Ventilating

• What is important in ventilation?

  • Use the highest ventilation setting when cooking, showering or receiving visitors.
  • Never turn the ventilation off completely, except in an emergency.
  • Leave a gap of at least 1.5 cm under internal doors to allow for air circulation and ventilation. Take this into account when laying floor coverings.
  • Have the ventilation box or heat exchanger and air ducts cleaned regularly.
  • Keep internal door and/or window vents open and clean.

  Do you like to ventilate your home? Then keep the following points in mind: 

  • Open windows and doors against each other for at least 15 minutes.
  • Is the heating on? Turn it down as low as possible or off completely (if possible) while airing.
  • With any ventilation system, it is not recommended to leave windows open for long periods in winter. The house will cools down unnecessarily and energy will be wasted.

  Tip: also ventilate during or immediately after special activities, such as painting or a party. This is the quickest way to remove humidity, dust and harmful substances such as solvents.

• How to use my ventilation system while showering

  Showering releases more moisture than taking a bath. Always ventilate at the highest setting during the shower and preferably for half an hour afterwards. Is there a window? Keep it open. Even if it is cold outside. 

  After a shower, wipe the bathroom tiles with a mop or dry cloth. This will quickly save several litres of moisture in the house.

• What to do in case of emergencies?

  In an emergency involving the release of hazardous substances, anything that provides ventilation should be shut off immediately. Think, for example, of extractor hoods and wall, window and toilet vents.

  Do you have a CHP system? If so, switch it off by unplugging it or switching off the electrical group to which it is connected. This will stop the fans and prevent harmful substances from being drawn into the house.

• Can I close the window grilles in the winter because of the cold?

  Unfortunately, it is very unwise to close window vents, even in winter. With a mechanical ventilation system, you extract polluted air through the valves in the bathroom, toilet and kitchen. The window louvres are used to supply fresh air. If the window grilles are closed or inoperative due to internal pollution, no fresh air can enter.

  Turning the fan to its highest setting creates a vacuum in the house. This causes the fan to suck in air from cracks and holes, usually through the crawl space and electrical outlets. It is highly undesirable - and even unhealthy - to ventilate your home with this air.

• Draughts in your home?

  Do you have draughts in your home? You may be tempted to close the vents and grilles, but this is not a good solution. Closing the grilles prevents the ventilation system from working properly and can create an unhealthy indoor climate. It is better to tackle the cause of the draught.

  Possible causes and solutions:

  • The ventilation system is not properly balanced. This can lead to too much air being exhausted, creating a negative pressure in the house and causing draughts through cracks and seams.
    
    • Solution: Contact a professional technician to balance the system. They can ensure that enough air is being extracted and supplied to prevent draughts.
  • The grilles and valves are blocked or dirty. This can result in insufficient air being exhausted, creating overpressure and draughts.
    
    • Solution: Clean the grilles and ensure that sufficient air can pass through them. If the grilles are very dirty, consider replacing them. Note: If the original settings are changed, the ventilation system may become unbalanced.
  • The temperature in the house is unevenly distributed. This can cause air currents that are perceived as draughts.
    
    • Solution: Check that the radiators are working properly and that there is enough air coming out of the grilles. Ensure that there is no furniture in front of the grilles that could obstruct the airflow and move the grilles to a higher position, preferably above the radiators.

  If you have followed these steps and are still experiencing draughts in your home, it may be advisable to consult a professional to diagnose and rectify the problem. Have your ventilation system checked and maintained. A properly functioning ventilation system can help reduce draught problems.