What does a ventilation system actually do?

A ventilation system is an invisible but extremely important component in many buildings. But what does this term actually mean and how does such a system work? Ventilation systems offer a wide range of benefits, from individual control to energy efficiency. In this article, we take an in-depth look at some key questions that we come across time and again: What do ventilation systems actually do and how do they work? When does it make sense to use ventilation systems and what legal regulations need to be taken into account? We also look at the key benefits of using a modern ventilation system. Immerse yourself with us in the fascinating world of ventilation systems.

 

What does a ventilation system actually do?

A ventilation system is an essential part of a modern building that is crucial for the air quality in buildings and the comfort of the occupants. This system consists of various components that work together to ensure that fresh air enters the rooms and stale air is extracted outside.

Basically, a ventilation system works by ensuring controlled air exchange. This is achieved by blowing fresh air into the rooms and extracting stale air at the same time. The air is passed through filters to remove pollutants and particles and then installed through a heat recovery system to maximise energy efficiency.

There are different types of ventilation systems, including centralised and decentralised systems. Centralised ventilation systems supply air to the entire building via air ducts, while decentralised systems use independent units in different rooms. Both variants have their own advantages and disadvantages and can be selected according to requirements and building structure.

By individually controlling the air circulation and temperature in each room, decentralised ventilation systems can help to create a pleasant and healthy indoor climate. They also contribute to energy efficiency, as they are only operated in the rooms where they are needed and reduce the transfer of pollutants between rooms.

Why have a ventilation system?

The functioning of a domestic ventilation system is crucial for maintaining a healthy indoor climate and the well-being of the occupants. Such a ventilation system consists of various components, including ventilation units, air ducts, filters and control elements. The ventilation units extract stale air from the indoor spaces and install fresh outdoor air, while heat recovery systems improve energy efficiency. This helps to remove harmful pollutants and excess moisture, improving air quality and reducing the risk of mould growth.

In new buildings, ventilation systems play an important role in meeting legal requirements for air quality and creating a comfortable environment for occupants. Air quality is particularly important in airtight buildings. In renovation projects, ventilation systems can also help to bring existing buildings up to the state of the art and ensure modern comfort. Natural ventilation alone is generally not enough here. Find out more about the differences between natural and mechanical ventilation systems, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the various solutions, in our blog post.

Ventomaxx offers customised ventilation solutions for various building types that are specifically tailored to the requirements of these buildings. Whether it's creating a comfortable indoor climate in hotel rooms or ensuring healthy indoor air quality in offices, Ventomaxx ventilation systems are versatile and help to ensure that specific air quality requirements are met.

Would you first like to know more about the differences between natural and mechanical ventilation technology? In our blog post "Ventilation technology unravelled: what you need to know about natural and mechanical ventilation solutions", we explain the advantages and disadvantages of the various systems. We also offer detailed insights into the advantages of decentralised ventilation systems, as described in our article "5 top advantages: Decentralised ventilation systems!".

 

Legal regulations for ventilation systems

When planning and installing ventilation systems, it is important to take the applicable legal regulations into account. Of course, there are also specific building regulations and guidelines in Germany that govern the use and installation of ventilation systems. These regulations aim to improve indoor air quality and ensure that occupants have healthy and comfortable living conditions.

In many cases, there is also a legal requirement for ventilation in buildings. This means that certain buildings such as residential buildings, office buildings or public institutions are obliged to have sufficient ventilation facilities to ensure adequate air quality. These requirements can vary depending on the type of building and its use.

 

Is a ventilation system mandatory?

Modern new builds are designed to be airtight in accordance with regulations. This increases energy efficiency while minimising heat loss. At the same time, air exchange inside the building is becoming increasingly important. In the past, fresh air penetrated older buildings through leaks, but nowadays every new building requires a specific ventilation concept to prevent moisture and mould growth. The German standard DIN 1946-6 regulates the requirements for the ventilation of living spaces and buildings. It determines the necessary air exchange rate based on room size, utilisation and number of people. For newly constructed buildings or those undergoing extensive modernisation in the area of ventilation technology (e.g. replacement of more than a third of the windows), the standard stipulates that a ventilation concept must be drawn up to determine whether additional ventilation measures are required.

