TURNKEY VENTILATION

​APPROACH № 1. AIR QUALITY CALCULATION

Turnkey home ventilation is a service, where we are constantly working to improve.

​Therefore we recommend to you the principle of the organization of system of ventilation - according to calculations on level of carbon dioxide (CO2), on the basis of VAV system (with valves of variable air supply).

What is special about this approach?

The performance of the ventilation system is based on the indicators of the level of carbon dioxide in each room. It is monitored using CO2 sensors, which we place in key rooms (bedroom, children's room, living room).

In addition to the sensors, the ventilation unit is equipped with variable air supply valves (VAV valves). They are also installed in each room at the rate of 1 valve on 1 air duct. Focusing on CO2, the valves open when it rises (it is known that the level of carbon dioxide rises where people are) and close when the air quality returns to normal. The norm is considered to be 500-600 ppm, this value you can always set yourself when setting up the vent.

Implementing the CO2 level approach, in the calculation we get at least 60 m3 / h of air per person, since it becomes possible to limit ourselves to a smaller supply where there are no people, and at the same time supply large volumes of air to those rooms where the supply is really needed.

Of course, there may be situations when air quality deteriorates in several rooms simultaneously - for example, guests have come to your place. Then the ventilation unit reduces the air supply in other zones (using VAV valves) and directs the main volume to the "problematic" rooms. If this is not enough, it starts to increase productivity step by step.

   When the indicators return to normal, the power of the installation decreases again. On average, it is 120-170 m3/h, since most of the time it works in automatic mode at minimum speed.

We would like to note that when implementing the classical approach (No. 2), the capacity of the ventilation unit always remains within the range of 250-350 m3/h, which is less economical in terms of energy consumption and less comfortable in terms of the volume of supplied air (60 m3/h per person against 36 m3/h).

Therefore, we recommend to our clients the air quality approach - as effective. Of course, due to the use of additional equipment (VAV valves, CO2 sensors) and more complex implementation, the system will cost a little more.

   However, comparing the efficiency and cost of some solutions, we found an option that fully satisfies us and our customers in terms of price, functionality and quality.

We are talking about Jablotron Futura air handling units. Their indisputable advantage is the ability to implement a variable air supply system on "native" Jablotron equipment in a completely automatic mode. This is no longer offered by any manufacturer.

Additional Jablotron options:

• VAV valves VarioBreeze;
• BoostButton programmer for enhanced air extraction from dirty areas;
• ModBus control protocol;
• cooling module CoolBreeze, which cools (or warms up - depending on the season) supply air;
• stove hood Faber with Jablotron automation;
• CO2 controllers and sensors.

We figured out the peculiarities of air flow into clean zones. Now let's talk about dirty areas. In order to explain everything in details, for instance, we continue to take Jablotron ventilation systems.

HOW IS AIR RECEIVED FROM DIRTY AREAS?

Air from dirty areas is removed by means of VAV-valves programmed for extraction. At the same time, the inflow and exhaust of air are carried out in a balanced way:  the same amount m3 / h we supply to the clean zones, we remove it from the dirty ones.

For enhanced exhaust from toilets and bathrooms, a BoostButton chip is used, which is integrated into the light switch. When it is activated, air from the problem area is extracted more intensively (for example, in a normal situation we remove from 50 m3/h from 2 bathrooms and a bathroom, and when you take a bath, you activate BoostButton and 100 m3 / h is removed from this zone, and in 2 bathrooms, the hood will be carried out in a volume of 25 m3/h. The total volume remains the same - 150 m3/h).

The activation period for the enhanced hood can be set independently. At its end, the rate of air removal decreases to the previous values.
This gives us another advantage of the approach - it is no longer necessary to use exhaust fans. At the same time, air removal occurs constantly, and if necessary, it is intensified, definitely more efficient and more rational than with the classical method of exhausting from dirty areas.

How does the air get out of the kitchen?

Jablotron Futura air handling units also have the ability to remove air above the hob effectively.

When you turn on the hood in the kitchen, the pressure switch is triggered, which transmits a command to the BoostButton chip and the unit raises its capacity to 350 m3/h, even if it had previously operated at minimum speed.

At the same time, air removal is minimized as much as possible in all dirty areas and is emphasized only above the hob.
Today we can offer an even more efficient and stylish solution - a Faber air extractor integrated into the ventilation system with Jablotron automation.

