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Central and semi-central ventilation systems with heat recovery (“comfort ventilation”) still have enough potential for optimization regarding their energy balance (lowering heat demand vs. power efficiency), their economical application and their easy operation for users.

One key question is the cost effectiveness usage for big residential buildings which is accepted within experts but not within housing associations and private property owners. There are still a lot of not installed ventilation systems because of the cost argument or the missing awareness for their necessity in residential buildings.

Although a lot of work was done: Single components and ventilation devices exist, different systems and control variations are available on the market. The “comfort ventilation” is established and if well installed it delivers satisfying operation concerning indoor air quality and energy efficiency. Now after the first wave of applications and field operations it is time for optimization in terms of purification, increase of energy and resource efficiency, also for operation. Concepts and ventilation technologies should be simplified to lower faulty installations and still ensure high user’s comfort.

So in this project central and semi-central ventilation systems will be optimized, meaning equipped with simply distribution, installation, control and servicing, and will also be developed prefabricated components. The influence of central and semi-central ventilation systems with heat recovery on the energy balance of large-volume residential buildings with passive house standard (or similar) will be investigated, beside the assessment of optimized concepts by users and the differences to former results of users interviews.

Three different optimized systems for central and semicentral ventilation systems with heat recovery in large-volume residential buildings will be elaborated. Two of these different concepts will be implemented and tested in at least one (or more) big multifamily buildings. Technical innovations and optimizations like coaxial tubes for supply and exhaust airflow, prefabrication of pipe network and drywall installation, user friendly control and operation will be proved.

The result will be at least two well investigated central and semicentral ventilation systems with heat recovery as serviceable and economically viable concepts for “comfort ventilation” in large-volume residential buildings.