How to choose the best ventilation system design for your home

All ventilation systems are aimed at renewing the indoor air, gradually replacing the contaminated air inside homes with clean air from the outside. As construction systems have evolved along with facades and thermal insulation, new ventilation systems have emerged to provide quality air. The design of the ventilation system is very important when it comes to improving the health of the indoor environment and the energy efficiency of a home.

Ventilation can be done naturally through the wind or thermal movements of the air, or mechanically using fans. Natural ventilation systems are common in old homes, where air was supplied through poorly sealed doors and windows. In modern homes, it is no longer used due to discomfort and high energy consumption in heating. This is why it is no longer included as a ventilation system in the most recent regulations, and why various possibilities for the design of ventilation systems have been developed, as discussed below.

Design of ventilation systems for your home

Ventilation system with mechanical intake and natural extraction

In this type of system, one or more fans are used to perform the air admission which occurs through ducts, while the extraction happens naturally through grills located in the wet areas of the home. It is a system that has several advantages, among them, the air admission can be easily controlled. It also allows filtering the outside air and prevents noise from entering from the street. On the contrary, it requires periodic cleaning of the intake ducts and it is not possible to implement elements that promote energy savings.

Ventilation system with natural intake and mechanical extraction

In this system, the air admission from the outside of the home is done through adjustable grills naturally from the facade. The extraction of the contaminated air is done through an extractor connected via ducts to the wet areas: kitchens, toilets, and bathrooms. Through the ducts, this air is directed to the outside. Thanks to forced extraction, the flows necessary to renew the indoor air are guaranteed. The maintenance cost is very low, but it has other disadvantages: when the wind hits the facade, discomfort occurs due to excessive flow which increases energy consumption. This discomfort is more frequent in winter due to air currents produced by temperature variations.

Ventilation system with mechanical intake and mechanical extraction

In this system, both the admission and the extraction of air are done through duct networks that cover all rooms in the home and are installed within a false ceiling. Generally, air is extracted and introduced centrally, so the flows are equal and the system can operate in a balanced way. Ventilation is permanent in all rooms regardless of their occupation or the air quality. It is a system that offers good energy performance. Among its disadvantages, one should note the electrical consumption of the fans, as well as a mandatory cleaning of the duct system that must be performed periodically.