Such a hood allows you to take in polluted air and transfer heat and moisture to the recuperator, instead of removing them outside through the ventilation duct. Accordingly, we do not waste resources by using the heat and moisture of the air removed from the kitchen to heat the supply air.

This solution does not require the construction of a separate ventilation duct for the discharge of dirty air.

APPROACH № 2. CALCULATION BASED ON THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE

The approach, which is considered, provides 2 methods of calculation of an air exchange for the house or the apartment:

•  based on the multiplicity of air exchange - according to the norms of DBN need 0.6-fold supply of air in the room (at 1:00 changes 60% of the total volume of air)
• according to the number of people living - according to the same norms per person should have an average of 25 m3/h of air, when organizing ventilation of increased comfort - 36 m3/h per person, always more than 0.6 times.

An example of such a calculation

Focusing on building codes and personal comfort of residents, with this approach it is advisable to supply air in a volume of 36 m3/h per person. If there are 4 people living in the house (2 adults and 2 children), then, for example, in the bedroom, where there are 2 adults, 72 m3/h of air will be supplied, and in the living room, where the whole family spends time - 144 m3/h x 4).

This is a quite popular solution for an apartment or house with an area of 100-150 m2.

But it has its essential flaws.

If we measure the air quality in the rooms where people are (this is done with the help of CO2 sensors), we get a value equal to about 850 ppm.​

Whereas in empty rooms the air quality will be about 450-500 ppm, equal to the street figures. That is, with the implementation of such an approach in empty rooms, the air will be better than where the residents are. But, above all - the ventilation system is neither productive nor economical, supplying fresh air to where there are no people.

We waste resources and at the same time do not improve air quality where it is really needed. Therefore, Alter Air specialists abandon this approach to ventilation of domestic premises.

If you have chosen the approach based on the number of people living, we recommend that you pay special attention to the selection of the ventilation system. Especially - for its performance, efficiency and the presence of an enthalpy recuperator. To help you with your choice, we have written a detailed expert material, where we compare some of the most popular ventilation systems. We encourage to read this article!

​APPROACH № 3 - decentralized system

For small apartments up to 70 m2, we offer a decentralized ventilation system based on Meltem supply and exhaust systems with heat recovery.

Decentralized ventilation is the forced supply and removal of indoor air by means of compact devices of relatively low performance.

As such devices, we have long used small Maico Push Pull supply and exhaust units. However, we encountered some disadvantages:

• noise characteristics - in the range of 23-40 dBA depending on the selected mode
• high cost - the price tag for the system - 110-120 thousand UAN including installation
• necessity to use exhaust fans in bathrooms
• maximum productivity - 42 m³/h, does not cover the needs of even 2 people
• recovery efficiency - within 83%, which is not always enough for the specified area.

Therefore, we have found a more advanced solution in the form of a compact Meltem supply and exhaust system with heat recovery.

Using it, we can supply air at a rate of about 25-36 m3/h per person (maximum productivity - 100 m3/h). This allows you to ensure sufficient air exchange in a small apartment or house where 3-4 people live.

For an apartment up to 50 m2, it will be enough to install 1 Meltem supply and exhaust device, optimally in the bedroom or living room area. It will supply fresh air to the key room and at the same time take the waste from the bath / bathroom.

​For housing up to 100m2, it is recommended to use 2 units: one is located in the living room-kitchen, and the second - in the bedroom. So we provide a sufficient amount of supply air and at the same time - a better extraction from the bathroom and toilet.​

The installation can be mounted on a wall or built in it, remaining almost invisible in an interior (only the front panel which at your request can be painted will be visible). The system can be implemented both at the construction stage and after repair.

Advantages of Meltem air defense:

• low noise level - up to 8.4 dB (A) 10 m2
• recovery efficiency - from 76% to 94% depending on the model
• air quality about 700-800 ppm
• high-quality filtration of supply air
• presence of decorative design covers and designer anemostats
• remote control.

The complete set includes:

• cross-flow heat exchanger
• CO2 sensor and humidity sensor - optional
• enthalpy heat exchanger with moisture recovery - optional
• anti-allergenic filter - optional
• VOC sensor for detection of harmful substances in the air - optional.

The cost of the solution varies between 75-80 thousand UAH depending on the object. When implementing additional options, the price may be higher.