Healthy homes with a ventilation system

Ventilation systems are best suited to airtight buildings
An airtight building requires regular airing because the air will become unhealthy as it accumulates particles from the bathroom, furniture and cleaning fluids. For this reason you should air the house at least 3 times a day.

Newer homes are airtight
Many new homes are well insulated and very airtight. They need to be airtight to prevent the heat disappearing into the open air through the gaps.

Danish building regulations lay down requirements for the number of air changes in new buildings; this is why new buildings are most often constructed with combined heat recovery and ventilation systems that ensure air changes. The regulations also lay down requirements for both the electricity consumption of ventilation systems and the efficiency of the heat recovery to ensure the energy efficient ventilation of the home.

Ventilation systems can also be installed in older, airtight houses. So, if you are in the process of renovating your house then you could consider a ventilation system.

4 advantages of a ventilation system and heat recovery

1. Heat recovery. You can obtain a ventilation system that recovers up to 90% of the heat by transferring the heat from the air ducted out to the air that is blown in.
2. No draught. A ventilation system sends fresh air into a home without creating a draught.
3. Healthy indoor climate. A ventilation system reduces damp, particles and allergens. You can also filter pollen and mould from the air that is trapped in the house. 
4. Healthy home. You avoid damp accumulating in your house and damaging the building.

Investment
A combined heat recovery and ventilation system requires an initial investment and uses electricity; but it saves heat, and a good system will generally save far more energy than it uses.

4 good tips when acquiring a ventilation system

1. Make sure that the building is as well sealed and insulated as possible so that all air changes are made by the ventilation system.
2. Install a ventilation system that recovers the most heat and uses the least possible amount of electricity.
3. Choose the most efficient ventilation system.
4. Follow the user instructions. For example, be aware that the filter in the system should generally be replaced once a year.

Technology of ventilation systems
A mechanical ventilation system blows fresh air into the rooms of a house through ducts and ventilation grills, and extracts the air from the room through separate air intakes. A mechanical system provides the best control and adjustment options as well as having the best potential for heat recovery. But this results in a slightly higher consumption of electricity.