The ventilation problem is very acute for residents of apartment buildings. On the one hand, sealed plastic windows keep air out. On the other hand, poor-quality exhaust ducts create a reverse thrust effect. The air stagnates, mold appears on the walls, condensation on the glass. The issue of air flow is solved with the help of ventilation valves for plastic windows. The installation of which is mandatory for new buildings, and in most developed countries they have been used for more than two decades.
The problem of reverse draft in the ventilation of residential buildings is solved with the help of ventilation grilles equipped with air flow valves. About what these devices are and what are the reviews on the ventilation valves for plastic windows - read on.
Air exchange in living quarters
In the design of most residential buildings to this day, standards are used that were created 20 years ago. Then wooden frames were installed, through the slots of which the flow of fresh air into the dwellings was ensured. Therefore, it was necessary to take care only of the disposal of the already spent: through the shafts, leaving ventilation grilles with check valves into the kitchens and bathrooms, and with the other end beyond the roof level.
There could be no mold or condensation in houses with crevice wooden windows. Today, the tightly closed rubberized flaps do not let in a gram of air. This means that gases and vapors emitted by people also remain in apartments.
For reference, moisture is released in 1 hour:
- when bathing in a hot shower - 2 liters;
- when boiling in an open container - 0.9 liters;
- when 1 gas burner burns at full power - 0.4 liters;
- when breathing in a calm state - 50 grams;
- when breathing during exercise - 0.4 liters.
To provide a person with a sufficient amount of fresh air, it is required from 25 cubic meters per hour. This means that every hour it is necessary to make a draft for 5 minutes, letting oxygen into the apartment. It is unlikely that this method of airing is suitable for someone in the winter.
By arranging a fairly common "slot" ventilation, residents let the air in at the bottom of the window. The cold sinks to the floor, while the upper layers of the air are not affected, where carbon dioxide, excess heat and moisture accumulate. This method of air exchange significantly reduces the noise insulation of windows - one of the main advantages of PVC structures.
The noise insulation index of plastic windows is:
- in the "window" mode - 9 decibels;
- with slot ventilation - 18 decibels;
- with the window closed - 34 decibels.
Slot ventilation threatens the penetration of thieves (on the ground floors), dust and allergens into the apartment, as well as a significant decrease in temperature.
Lack of ventilation poses a danger to human health due to the accumulation of high concentrations of radon gas in apartments. This completely invisible gas is released from the ground and some building materials, concentrates in homes and causes serious fatal diseases. There is only one way to deal with radon - ventilation.
Ventilation supply valves
One of the best ways to ensure air flow today are ventilation valves for plastic windows.
The supply ventilation valve is installed directly on the sash of the plastic window. Air enters the room when the window is closed. The design of the supply ventilation window made of plastic is such that the air is directed to the ceiling without creating a draft or blowing into the backs of people in the room.
Advantages of ventilation valves for plastic windows:
- The valve passes 25 - 35 cubic meters of air per hour, providing the oxygen rate;
- Good valves are soundproof up to 42 decibels when fully open (more than some PVC windows);
- There are no jumps in temperature and humidity in the room;
- No drafts;
- The valve works without power supply;
- The air flow is directed in such a way as to ensure maximum occupant comfort and natural convection;
- The supply ventilation valve for plastic windows constantly allows air to pass through, preventing radon from accumulating in the house. Some manufacturers' models do not close completely at all, which prevents icing of the sash;
- The valve is small and does not cover the glass;
- Installation of ventilation valves on plastic windows is possible not only at the factory, but also at home. To do this, you do not need to remove the glass unit;
- There are models of ventilation valves with hidden installation on plastic windows, they are completely invisible. On average, the dimensions of the valves are 30 cm x 7 cm x 2 cm.
The cost of the ventilation valve for PVC windows is from 20 to 40 USD, which is a very small addition to the price of the plastic windows themselves. According to reviews about supply ventilation valves for plastic windows, after installation, the air in the apartment improves markedly and it becomes easier to breathe.
Cons of ventilation valves:
- The valve works only with high-quality exhaust ventilation;
- If there is no ventilation duct in the room (or adjacent to it), the valve installation is useless;
- In winter, it is not advisable to completely close the valve in order to avoid icing, condensation;
- Not all models can cope with severe frosts.
