Services

How do I know that my ventilation system needs maintenance?

It is recommended that you have your ventilation system serviced regularly. Not sure when the last service was carried out? Look out for the following signs. If you recognise them, it is high time to have your ventilation system serviced:

There is a lot of dust in the house.
The unit makes an annoying noise.
There is high humidity in the house.
Food odours remain for a long time.
There is mould in the bathroom.
You experience burning eyes, coughing or allergies.

What can I do myself to maintain my ventilation system?

You can easily clean the valves yourself by soaking them in soapy water and brushing them. There is also a foam ring behind the valve. You can replace this over time.

Note: It is important to remember which position the valves are in when they are removed. This will determine how much air can flow through the valve. Make sure that the opening of the valve is the same when you replace it. If necessary, you can use a marker to make some marks on the inside (depending on the type of valve).

Do you have an MVHR unit? Then you can easily change the air filters yourself. On average, it is recommended to change the air filters at least twice a year.

Which maintenance service should I choose?

Maintenance helps maintain a healthy indoor environment, improves air quality, extends the life of the ventilation system, reduces energy bills and can help prevent noise pollution.

On average, a ventilation system needs to be serviced every 2 years and it is also recommended to have a complete service, including duct cleaning and possible disinfection of the air ducts, every 7-8 years.

Intovent offers various maintenance services, either in the form of a service subscription or a one-off maintenance service.

Subscription:

Intovent offers a maintenance subscription where you can choose to have your ducts cleaned during your first or second maintenance visit. Every 2 years we come to service the ventilation system. Do you have a breakdown/malfunction? With our subscription we do not charge a call-out fee.

One-off maintenance:

We offer a range of one-off maintenance services, which can be extended to include duct cleaning, so you can continue to enjoy a healthy indoor environment.

Basic: cleaning and inspection;
Extended: cleaning, inspection, measuring and calibrating*;
All-in: cleaning, inspeciton, measuring and calibration*, duct cleaning.

*Measuring and calibrating = the supply and return valves are carefully adjusted by the installer. Do not change these settings yourself. Doing so will cause the system to malfunction and may also cause additional noise and draughts.

Exceptions:

New construction: clean the ducts within 1 year due to the amount of dust in the construction environment;
Old unit: on average a unit lasts 15 years. Consider replacement in good time;
In case of malfunctions and complaints about the ventilation system, we would like to refer you directly to the installer (during the warranty period) or to the troubleshooting form on our website.

Benefits of ventilation system maintenance

1. Benefits of MVHR ventilation system maintenance

Regular maintenance and cleaning is good for the life of your MVHR unit. By removing dust, mould and debries, air quality is improved and energy bills are reduced. It is good to know that maintenance is more than just cleaning the unit. It is also important to check all the mechanical components of the ventilation system.

Probiotics:

Super-bacteria are a growing public health problem. They are resistant to antibiotics and disinfectants. What's more, they return in greater numbers after cleaning with chemicals. With probiotics, however, they can be effectively combated. In this way, they make an important contribution to the maintenance of MVHR units and help to maintain a healthy indoor environment. But maintenance is more than just cleaning the unit. It is also important to check all the mechanical components of the ventilation system.

2. Benefits of mechanical ventilation (MV) system maintenance

Regular maintenance and cleaning is good for the life of your mechanical ventilation system. By removing dust, mould and debries, air quality is improved and energy bills are reduced. It is good to know that maintenance is more than just cleaning the unit. It is also important to check all the mechanical components of the ventilation system.

Not sure if you have an MV or MVHR unit? Read our blog for more information: Choosing the right maintenance? Here's how to do it!

How often should an MVHR-unit be cleaned?

Twice a year: replace filters. Easy to do yourself.
- Optional: Use a refreshing spray to protect the MVHR filters against bacteria
Annually: Basic Maintenance
Every two years: Extended Maintenance
After 7 years: MVHR-ventilation duct cleaning

How often should a mechanical ventilation be cleaned?

Annually: Basic Maintenance (optional)
Every two years: Extended Maintenance
After 7 years: mechanical ventilation duct cleaning

Want to know more about this topic? You can read the article ’How often should you have a mechanical ventilation cleaned?’

Good to know when ordering an MVHR maintenance service

When you place an order, we will contact you within two working days. Based on your postcode, we will schedule a technician to carry out an expert ventilation service. The duration of the work depends on the type of service required. It is important to change the filters on your MVHR unit at least once every six months. If you order filters with a maintenance, they will be sent in advance.

Our services are suitable for standard homes (max. 12 valves). Do you have a ceiling higher than 3 metres, or any other special features? Then there is a chance that the ventilation maintenance cannot be carried out or is difficult. In this case, please contact us.

