Which ventilation system for new construction (dog boarding facility)?

Hello everyone!

We, my partner and I, want to open a dog boarding house and are currently in the planning phase for our new building. At the moment, we operate our business in an old building.

We are planning a (Sweden) house with about 160 - 180m² of living space. At least KfW70. The construction companies currently under consideration are: Talis Haus, Merlin Haus (Fjorborg), Vierck Holzhäuser, Berg Schwedenhäuser, and a local carpenter who also offers complete construction.

Regarding the heating, we are currently thinking about a geothermal heat pump with surface collectors. But I still have a few appointments with specialists.

Now to my question:

We always have between 10 and 25 dogs in care. Especially now in the wet season, this results in quite high humidity in the rooms. I think a ventilation system makes sense here, also to counteract the characteristic smell of wet dogs a bit...

From what I have read, a ventilation system with heat recovery does not make much economic sense.

Does anyone have tips for us, are there manufacturers that are particularly recommendable? At the first two heating installers I visited, unfortunately, I had the feeling they just wanted to sell me whatever made them the most money...

Regards & thanks,

Florian

Hello,

...We are currently considering a geothermal heat pump with ground collectors for the heating...
We always have between 10 and 25 dogs in care.

That is hardly normal residential use

...From what I have read, a ventilation system with heat recovery does not make much economic sense.

What alternative would there be to address moisture (mold) and the significant odor? Much higher air exchange rates are required here compared to normal residential use. Most standard house providers are likely to be overwhelmed by this. In addition, it is urgently necessary to consider these higher air exchange rates in the heating load calculation (effective thermal air volume flows)!
It is precisely here that a controlled residential ventilation system with heat recovery makes sense!

...Does anyone have tips for us, are there manufacturers that are particularly recommended?

Manufacturers are initially secondary! Primarily, the required dimensions of heating and ventilation are key! Only when the result parameters are known will the manufacturer/device selection take place.

...With the first two heating installers I visited, I unfortunately had the feeling they just wanted to sell me whatever earns them the most money...

That is probably system-inherent and thus no special case, so not really subject to criticism.

Best regards

What alternative would there be to counteract moisture (mold) and the significant odor? Clearly, much higher air exchange rates are required compared to normal residential use. Most standard house providers are likely to be overwhelmed by this. In addition, it is urgently necessary to consider these higher air exchange rates in the heating load calculation (effective thermal air volume flows)!
Precisely here, a controlled residential ventilation system with heat recovery would make sense!

Thank you for the answer.

My consideration as a layperson was:
According to the prices I found on the internet for ventilation systems, a ventilation system with heat recovery costs about €7500, without heat recovery about €2500. The heat recovery saves me about €150 in heating costs per year – from my perspective, the additional €5000 cost is not worth it (assuming my numbers are correct).

We primarily want good air quality and no mold growth, so I thought a ventilation system without heat recovery would be right for us.

..My consideration as a layman was: According to the prices I found on the internet for ventilation systems, a ventilation system with heat recovery costs me about €7,500, without heat recovery about €2,500.

This is already a mistake, since prices depend on the system configuration and the operating parameters to be realized. As long as these are not known, it is speculation or a look into a crystal ball.

.. The heat recovery saves me about €150 heating costs per year - in my view, the additional €5,000 cost is not worth it (assuming my numbers are correct).

Well, to calculate this exactly, the required air volumes, climate parameters, energetic building status (heating load), etc. would also be necessary here. Whoever bases a significant investment decision on assumptions, estimates, or the like usually ends up with a money pit.

.. We mainly want good air quality and no mold growth, so I thought a ventilation system without heat recovery would be right for us.

Well, I personally would reconsider the overall concept. For 25 dogs, the cost per m³ of enclosed space (residential building) would simply be too expensive for me. Proper advice/planning apparently does not seem to be available.

Regards

Hello Florian,

We, that is my partner and I, want to open a dog boarding facility and are currently in the planning phase for our new building.

We are planning a (Swedish) house with about 160 - 180m² of living space. At least KfW70... From what I have read, a ventilation system with heat recovery doesn't make much economic sense. Does anyone have tips for us, are there manufacturers that are especially recommendable?... I would of course continue to appreciate a constructive exchange of ideas with others!

Even if the good €uro sometimes seems a bit polemical to the individual, it is not wrong in substance; engineers (of whatever kind) sometimes tend to have a narrow perspective.

On the subject – Swedish houses are – admittedly – not my topic, I come from conventional house construction; on the other hand, we also install ventilation systems there due to increasingly tighter houses/regulations Energy Saving Ordinance. The range of systems is enormous and – the "pure" heating engineer is certainly not the most suitable contact person. It is advisable to contact a company specializing in ventilation systems and their installation.

We currently often install demand-controlled exhaust ventilation systems from Lunos, Aereco, Helios – the ventilation technician often recommends a combination of two of the providers. For the offer, he needs the floor plans with exact designation of the use of each room. With the openings in the filigree ceiling, core drillings, electrical work and roof ventilation tiles, costs for a normal single-family house of about 130 sqm amount all in to €2,800.00 to €3,200.00 _without_ heat recovery, which really doesn’t make much economic sense when comparing costs and benefits.

Best regards

Hello,

...without heat recovery, which economically really does not make much sense when weighing costs and benefits.

Such general statements are the cause of many, partly irreversible wrong decisions.

Best regards