DIY forced ventilation. How to calculate everything and do the installation?

For any home, creating a cozy and healthful living space is crucial. Proper ventilation is essential to accomplishing this because it makes sure that fresh air circulates throughout the house, eliminating pollutants and stale air. Even though natural ventilation has its benefits, particularly in well-insulated homes, it is occasionally insufficient. Here’s where forced ventilation enters the picture, offering a more effective and regulated method of controlling air flow.

Although installing a forced ventilation system yourself may seem like a difficult undertaking, it is completely doable with the correct assistance. Planning, figuring out the required air exchange rates, choosing the appropriate equipment, and carefully carrying out the installation are all steps in the process. By following these recommendations, you can enhance not only the quality of the air in your home but also your general health and comfort.

It’s crucial to comprehend the fundamentals of forced ventilation before beginning the project. This includes figuring out the right kind of ventilation system for your needs and knowing how to compute the air volume needed for your space. You can greatly improve the air quality in your home with simple instructions and a little perseverance.

This article will walk you through the installation of a forced ventilation system that you can do yourself. We’ll go over everything, from the preliminary calculations to the last installation procedures, to make sure you have all the knowledge required to finish the project effectively. Regardless of your level of experience, this guide will assist you in making your home healthier for you and your family.

Step Description
1. Calculate Airflow Needs Determine the volume of each room and decide on the number of air changes per hour (ACH). Multiply room volume by ACH to find the required airflow in cubic meters per hour (m³/h).
2. Select Ventilation Unit Choose a ventilation unit that matches or exceeds your calculated airflow needs. Consider features like energy efficiency, noise levels, and additional functionalities.
3. Plan Ductwork Layout Design the ductwork to ensure efficient airflow. Plan routes from the ventilation unit to each room, minimizing bends and obstructions.
4. Install Ductwork Mount the ductwork according to your layout. Ensure connections are secure and sealed to prevent leaks. Use flexible ducts for complicated routes if needed.
5. Install Ventilation Unit Position the unit in a suitable location, often in an attic or utility room. Ensure it"s accessible for maintenance and has proper drainage if needed.
6. Connect Electrical Supply Wire the ventilation unit to your home"s electrical system. Follow manufacturer instructions and consider hiring a licensed electrician for safety.
7. Test the System Turn on the ventilation system and check airflow at each vent. Adjust settings as needed to ensure even distribution and proper functioning.
8. Regular Maintenance Clean or replace filters regularly and inspect ductwork for damage. Schedule professional maintenance if required.

Maintaining fresh air in your home can be made much easier with a DIY forced ventilation system. This guide will assist you in determining the amount of ventilation your space needs to maintain the best possible air quality and energy efficiency. You’ll discover how to install a forced ventilation system step-by-step, from choosing the appropriate tools to finishing the setup. You won’t need expert assistance to enhance your indoor environment if you follow the simple instructions and useful advice.

What it is?

Forced ventilation is the supply of air into a room through mechanisms. It occurs in the direction of air movement:

  1. Supply air – the air supplied by the fan creates increased pressure. Exhaust air exits through centralized ventilation ducts.
  2. Exhaust – air flow enters through vents or air intake devices. Ventilation ducts in the kitchen, toilet, bathroom are equipped with exhaust fans (how to make ventilation in the kitchen, toilet and bathroom?).
  3. Supply and exhaust – when air supply and exhaust are provided mechanically. Used when the first two types do not cope with the task. This type is the most effective.

Certain devices have air ducts, but sometimes they don’t, depending on the air supply method.

Why are such systems needed??

Systems of ventilation are required for the exchange of air between various rooms. Carbon dioxide, which is harmful to health when in high concentrations, is created from the air we breathe. Motives behind installing forced air ventilation

  1. Air does not enter the room or, conversely, does not leave it.
  2. The air is not purified.

When natural ventilation is inadequate or nonexistent, additional equipment must be installed.

Scheme

In order to establish a comfortable living environment, one chooses a forced ventilation system, which comes in various forms:

  1. Supply with a cooling function, which is mounted complete with the air conditioner. Disadvantages – high price, need for constant maintenance.
  2. Forced with air heating, includes a recuperator (find out how to make ventilation heating here).
  3. Combined, combining both ventilation schemes. Easy to install, low maintenance.
  4. Recirculation system – a design, the installation of which requires knowledge and complex devices that mix the outgoing flows of exhaust air with the outside atmosphere and return them back to the house.

Provide ventilation that has the ability to cool:

Forced air heating and ventilation:

An air-recirculation system:

Please take note that even with insulation, a large unit for the house’s general ventilation should be placed away from living rooms as it will still produce noise.

The primary guideline for selecting a ventilation plan is that air flows from living areas (living room, bedroom) to non-residential spaces (kitchen, bathroom). It is not worth sacrificing design quality because well-installed ventilation keeps dust from building up, inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungus in the space, and creates a healthy microclimate that benefits the occupants’ health.

Design features

The simultaneous connection of multiple components is one of the forced ventilation design features. Each of them carries out distinct tasks:

  • Ventilation ducts (air ducts) – pipes through which air masses circulate;
  • Fans – organize air supply to ventilation ducts.
  • Air intake grilles – mounted on the outside of air ducts, protecting them from the penetration of dirt, unwanted insects and rodents.
  • Filters – clean the air of contaminants, and especially thin ones prevent even the ingress of pollen.
  • Sound absorbers – absorb noise from the mechanisms themselves and aerodynamic noise in ventilation ducts.
  • Air valves – regulate the air flow supplied from outside, protect the structure in cold weather.
  • Heaters – used to heat supply air in winter.
  • Automatic block – the element is optional, but its presence allows you to control the system without human intervention. You need to set the necessary settings. Otherwise, you will have to turn on and adjust the fans manually.

