An overview of the most important accessories for ventilation systems - Part 1
Ventilation systems prevent damage to the building fabric, improve the indoor climate and increase the comfort of use of buildings of all kinds. In order for them to fulfil these tasks to the full satisfaction of their owners, various accessories are required. They increase the effectiveness, but also ensure more comfortable and less disruptive operation. We present the most important accessories in our current series of articles.
Air filters - the right solution for every pollutant load
To ensure the best possible air quality, ventilation systems extract stale air from indoor spaces and supply fresh air from outside. Filters are used to prevent impurities such as exhaust gases from being carried inside with the outside air. Depending on the filter class, they free the incoming air from harmful substances, pollen, dust, but also from odours and other impurities.
Depending on your needs, you can choose between different filter classes. For example, finer versions are recommended near a busy road or in rooms of allergy sufferers, while coarse dust filters are sufficient in rural environments with low exposure to pollutants.
Note:
According to the general recommendation, air filters should be replaced every six months. We recommend a check every three months. In most cases, cleaning is sufficient. The extent to which replacement is necessary should be checked during a regular visual inspection.
Sound insulation - noise reduction during ventilation use
An important factor when selecting a ventilation unit is sound insulation. Particularly with decentralised designs, the inherent and transit sound can quickly become annoying in everyday life - for example, if the unit is located in the bedroom.
To avoid these problems, factors such as the inherent sound and the standard sound level difference should be taken into account when purchasing the unit. Likewise, the installation of the fan should be carefully considered. Here, too, incorrect installation and faulty settings can lead to inappropriate sound pollution.
If the problems still occur, a sound protector can be used. It consists of several inserts that are placed in the installation sleeve. They intercept the sound that enters the building from the outside. In doing so, they swirl it so that it does not reach the interior. If the sound protector is inserted in front of the fan, the inherent sound is also attenuated.
Another possibility is to install sound mats. They are inserted directly into the ventilation duct, where they absorb the vibrations caused by the fan.
Sensors - information acquisition in real time
Depending on the number of people and usage characteristics in a building, the air quality in a building can sometimes be subject to considerable fluctuations. To ensure that the ventilation system adapts to the different conditions, sensors can be used. They measure various values of the air and transmit these as electrical signals to the ventilation system, which increases or reduces its air volume flow accordingly.
In decentralised systems, the sensors are installed directly on the unit. Alternatively, they can also be connected wirelessly to the fan. Humidity, CO2, light and temperature sensors, pressure monitors and dew point controls, among others, are used here.
When buying, you should make sure that the sensors are compatible. Not all systems work optimally with each other.
Air inlets and outlets
Every room in which mechanical air exchange takes place requires a ventilation valve. The openings in the building envelope that are connected to this must be covered with special outer hoods. Here, care must be taken to ensure that they let in sufficient air on the one hand, but are also as inconspicuous as possible on the other.
With decentralised ventilation systems, it is best to use inconspicuous outer wall panels or integration into the window reveal. Since only a small volume of air is conveyed by decentralised systems, a narrow opening is sufficient in most cases. This also offers the advantage of better wind and noise protection.
Special ventilation towers can be installed in underground installations such as cellars. For this purpose, an angle is attached to the outside of the unit, through which the air can be conveyed from the surface. If, on the other hand, the unit is to be installed under the roof, a special outlet solution is used, such as a roof duct in the appropriate colour.
In addition to these variants, there are also classic ventilation grilles and outer hoods that enclose the ventilation system. These are rather simple basic outlets.