Ventilation in a House

Ventilation is one of the most frequently discussed issues during home construction, yet it often remains unanswered for both homeowners and contractors. The truth is, ventilation is a specialized field, and only a few professionals have practical knowledge of standards for laying engineering networks and utilities in private homes.

Which ventilation system should you choose? Is it even necessary? How to install it? How to commission it, and so on? There are countless questions, but few answers. Let’s explore the topic of home ventilation in more detail below.

Ventilation – a Key Component of Indoor Climate Control

Ventilation, together with heating and air conditioning, forms part of the home’s life support systems, designed to create a comfortable indoor environment. The goal of all three systems is to maintain the following ideal indoor climate conditions:

• Summer: temperature 22…24 °C, humidity not exceeding 60%;
• Winter: temperature 20…22 °C, humidity not exceeding 45%.

These values are optimal for most people. Achieving them reliably is only possible when all three systems operate precisely in harmony. The role of ventilation here is critical—it controls air exchange between indoor spaces and the outside environment.

The core function of a ventilation system is not just to bring fresh air indoors, but to deliver it at a controlled temperature while also maintaining harmful substance concentrations within safe limits (PDK standards).

Considering how much formaldehyde and phenol are continuously released from furniture made of particleboard, laminate flooring, and other interior elements, the importance of proper ventilation cannot be overstated. An average adult exhales approximately 15 m³ of carbon dioxide per hour. Without effective removal, this gas would quickly become lethal. National Russian standards, as well as European regulations, define required fresh air intake volumes for residential spaces.

Components of a Ventilation System

Until now, most homes, including high-end ones, still rely on natural ventilation based on basic physical principles—particularly pressure differentials driven by temperature differences. Unfortunately, modern building materials are nearly impermeable to moisture, acting as vapor barriers. While ventilation may be possible in warm seasons, in winter occupants are left with stagnant indoor air...

A mechanical ventilation system typically consists of several key components:

• Air treatment;
• Control automation;
• Peripheral equipment (air intake, transport, and distribution throughout rooms);
• Recirculation.

To reduce energy consumption—mechanical ventilation systems consume about 55% of the total energy used by all building utilities—these systems can be equipped with a heat recovery unit (or recuperator). This component uses the temperature of exhaust air to preheat incoming fresh air.

Recuperators are compact and can be installed even in small private homes as an integrated part of a standalone mechanical ventilation system.