How to install ventilation devices?

The first step in installing ventilation devices is creating a work project.

Different sized and purpose-driven buildings have different equipment. They will have a different forced ventilation installation.

In the apartment

Apartments that are no larger than 100 square meters can implement this plan. Fans are installed in the restroom, kitchen, and bathroom to keep out air that enters through the doors. Other spaces that require ventilation, like dressing rooms, occasionally have forced air installed.

In order to install the equipment on your own, you need to:

  1. Drill a through hole with a diameter of 7 cm in the wall (read about installing ventilation in walls here).
  2. Insert a piece of pipe into the finished hole, which should be equal to the thickness of the wall. Then fix it with cement mortar or foam.
  3. Install a filter or grille on the street side to protect against pollution.
  4. From the inside of the room, install the base on the pipe – a soundproofing gasket and the fan itself.

The fan needs to be connected to the network in order to operate. For convenience, you could install a manual switch and cover the wiring with plaster. An additional component of the apartment’s supply ventilation system is the supply opening. Although it is rarely present, the space between the door and the threshold allows for air exchange.

The door is fitted with a unique grille if this approach proves ineffective. Choosing a plastic product is a better option because of its long service life and good moisture resistance.

In a private house

It is difficult to create a work plan in a private home; you must be aware of where each installation component should go. A house with forced ventilation differs from one without because it has rooms for household purposes such as a boiler room, bathhouse, swimming pool, basement, etc.

Because every room has a unique humidity and temperature range, it is challenging to combine multiple rooms with one ventilation system. A house with an attic is a good idea because it allows you to conceal the ventilation system and build the structure there, keeping the other residents quiet.

Characteristics of the home’s supply ventilation system:

  • must be powerful enough to provide for the characteristics of different rooms;
  • the device must provide for seasonal temperature fluctuations – heat the house in winter, and cool in summer;
  • the installation must have an automatic or manual control system.

Hoods are also necessary for eliminating air. A maximum of two heating devices can have one installed. Here are some installation tips for hoods.

Plastic pipes should not be used in the boiler room or kitchen as they could start a house fire. Metal pipes or asbestos-cement are required.

In the garage

A lot of garage owners don’t think installing a ventilation system is essential. This is untrue:

  • mechanical air exchange will prevent the development of fungus, mold, ensure the removal of exhaust gases and other harmful substances;
  • will protect the car from corrosion caused by condensation;
  • will keep things and tools inside dry.

Saving money on garage ventilation is likely to result in unwarranted costs for car repairs, the purchase of new tools, and the restoration of items that were improperly stored.

See this article for DIY instructions on creating ventilation in the garage.

In the basement of the garage

Summertime temperatures are always noticeably warmer than those in the basement beneath the garage. You can install a fan to solve this issue. It is important to choose the location carefully. Because of this, installing it on the roof and in the cellar will not be feasible. To. Because of the high humidity in these areas, equipment will break down quickly. There are two ways to handle this situation:

  1. Installation of the structure on the inlet pipe – where air is taken in.
  2. Duct fan installation.

The following is the order of work:

  1. First, the inlet and exhaust pipes are installed. The first goes from the ground into the basement, the second – from the ceiling through the roof of the garage.
  2. A fan is mounted in the pipe, a cable is laid for its operation.
  3. Mount the switch in a convenient place.
  4. On the outside, the pipe is protected by a fine-grained grille, which prevents clogging and attack by insects, and a visor, which prevents moisture from entering.

In the cellar

Forced ventilation needs to be installed in the cellar if:

  1. The room has an area of ​​40 square meters or more. Installing fans will ensure the correct operation of supply and exhaust pipes, which are exposed to cold air during the winter months and become covered with frost.
  2. The basement will be equipped with residential rooms or non-residential premises with long-term stay of people: sports club, bathhouse, workshop, etc. d.
  3. If food is stored in the cellar, because they create an unpleasant odor. High humidity can cause them to spoil.

It is a good idea to periodically turn the cellar’s fans on and off to maintain a comfortable temperature. If the basement is going to be used for residential purposes, strong fans are required. Investing in split systems and air conditioners is preferable.

See this publication for additional information about installing ventilation in cellars.

In the bath

Ensuring high-quality ventilation in the bathhouse is imperative due to the high moisture content, which increases the risk of pathogenic bacteria formation. There are variations in the way ventilation equipment is installed in bath houses.

  • moisture resistance of the fan is the main requirement that is important when choosing a device;
  • the design must be powerful, have a productivity of at least 90 m 3 / h;
  • for a bathhouse it is better to use a fan with a check valve – it is more reliable than designs without it (how to make a check valve for ventilation?);
  • An automatic fan on/off system is desirable.

You now know how to install a forced ventilation system in your house on your own by following these instructions. This procedure raises overall comfort and energy efficiency in addition to improving air quality.

You can make sure that your system works properly by taking the time to calculate the required airflow and selecting the appropriate equipment. Don’t forget to take your home’s general layout and the unique requirements of each room into account.

Take control of the quality of your indoor environment and save money by installing the system yourself. It can be a rewarding project. You can attain expert results by paying close attention to details and organizing your work carefully.

Maintaining the proper operation of your forced ventilation system requires routine maintenance. Periodically check fans, ducts, and filters to make sure everything is clean and operating as it should.

In general, a well-installed do-it-yourself forced ventilation system can greatly enhance the air quality in your house, making it a healthier and cozier place for you and your family to live.

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Timur Kiselev

Professional builder with 15 years of experience. I know everything about the construction of houses, cottages, bathhouses and other buildings. I will be happy to share my knowledge and experience with you.

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