Tips for Choosing the Right Vents for Your Home Energy Upgrade and Retrofit

When retrofitting a home for energy efficiency, it’s common to focus on insulation, airtightness, and heating upgrades. However, ventilation is a crucial aspect that deserves equal attention.

Good ventilation not only prevents issues like dampness and condensation but also ensures a steady supply of fresh air, which is essential in airtight homes for health and safety.

Good ventilation is extremely important to prevent health risks associated with mould, carbon monoxide and radon.

Here are some top tips to help you choose the best vents for your home energy upgrade.

The first step is to consider your home’s specific needs. Retrofitted homes often achieve a high level of airtightness, which reduces natural airflow. Without proper ventilation, your home could experience increased humidity, stale air, and even the build-up of indoor pollutants.

Assess each area’s unique requirements:

Kitchens and Bathrooms: These are moisture-heavy zones that require powerful ventilation to prevent condensation and mould.

Living Spaces: While lower in moisture, these spaces benefit from balanced, fresh air circulation to maintain indoor air quality.

Think about your priorities, whether it’s to reduce humidity, control odours, or improve air quality, and choose vents suited to each purpose.

Demand-Control Ventilation (DCV) systems provide a dynamic solution to home ventilation by adjusting airflow based on real-time needs. Using sensors to monitor indoor air quality metrics such as carbon dioxide levels, humidity, or occupancy, DCV systems adapt to provide ventilation only when required.

This approach is particularly beneficial for homes aiming to optimise energy usage while maintaining comfort and air quality.

Pros of DCV:

Energy Savings: Reduces energy waste by ventilating only when conditions demand it.

Improved Air Quality: Ensures optimal indoor conditions by responding to real-time environmental data.

Flexibility: Can be integrated with existing HVAC systems or installed as standalone units.

DCV systems are an excellent choice for energy-efficient retrofits, especially in spaces with variable occupancy, such as multi-purpose rooms. However, they may require a higher upfront investment in sensors and controls and rely on regular maintenance to ensure sensor accuracy and system efficiency.

If you’re looking for maximum efficiency, Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems are highly effective. MVHR systems draw stale air from the inside and bring in fresh outdoor air, all while transferring heat from the outgoing air to the incoming air.

This approach is ideal for energy-efficient retrofits, as it reduces heating loss and maintains good indoor air quality.

Pros of MVHR:

Energy-Efficient: Recover up to 90% of heat from outgoing air, reducing heating demands.

Improved Air Quality: Continuous ventilation prevents stale air and helps reduce allergens.

Balanced Humidity: MVHR systems control indoor humidity, lowering the risk of dampness.

An MVHR system is particularly useful if you’re aiming for a high degree of airtightness in your retrofit. However, they require a more significant initial investment and professional installation.

Extractor fans are an essential component of most ventilation systems, especially in kitchens, bathrooms, and utility rooms where moisture and odours accumulate quickly.

When choosing extractor fans, look for low-energy models with humidity or motion sensors. These models activate only when necessary, saving energy and preventing overuse.

Humidity Sensors: Ideal for bathrooms, these fans turn on automatically when moisture levels rise.

Motion Sensors: Great for areas with sporadic usage, such as guest bathrooms or utility rooms.

Energy Efficiency Ratings: Look for fans with high energy efficiency ratings to keep energy use to a minimum.

For retrofits where budget or installation constraints don’t allow for high-end ventilation systems, consider adjustable louvre vents. These vents can be opened or closed as needed, giving you control over airflow in individual rooms.

Though not as advanced as mechanical systems, they’re a cost-effective way to improve ventilation in low-demand areas.

Tips for Using Louvre Vents:

Install in Low-Moisture Areas: Adjustable vents work best in living rooms, hallways, or bedrooms where ventilation needs are minimal.

Regularly Adjust for Season: Keep vents partially open in winter to balance airtightness with air quality and open fully in warmer months for increased ventilation.

If you live in an area with higher radon levels, make sure your ventilation system accounts for this risk.

Radon is an invisible, radioactive gas that can enter homes through foundation cracks, and it’s more likely to accumulate in airtight homes.

If radon levels are high, consult a radon mitigation specialist who can recommend venting solutions like sub-floor depressurisation or radon exhaust vents, which work in tandem with your main ventilation system to keep radon at safe levels.

Since ventilation systems often run continuously, especially in airtight homes, look for low-noise models to avoid constant background noise. Many modern MVHR units and extractor fans are engineered for quiet operation, ensuring they don’t disrupt daily life. Check the decibel rating (dB) before purchasing; generally, a level below 30 dB is considered quiet.

Finally, remember that ventilation systems work best when properly installed and maintained. Working with a professional installer ensures the system is set up correctly and efficiently.

Additionally, regular maintenance, like cleaning filters and inspecting vents, will keep your system performing at its best and extend its lifespan.

Good ventilation is essential for a healthy, comfortable, and energy-efficient home. By investing in the right vents and ventilation systems, you’ll not only improve indoor air quality but also enhance the long-term efficiency and comfort of your retrofit.

Whether you opt for a high-tech MVHR system, smart vents, or reliable extractor fans, making the right choice will ensure your home upgrade provides both energy savings and quality air for years to come.

To learn more about retrofitting your home in Galway, visit our Home Energy Upgrade web page here.