Ventilation valve installation
Installation of a ventilation valve on a plastic window takes only half an hour. It is not complicated and does not require special skills; it is much cheaper than installing a wall inlet valve.
The ventilation valve for plastic windows is installed directly on the sash, at a height of at least 1 m 80 cm from the floor.
Most ventilation valves are made up of two parts: outside air enters through the lower part and is transferred to the room through the upper part. A small section of sealing rubber is removed from the frame, where the valve insert is located. The valve top mechanism is similar to two square bars. They have holes through which air and longitudinal petals penetrate. When the pressure inside the room decreases, the petals move and air enters the apartment.
Some valves are installed with window profile milling, others involve several types of installation. There are special models for blind plastic windows.
The valve can be easily removed if necessary.
Ventilation valve control
There are models of ventilation valves for PVC windows with manual control, automatic or even without it. At the same time, the price of devices varies considerably. Almost all devices are equipped with wind gust protection.
Experts recommend stopping at models with at least manual control, since in some situations it is necessary to completely block access to the room for cold air. For example, if there are no people in the room, the inflow can be stopped and saved on heating.
On the other hand, with manual control, there is always the possibility of opening the valve too little, creating stuffiness or too much and cooling the room. Therefore, the most convenient valves are with automatic adjustment.Their design includes a humidity sensor that opens and closes the sash on time.
Difficulties in operating valves in winter
Most of the models of ventilation valves for PVC windows are developed in Europe, where there are no crackling frosts.
Therefore, getting into the conditions of harsh Russian winters, they can create some problems.
For example, the valve may freeze or fog up. This should be taken into account when choosing a valve. According to reviews, today there are models of supply valves for plastic windows on the market that provide ventilation even at -45 degrees.
Whether the valve will freeze and "cry" or not - it depends on its design: how exactly ice-cold air is supplied to a warm room. You should be aware that with the same relative humidity (%), the absolute humidity in grams per cubic meter in the cold season will be completely different. For example, at 60% humidity and a temperature of -20, moisture in the air is about 1 gram per cubic meter, while at +20 it is about 10 grams per cubic meter.
Penetrating through the supply valve, the air will cool it, but moisture will not settle here if the walls come into contact with the icy street air, and not the humid and warm air of the room. To understand this principle, look at the slightly open window leaf, it will never fog up.
To prevent condensation from settling on the valve, its cold parts should not come into contact with warm ones. At the same time, it is impossible to be sure in advance that the purchased valve will not "cry". The appearance of ice or moisture on the valve depends on the humidity and temperature inside and outside, the movement of air around the valve, and its mode of operation.
About valves on ventilation grilles
Some owners of apartments in high-rise buildings are faced with such an unpleasant phenomenon as reverse draft of ventilation. The neighbors fry the cutlets, and you inhale their aroma, which spreads through the exhaust ducts. A broken or clogged ventilation duct may be the cause of the problem. Often, its repair and diagnostics are not available to residents. But there is a simple, cheap way to fix the problem. Some apartment owners prefer to completely block the ventilation grilles, which is wrong. It is necessary to equip them with a check valve.
The ventilation grill with a non-return valve completely solves the problem of air penetration from the common riser into the apartment. A check valve for a ventilation grill is a simple, inexpensive device, which is a cylinder with a flap rotating in a horizontal plane or two flaps fixed in the form of butterfly wings. The last device is called "butterfly".
Correctly installed on the ventilation grill, the valve releases air from the room, but does not allow it to flow back. The air flow from the ventilation duct tightly presses the petals to the valve.
The kitchen ventilation grill with a non-return valve can be used alone or in combination with an exhaust fan.
In this case, the fan is installed from the side of the kitchen, and the valve from the side of the ventilation duct. The same principle is used for ventilation grilles for hoods with a non-return valve.
Check valves on the grates are very useful if the exhaust ventilation of the house does not work at all. The fan blows air out of the kitchen, and the valve prevents it from coming back.
There are also more complex designs of check valves for ventilation grilles. They are used in industrial forced air exchange systems. And most often they are installed at the entrance to the air ducts from the street side. Such air flow check valves on the ventilation grilles prevent the penetration of cold air from the street when the system is not working, fluff, insects and dust.
How to make a check valve for a ventilation grill with your own hands, see the video.
