10 Common Ventilation Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Did you know that ventilation often doesn’t comply with legislation? And this doesn’t just apply to old ventilation systems, but also to new ones. Strange, you might think, but it isn’t really: in addition to an innovative ventilation system, professional installation and correct adjustment are at least as important to guarantee the quality of your ventilation.

We often encounter the following 10 mistakes in practice.

Mistake 1. The room is given a different function

A healthy indoor climate and as little heat loss as possible: these are the most important goals when installing an optimal ventilation system. But at the same time, heat consumption and moisture content are not the same in every room. That is why the adjustment of your ventilation depends on the function that each room fulfills. Suppose you have a storage room that you later want to convert into a bathroom, this would mean that your ventilation is no longer adapted to the new plans.

So, if you want ventilation, it will save you a lot of time and effort if you already know in advance what the long-term purpose of each room will be. And this ensures that each room meets the imposed ventilation standards.

Mistake 2. No silencers present

Ventilation systems make noise, so we offer you the right solution to dampen the noise as much as possible. This means you won’t be bothered by buzzing in the house, so the ventilation has no impact on the sound comfort in the house.

First and foremost, it is best to choose a ventilation system that produces as little noise as possible in itself. And then have adapted silencers installed that completely absorb the remaining noise. You then enjoy the silence – and so do your neighbors.

Mistake 3. Incorrectly adjusted air flow

Each ventilation unit has a certain capacity to supply and remove the amount of air in your home. And that is why each unit is equipped with valves that purify the entire interior space. How long this takes depends on the setting. That is why you need a ventilation unit that is geared to the total air flow in your home.

The ventilation unit only works optimally if it is set to the real air flow. Here is an example to illustrate:
If the ventilation system is set to 150m³/h, for example, while the total air volume is 250m³/h, there is more air present than the flow rate to which the valves are set.

As a result, the valves would have to exert more force than the capacity for which they are designed. And as a result, the unit would produce more drafts and noise and the ventilation system would wear out faster. So, a lot of disadvantages. With a correctly adjusted ventilation system, the installation also consumes less energy and you can enjoy a healthy indoor climate with the lowest possible CO2 values.

Mistake 4. Incorrect measurement of the total air volume

To measure is to know. And yet measurement errors occur more often than you think. To measure the total air volume, the measurement must be taken when the valves are open.

If the valves are completely closed during the measurement, there would be a ‘choked valve’ and the air resistance would be too high. It is therefore best to start the adjustment by first opening all the valves.

Mistake 5. Creased pipes

If you force a lot of air through the ventilation pipes, you reduce the air resistance by using smooth pipes. There is less air resistance in a smooth bend than in a creased pipe. The air then collides with the creases, which means that the ventilation system has to run harder. You can avoid this by having smooth pipes installed. For the same reason, it is also recommended to mount the silencers straight.

Mistake 6. Incorrectly adjusted to your heating system

Heating and ventilation belong together. You want your home to always be pleasantly warm and the air to remain healthy and pleasant at the same time. For example, a gas installation can only work safely if there is sufficient ventilation.

The removal of flue gases is therefore an essential part of your ventilation. So, if you want to replace your central heating boiler in the long term, the ventilation must be readjusted. The operation of the ventilation unit depends on the type of heating with which you heat the home and with what capacity your heating appliances are equipped.

Mistake 7. Wrong mix of ventilation systems

In some rooms there is more moisture than in others, or you need more heat. Think, for example, of the bathroom where steam quickly forms or when you are cooking in the kitchen. In the bathroom, for example, you can place a built-in fan and in the kitchen you install an extractor hood. There are of course many more solutions for removing polluted air. Our professional at Aquavent will come to your location and show you what options are available, based on any existing exhaust ducts.

Are you going to renovate, insulate your house or are you going to replace the windows or frames? Then you also have a choice of windows with built-in grilles in the frames or you may have space to have a ventilation unit installed. If you use an experienced and professional ventilation specialist, you will immediately know which solution is the most sustainable.

Mistake 8. Polluted ventilation ducts

A polluted ventilation system no longer works properly and does more harm than good. It leads to polluted substances circulating in your home and the air quality drops very sharply.

However, not every ventilation system requires the same maintenance. For example, a system with balanced ventilation often requires more intensive periodic maintenance. Therefore, make sure that you know how the ventilation will be maintained prior to installation.

Mistake 9. Closed grilles or windows

You preferably ensure a free supply of air if you always have the ventilation grilles open. Do you only have (tilting) windows? Then try to leave them ajar as often as possible. Or even better: for example, you provide grilles above the frame or in the outside wall of your bedroom, bathroom, office or kitchen.

In short: in places where you are often and where you need more ventilation than in other rooms. To ensure that there is sufficient air supply, you need at least one air grille. A diametrical arrangement of two grilles is often even better.

Mistake 10. No space under the doors

In a healthy house there is a free flow of air. And that is why it is necessary to leave at least 1.5 cm of space under the doors. So, for example, do not place a draft excluder on your door, because this will block the air. If there is no free flow under your door, you can solve this by placing a ventilation grille in your door or wall, for example.