilities and with what makes us feel comfortable. For Kfw, for example, I would never want to “wrap” our house with a heat insulation system, whereas something like a wooden cladding, etc., would be an option. It must please me both in terms of the system and visually, Kfw and subsidy be damned.
All other doubts you hear are absolutely justified… or not… there is a pro and a contra for every decision, and the last thing I would advise you is to base the decision on other people or barroom slogans, but also not on Kfw. It must fit solely for YOU, which in my opinion is often overlooked.
For me, what is important: Do I perceive it as a gain in comfort if the room air is exchanged automatically? For me – as an original opponent – yes. But I will not let my “well-being” be dictated by calculations. Just take the time for this uncertainty and for example check out one of the companies Zehnder or others… or listen to them, address YOUR concerns there. Everyone perceives differently!

Stay with KfW 55 plan or rather “downgrade” to the Energy Saving Ordinance?

Why should such a decision be a “downgrade,” as long as you implement all your comfort components?

I am building with Controlled Residential Ventilation and wouldn’t do it without. Regardless of KFW or Energy Saving Ordinance.

yep

For just under 20k, there is a lot of technology…

…but only what I would have taken anyway without Kfw.

I’m generally a fan of innovation and technology but not of what I consider often exaggerated, expensive automation or equipment tools without noticeable comfort gain. Right now, we have installed a “standard underfloor heating” and I repeatedly have the feeling during the day that the temperature/the climate is just not how I want it. That was never the case in my old house (radiator pipes, no underfloor heating, no Controlled Residential Ventilation).

No apology for repeated topics is necessary, the search function here is totally lame. I hope your possible Controlled Residential Ventilation works better then, otherwise just leave it out.

Are there any experiences with particularly quiet controlled residential ventilation models from current product generations?

Define your noise issue. Is it about the noise coming from the ventilation openings, or the noise from the ventilation unit itself (which should actually be shielded in the basement/attic/utility room)? The ventilation unit is always "loud"; it's the nature of the technology. The noises from the ventilation openings are extremely quiet. As far as I know, you only hear the airflow when it is completely silent inside the house. Otherwise, you don't.

And you don't need the controlled residential ventilation, "it also works with reasonable ventilation behavior without it, is cheaper and anyway the better indoor climate."

Anyone who thinks/says that has simply never lived in a house/apartment that was ventilated by forced air and just doesn't know what they're talking about.

Are there any experiences with particularly quiet controlled residential ventilation models from current product generations?

Simply put: The central systems are all quiet. After all, they are residential ventilation systems and not commercial systems for restaurants or department stores. With decentralized and also with purely exhaust systems, the situation is of course somewhat different.

Whoever thinks/says that simply has never lived in a house/apartment that was mechanically ventilated and just doesn’t know what they’re talking about.

I agree with that. I was hopeful but skeptical about the air quality in the house before. But I would never want to live without it again.
It’s simply always fresh air, everywhere. You can’t imagine it if you’ve never experienced it.
I walk back from the bathroom to the bedroom in the morning expecting the "musty smell of the night before airing," and every morning I’m still amazed that this smell just no longer exists.

On the topic of noise: We have a central ventilation system (combined unit with heat pump) and I can't say that I have ever noticed it outside of the technical room. When standing in the utility room, you can hear the ventilation. When you close the door to the hallway, you don’t hear anything anymore. And I have never heard the outlets / exhaust in the rooms. Not even at night in the bedroom when it’s quiet. But our system also regulates down to level 1 there. Even in the evening while bathing, you don’t hear anything in the bathroom although the exhaust is on. I have even sometimes held my hand in front of it to see if it is running at all.