Cleaning a decentralized ventilation system
A decentralized ventilation system continuously ensures the right room climate. Regular cleaning and care are required to ensure the full functionality of the system over the long term. Find out why cleaning the ventilation system is important and how to do it correctly in just a few minutes.
Consequences of a dirty decentralized ventilation system
If the ventilation system is not cleaned regularly, it may no longer be fully functional. As a result, various problems can arise, which affect both health and well-being as well as the building fabric. Dirty filters, fans or other system components lead to a reduction in the air volume flow, also known as the air throughput. The lower air throughput of the decentralized ventilation system can lead to a number of consequences that reinforce each other.
The first consequence of the low air volume flow is the inadequate removal of the used air, which increases the CO2 content in the room air. In addition to the CO2 concentration, the inadequate exchange of air also increases the humidity. The dehumidification of the interior is one of the most important tasks of the ventilation system in order to minimize the risk of condensation forming on cold components.
Components should generally be prevented from getting damp, so it should be ensured, especially in winter, that the interior temperature is reduced to a maximum of four degrees Celsius. With the increased humidity, hygienic problems can also arise. Moisturized components of a decentralized ventilation system provide a breeding ground for fly spores and mold and can thus contribute to the development of mold.
In addition to CO2 and humidity, pollutants can no longer be optimally removed due to the lack of air exchange in a dirty ventilation system. Air that is permanently enriched with pollutants also endangers health and can lead to headaches, malaise and coughing. A ventilation system that is cleaned regularly prevents the room air from being enriched with pollutants and continuously ensures clean air. Furthermore, there is the possibility that the inherent sound can be perceived as unnecessarily increased due to a dirty ventilation device. A clean, decentralized ventilation system ensures an optimal room climate and protects the residents from pollutants and their health effects.
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Six steps to cleaning a decentralized ventilation system from inVENTer
Clean controlled living space ventilation
A decentralized ventilation system can be cleaned independently in just a few steps.
Step 1: Inner panel cover
To begin cleaning your ventilation system, remove the cover of the interior panel and wipe it down with a damp cloth. A cloth dampened with plain water is sufficient for cleaning. Avoid using abrasive or acidic cleaning agents, as these could scratch the delicate, high-quality surface.
Recommendation: Clean the interior panel monthly.
Step 2: Cleaning the filter
To clean the ventilation system’s filter, it must be removed from the base plate. A distinction is made between dust, fine, pollen, and activated carbon filters. The dust filter is washable and can be reused multiple times. Fine filters, pollen filters, and activated carbon filters are disposable; they can be easily discarded with household waste and replaced with new ones.
Recommendation:
- Replace fine and pollen filters monthly
- Clean dust filter quarterly
- Replace activated carbon filter every six months
Step 3: Cleaning the heat storage unit
To clean the heat storage unit, it must be removed from the wall installation sleeve. To do this, the fan must be taken out of the insert. Before unplugging the fan, it is advisable to mark its orientation with a pen to prevent incorrect reconnection later. The heat storage unit can be cleaned under warm running water, by vacuuming, or using compressed air. The heat storage unit is not dishwasher-safe. The fan should only be cleaned dry; using a brush works best for this. If you have an inVENTron flow straightener, detach it from the fan before cleaning.
Recommendation:
- Clean the heat storage unit every six months.
- Clean the flow straightener, fan, and fan protective grille every six months.
Schritt 4+5: Reinigung Wandeinbauhülse und Reinigung Außenabschluss
Step 4: Wall sleeve
Once all components—such as the interior panel, filter, heat accumulator, and fan—have been removed, the wall sleeve can be easily wiped clean.
Recommendation: Clean the wall sleeve every six months.
Step 5: Cleaning the external terminal
External terminals come in different versions: the Flex weather hood, the Nordic, and the Corner. External terminals protect the ventilation system housed within the wall sleeve from various weather conditions.
Weather hood
To clean it, simply wipe down the cover and, if necessary, clean the protective grille located between the slats.
Corner external terminal
For this model, the reveal grille must be removed to clean the external terminal. The flat duct should be cleaned with a damp cloth.
Recommendation: Clean the external terminals annually.
Step 6: Assemble the components of the ventilation unit in reverse order.
Once the heat storage ceramic has dried completely after wet cleaning, it can be gently inserted into the wall sleeve. Next, reattach the airflow guide (if present) to the fan unit and slide the assembly into the wall sleeve until the heat storage unit rests against the sleeve’s stop. If the fan is equipped with a protective grille, ensure it faces the interior when inserting the unit. To put the fan back into operation, reconnect the plug; the alignment mark made during disassembly will help ensure correct positioning. If the marks on both parts of the connector align, the fan has been connected correctly. As the penultimate step, insert the filters, and finally, reattach the interior cover panel.
To ensure that future cleaning of the ventilation units remains easy, make sure during installation that the handles on the individual components face the interior. This ensures they remain easily accessible for subsequent disassembly.
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Cleaning costsa decentralized ventilation system
In contrast to central ventilation systems, cleaning controlled living space ventilation can be carried out at any time and without a specialist company. The user should only bear the acquisition costs for fine, pollen and activated carbon filters.
No special cleaning agents are required. A cloth, brush and warm water are sufficient for cleaning. All components of the ventilation device are easily accessible and therefore easy for the user to clean himself.
In addition, a decentralized ventilation system does not require any pipes in the wall, which would be difficult to access and therefore difficult to clean. Cleaning a controlled ventilation system is not only inexpensive, but also easy to use for everyone.
ConclusionCleaning and maintenance
With full functionality, a decentralized ventilation system can increase the well-being in your own four walls by always ensuring a pleasant room climate and a low concentration of pollutants and pollen. However, regular cleaning and maintenance of the ventilation equipment is necessary. The decentralized ventilation system has a significant advantage over centralized ventilation systems in terms of handling and the cost of cleaning. It can be cleaned and serviced by yourself in a few simple steps and its functionality is retained.