Aerators: regulatory and essential elements in the ventilation system

The aerators are essential elements for the proper functioning of controlled mechanical ventilation systems. In this article, we explain their characteristics and availability in the current market.

Aerators in the Technical Building Code

According to the CTE DB HS3, Indoor air quality, an aerator is a “element installed in the intake openings to properly direct the airflow and prevent the entrance of water and insects or birds. It can be adjustable or of fixed opening and may have additional elements to achieve adequate acoustic attenuation.” The type and number of inlets will depend on the flow rates indicated in the basic document itself and can be installed in both the opaque part of the envelope and in the carpentry, whether in the shutter box or on the glazed part.

As emphasized by the CTE, homes must have a general ventilation system (hybrid or mechanical) so that air circulates from dry rooms (bedrooms, lounges, and dining rooms) to wet ones (kitchens, bathrooms, and laundries). Thus, in dry rooms there must be intake openings equipped with aerators or formed by fixed openings, and in wet rooms, extraction openings. This is to ensure the extraction of stale air and the supply of fresh, clean air free from impurities from the outside.

In case of opting for a hybrid ventilation system, the intake openings must be directly connected to the outside. In any case, aerators will be located at a height of no less than 1.80 m from the floor. The extraction openings will be connected to extraction ducts and will be no more than 20 cm from the ceiling. The distance from any corner must be at least 10 cm.

Types of air inlet

There are two types of air inlets available in the market: self-regulating air inlets and hygro-regulating air inlets.

Self-regulating air inlet

Designed to introduce new air into the main rooms of homes, they allow air renewal by establishing a constant flow, as they incorporate a regulator that maintains the nominal air flow regardless of its depression. They can be of two types: standard self-regulating air inlets or acoustic self-regulating ones. Their acoustic insulation level meets the requirements for noise protection.

Hygro-regulating air inlet

Also designed to introduce new air into the main rooms of the home, they allow air renewal by establishing a variable flow, depending on the detected humidity levels. They can be hygro-regulating and acoustic hygro-regulating. Like the previous ones, they have an acoustic insulation level that meets the CTE requirements.

There are many advantages to having hygro-regulating air inlets in our controlled mechanical ventilation system:

• Rooms are ventilated according to their need for air renewal. • Thanks to the regulation of the extracted air flows and the ventilation of the rooms where and when necessary, the system allows for a reduction in the overall ventilation flow. This translates into energy savings and, consequently, economic savings.