Mechanical Ventilation to Improve on the Energy Certification Scale

Fortunately, environmental care is increasingly considered in the construction sector. Many measures are being taken to make homes more efficient. In the following lines, we want to show you how mechanical ventilation can be used to improve on the energy certification scale.

  • Why is mechanical ventilation important to improve on the energy certification scale?

Ventilation to guarantee indoor air quality is included in the Technical Building Code (CTE) in section 3 of the Basic Document of Health (DB HS) and is mandatory for the design of residential buildings, both inside homes and in garbage storage rooms, storage rooms, parking lots, and garages.

All homes must have a ventilation system, whether mechanical or hybrid. It can never be natural ventilation. Ventilation has two different purposes:

  • To eliminate humidity and CO2 from the home.
  • To eliminate volatile organic compounds and other pollutants present anywhere in the home.
It is important to note that good air quality is necessary to have a comfortable environment and also to prevent various diseases. In addition, it greatly prevents the appearance of mold indoors and the possible degradation of the construction materials used. As is evident, ventilation greatly influences the energy consumption of a home.

The fact that a home loses or gains heat influences the need for heating or cooling, respectively. The more heat is lost in winter, the more heating is needed. The more heat infiltrates in summer, the more cooling will be needed.

Of course, the more energy-efficient the home is, the better rating it will receive on the energy efficiency scale. Therefore, having a mechanical ventilation system is key to achieve that good rating.

  • What does a mechanical ventilation system consist of?

The mechanical ventilation consists of a machine that pushes clean air into the home and extracts stale air, expelling it outside, using two fans for each function. Additionally, both types of air cross inside the machine without mixing them, so that the outgoing stale air transfers heat to the incoming clean air. We call this process heat exchange. During the winter months, the stale warm air (extracted) will be used to temper the cold clean air pushed during the air renewal. In summer, it happens the other way around; the hot outdoor air gives off part of the heat to the cool air that exits, so the temperature of the incoming air will be lower.

In addition, it also filters the air coming from outside, resulting in less dust inside the home. Not to forget that it regulates humidity. For all of the above, a more comfortable indoor air quality is achieved.

For example, a mechanical ventilation system can transform the 13 degrees of outside air that crosses with the air exiting from the interior into about 21 degrees, making the air that enters the home at 20 degrees. This action would cause a consumption of around 17 W. No heating has been used to convert the 13 degrees from outside to 21 inside. This exchange process will only represent a few euros a month, depending on energy prices at that moment, but it surely won't reach even 5 euros. While using another type of heating would have raised that figure to at least over 50 euros.

In addition, it is an eco-friendly system and therefore cares for the environment, undoubtedly, a factor that must be considered when carrying out any type of construction.

Do you clearly see how mechanical ventilation can be used to increase the energy certification scale? If you still have doubts, contact our team of experts, and we will help you.

Siber Ventilation

Manufacturer of High Energy Efficiency Ventilation Systems. Siber provides a set of high energy efficiency solutions in wind and mechanically intelligent ventilation, improving the Health, Hygiene, and Comfort of people, being respectful of the environment.

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