Please note: This service is not available for decentralised MVHR-units.

Good to know when ordering a mechanical ventilation maintenance service

When you place an order, we will contact you within two working days. Based on your postcode, we will schedule a technician to carry out an expert ventilation service. The duration of the work depends on the type of service required.

Our services are suitable for standard homes (max. 12 valves). Do you have a ceiling higher than 3 metres, or any other special features? Then there is a chance that the ventilation maintenance cannot be carried out or is difficult. In this case, please contact us.

What should I know about the maintenance subscription?

Do you have an MV or MVHR maintenance subscription with Intovent? Then we will schedule a maintenance visit. The service/maintenance subscription takes effect after Intovent has carried out an initial service and the unit has been accepted for the service/maintenance subscription. If the unit is accepted, we will immediately carry out the maintenance as part of the subscription. The technician will check whether the device can be serviced on the basis of:

Safety of installation and accessibility
Technical condition
No maintenance arrears

Intovent comes for a maintenance service every 2 years. Depending on the subscription you choose, the duct cleaning will take place on the 1st or 2nd visit. A subscription offers extra peace of mind and you will also be notified when it is time for your next service. Is your ventilation system not working properly? A malfunction results in reduced or even no ventilation. If you have a subscription with Intovent, there are no call-out charges in the event of a fault. Troubleshooting is not included and we will charge the hourly rate in effect at the time. Materials will be charged at the applicable rate.

You take out a maintenance subscription for a minimum of 24 months. After that you can cancel it on a monthly basis. Are you moving or do you want to stop the maintenance earlier? Contact us for options. Additional costs may apply.

Should I have my air ducts cleaned?

In a newly built house, there is often construction dirt in the ducts. We therefore recommend a first duct cleaning shortly after installation. On average, ducts should be cleaned every 7-8 years or so. The amount of dirt in the ducts depends on several factors, such as the number of people living in the house, whether there is a lot of cooking and whether there are pets in the house. If there is a lot of contamination, it may be wise to have the ducts cleaned sooner.

What should I consider when air ducts are cleaned?

During duct cleaning, the technician enters all rooms where there are valves. It is not necessary to cover the floor. The ducts are cleaned with rotating brushes and the dirt is immediately extracted with a special vacuum cleaner.

Why is measuring and calibrating important?

The Building Regulations require certain rooms to have a minimum ventilation capacity. For optimum performance and noise reduction, it is important that the valves are set correctly.

Adjustment is even more important for an MVHR system than for a mechanical ventilation system. With an MVHR system, it is very important that the system is balanced, i.e. that the same amount of air is being supplied as is being extracted. An imbalance can lead to draught problems, health problems and unnecessarily high energy bills. Calibration should always be carried out by a professional.

When should I have my ventilation system replaced?

A mechanical ventilation system has a service life of approximately 15 years. We recommend that it is replaced at the end of this period to ensure a properly functioning ventilation system. Want to get the most out of your ventilation system? Then make sure it is serviced on time. Have you noticed that the system is making more noise? Or are you experiencing condensation? Then it is wise to have your ventilation system checked by a professional.

Find out more in our blog.

I want to have my ventilation system replaced. Which ventilation solution is most suitable for my home?

The replacement of a ventilation system depends on the current ventilation system and the type of home. To find out which ventilation system is best for your home, we would be happy to put you in touch with one of our experts.

Choosing the right ventilation box: tips and considerations.

How long will it take to replace my ventilation system?

Replacing a mechanical ventilation system takes about 1 hour. Replacement combined with cleaning takes 1.5 to 2 hours. The replacement and adjustment of an MVHR system takes approximately 3 hours.

I have had my ventilation system replaced. Should I order a maintenance service right away?

Once your ventilation system has been replaced by our specialist technicians, the entire ductwork will be cleaned and the installation will be immediately ready for use. Therefore, it is not necessary to book a service immediately. However, please be aware of the importance of a well maintained system and unit. On average, a ventilation system requires servicing every 2 years, although this also depends on the brand and age of the system. A maintenance subscription with Intovent can take the burden off your shoulders.

I have ordered a service, when will I be scheduled?

When you place an order, we will contact you within five working days. Based on your postcode, we will schedule a technician to carry out an expert ventilation service. The duration of the visit will depend on the type of service required.

Due to busy periods, it may be several weeks before we are able to visit. But it will always be within three months. Intovent tries to schedule maintenance appointments in the most sustainable way possible. This means planning in neighbourhoods allowing technicians drive as few kilometres as possible. That's why it may take somewhat less or more time before it's your turn.

Do you have an Intovent subscription? Then we will come for a service every 2 years. There may not be exactly 24 months between services, this is due to sustainable scheduling.

Frequently asked questions