DIN 1946-6

A ventilation concept in accordance with DIN 1946-6 refers to the German guidelines that define the requirements for the ventilation of living spaces and buildings. This standard is specifically focussed on the area of domestic ventilation.

The ventilation concept in accordance with DIN 1946-6 covers various aspects that must be taken into account when planning and implementing ventilation systems. One key aspect is the minimum air exchange rate, which is calculated based on room utilisation, the number of people and the size of the room. This rate determines how often the room air must be exchanged per hour to ensure good air quality. The concept also includes the maintenance and servicing of the ventilation technology. DIN 1946-6 defines four ventilation levels to ensure adequate air exchange.

DIN 18017-3

Another important standard is DIN 18017-3, which concerns the ventilation of bathrooms and toilet rooms without windows in residential buildings. According to this standard, other rooms within the residential units of the building can also be ventilated. These include, for example, kitchens or bathrooms with windows, kitchenettes, utility or storage rooms. Only ventilation-assisted ventilation systems are permitted. The ventilation units are either controlled by the user according to demand or completely autonomously by room air sensors.

Ventilation systems are used in a wide range of applications. In addition to residential buildings and offices, ventilation systems can also be found in schools, hospitals, shopping centres and industrial facilities. The requirements for ventilation systems can vary depending on the type of building, utilisation and size. For example, there may be special air quality requirements in laboratories or production facilities that need to be met by certain ventilation systems.

 

Important advantages of a good ventilation system

Decentralised ventilation systems offer a variety of benefits that help to improve indoor air quality and comfort. A key benefit is the individual control they allow occupants. Each unit can be controlled individually, allowing users to adjust the air circulation and temperature in their respective rooms according to their individual needs. This contributes to a more pleasant indoor climate overall.

Protecting the building fabric is an important benefit of a good ventilation system. Effective air circulation and humidity regulation can prevent moisture damage that could affect the building fabric in the long term.

The flexibility and modularity of decentralised ventilation systems allow them to be adapted to different room sizes and requirements. As a result, they can be seamlessly integrated into different living and working environments.

Ventilation systems help to reduce CO2 emissions and have a positive impact on the environment. The use of sustainable materials and manufacturing processes emphasises the environmental friendliness of ventilation systems and their contribution to sustainability.

In addition, decentralised ventilation systems are more energy efficient as they are only operated in the rooms where they are needed. Compared to centralised ventilation systems that serve the entire building, decentralised ventilation systems can help to optimise energy consumption and thus reduce costs.

Another important advantage of these systems is that they often require simpler installation. Compared to centralised systems, the installation of decentralised ventilation systems requires less extensive construction work and duct laying. This can also install time and cost savings during the construction process.

Regular maintenance of ventilation systems is crucial to maintain their functionality and efficiency. Clear maintenance intervals and effort can ensure that the systems work reliably.

In addition, decentralised ventilation systems can help to reduce the transfer of air pollutants between rooms, as the air in the rooms is treated locally. This contributes to healthier indoor air overall and can help to improve the well-being of the occupants.

A ventilation system is an indispensable component of modern buildings, ensuring a healthy and pleasant indoor climate. Thanks to their efficient function and many advantages, they offer individualised control of the room air, energy savings and reduced air pollutant transfer. When purchasing a ventilation system, it is worth paying attention to quality, energy efficiency and fulfilment of legal requirements. With a well-planned and installed ventilation system, you can create a pleasant and healthy indoor climate for you and your customers that significantly increases comfort and quality of life in the building.

Are you ready to take the next step? We would be delighted to hear from you! Whether you have questions, need more information or simply want to share your thoughts with us, don't hesitate to contact us. Email us at info(at)ventomaxx.de or call us on +49 (0) 871 - 95 34 06 - 0. Our team is here for you and will support you every step of the way.