A fresh air valve is crucial when it comes to distributing and improving the airflow in your home. By investing in one, everyone in your household will breathe fresher air, while at the same time reducing carbon dioxide levels in your home by increasing the amount of supply air.
To help you gain a better understanding of when you might need to invest in a fresh air valve, in this comprehensive guide we will focus on explaining everything you need to know about the subject in question and then some!
How do you know you have adequate ventilation?
As a layperson, it can be difficult to determine whether your home has adequate ventilation. However, there are a number of signs that your ventilation needs to be reviewed. Some of the most common include, but are not limited to, the following:
● Dampness and mold : If you fail to ventilate the moisture, mold will appear like a letter in the mail. This is especially true in areas such as bathrooms and kitchens, areas that are traditionally often exposed to moisture. It is incredibly dangerous to think that if the ventilation on the lower floors is not working, mold will take hold in the attic.
● Poor air quality : Enclosed spaces, such as bedrooms, that lack or often have poor ventilation can generate high levels of carbon dioxide for a short time. This can lead to physical symptoms such as fatigue and headaches, even if you sleep well.
● Condensation : It is also common for condensation to form on the inside of your windows if you have insufficient ventilation in your home. Note, if condensation only forms on the outside of your windows, you can sit comfortably in the boat.
To ensure your home has good ventilation, you can install fresh air vents like the Airmove 3.0 . This model has been designed with a feature that automatically adjusts the airflow depending on the outdoor temperature.
Improvements with fresh air vents
Before we continue with the guide, we will outline the most important improvements that a fresh air valve brings. The table below is based on data compiled from the Swedish National Board of Housing, Building and Planning and the Public Health Agency .
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Property |
Results |
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Saving energy |
Up to 15% reduction in heating costs |
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Recommended air exchange |
Should be 0.5 air changes per hour. |
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Carbon dioxide level for comfort |
The recommended values are below 1,000 ppm. |
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Cost of installation |
You pay SEK 1,000 - 2,500 per fresh air valve. |
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Lifespan of fresh air valve |
Expect a lifespan of 15 - 20 years depending on use. |
Can you sleep in a room without ventilation?
Sleeping in a room with poor ventilation can negatively affect your health in a number of ways. During the night hours, we exhale carbon dioxide, which requires good ventilation to keep carbon dioxide levels below the limit values. In other cases, it can lead to the following:
● Headache : Particularly noticeable upon awakening in the morning hours.
● Poor sleep . The quality of your sleep deteriorates as carbon dioxide levels increase.
● Fatigue . In addition to feeling tired, you will also have difficulty concentrating.
● Snoring. Some snoring problems can be traced to mucous membranes that are not properly moisturized, which is counteracted by fresh oxygen.
For a traditional bedroom, an automatically regulating Airmove 3.0 is a smooth and practical solution. With this you will not have to adjust the air flow manually, while the incoming air is directed up towards the ceiling where we almost always have a barrier of warm air that just stands still, this means that you often feel that there is fresher air and a more even temperature in the bedroom, while the valve is very easy to install on your own.
When should you close the valves in winter?
During the winter months, it can be extremely tempting to close the vents to help keep the heat in. However, this is not recommended as it can result in poor air quality.
Because the air is trapped, there will not be enough air exchange. This results in everyone in the household breathing polluted air. Another problem is increased humidity, which in turn creates better conditions for the formation of mold.
When should you have a Wall Valve?
Wall valves with a diameter of 100mm are usually installed on walls. The biggest advantage of
In order for the fresh air valve to be able to let in fresh air, it is necessary that there is already a functioning exhaust air system with natural draft, constant exhaust air or a fan. The latter is installed in the kitchen or bathroom.
In other words, a fresh air vent lacks the ability to force air into the home on its own without a functioning exhaust air system with natural draft. How much air a fresh air vent is able to let in depends primarily on how big it is.
This also includes the prevailing pressure conditions inside and outside, as well as the size of your supply air valve. The valves are best suited when installed in the following spaces:
● Small spaces : This includes, for example, home offices, storage rooms, etc.
● Older buildings : Where there is a lack of opportunities for large ventilation solutions.
● Rooms without vents : Where they contribute to improved air exchange without major interventions.
For larger rooms or spaces, the Airmove 3.0 Main Fresh Air Vent is the ideal choice. This model has the capacity to handle larger airflows, while also ensuring balanced ventilation.
Advantages and disadvantages of fresh air valves
Although a fresh air valve has many more positive aspects, it is also important to know its disadvantages. Below we have summarized a table with the most common advantages and disadvantages that you need to know:
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Benefits ● Improves indoor air quality.
● Prevents the formation of moisture and mold.
● Energy-saving and cost-effective alternative.
● Easy to install and configure on your own.
● Airflow adjustment is controlled automatically.
● Airmove 3.0 Fresh air valve directs incoming air upwards.
● Airmove 3.0 has overpressure protection that prevents cross drafts when ventilating. |
Disadvantages ● Can cause drafts in cold spaces.
● Requires regular maintenance and cleaning.
● Reduced effect of heat distribution during winter.
● One supply air valve per 25 square meters of living space. |
Do you have to have ventilation in every room?
It is recommended to ventilate all rooms in your home. In addition to ensuring healthy air quality, you will also avoid having to deal with problems such as high humidity and mold. This is especially important for spaces such as:
● Bedroom : Crucial to prevent the occurrence of high carbon dioxide levels during the night.
● Living room : Traditionally a gathering point in many households where we spend countless hours.
If your home lacks ventilation in certain rooms, fresh air vents are a simple solution. Products from Airmove, such as our manual and automatic vents, are both effective and easy to install.
Closing words
To achieve a healthy and energy-efficient home, fresh air vents are an ideal choice. By installing one of the vents from Airmove, you can improve air quality, reduce the risk of moisture-related problems and ensure even air exchange throughout the home.
Please visit our website to find the best solution for your home and create a healthier indoor climate! We can also assist with a free consultation without any obligations!
How often should you clean the fresh air vents?
On a general level, you should aim to clean your fresh air vents around 1-2 times a year. This ensures that the ventilation ducts are not clogged with dirt and other particles, which also results in a stable airflow.
Do you need to have more than one fresh air vent?
This mainly depends on the size of your home. A rule of thumb is to install one fresh air vent per 25 m2 of living space. Otherwise, you risk that the fresh air vent will not be able to generate enough airflow, resulting in you breathing polluted air.
Where should you place the fresh air vents?
You should aim to place the fresh air vents approximately 220 cm from the floor and at least 0.5 meters laterally from the nearest heat source. You also need to remember that air often takes the shortest path. Therefore, you should mount the fresh air vent as far away from a door as possible.
