Essential Maintenance Tips for Ventilation Systems

Essential Maintenance Tips for Ventilation Systems

By Ruth MacEachern

Product Manager

The benefits of a well-designed ventilation system have been well documented in our various articles. If the health benefits offered by Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems do not represent sufficient added value, then environmental credentials and potential savings thanks to reduced heating costs are other arguments in favour of a whole-house ventilation installation. However, if a ventilation system fails to run efficiently on account of inadequate cleaning and maintenance, many of these benefits can be compromised or undone.

In this article, we will provide some practical tips for the regular maintenance of ventilation systems, with a view to ensuring optimal performance and longevity, thus securing the investment that a mechanical ventilation system entails.

Maintaining passive ventilation fixtures and single-room installations

Natural or passive ventilation fittings, such as trickle vents installed on windows, require minimal maintenance on account of the lack of reliance on mechanical parts. Nonetheless, vents should still be regularly maintained and cleaned to avoid the build-up of dust and dirt. If vents become clogged, they may actually promote the formation of the mould and damp that they are intended to prevent.

While still less complex in terms of maintenance than whole-house installations, it is important that single-room mechanical ventilation installations such as extractor fans are regularly cleaned and maintained. This is most certainly true in the case of kitchen extractor fans. A build-up of grease and dirt in the filters can severely impair the performance of a cooker extractor hood, which will result in mould formation caused by cooking steam, lingering odours, and poor air quality in a kitchen.

Maintaining a whole-house mechanical ventilation system

There are a number of steps that can be taken to ensure the longevity and efficient operation of a whole-house mechanical ventilation installation. Some of these are listed below, however, it is first worth pointing out that homeowners may wish to put together a maintenance/cleaning schedule to ensure that all aspects are addressed on a regular basis. Furthermore,  safety precautions should be used during the maintenance of these units.. Finally, before addressing the ventilation system specifically, in order to ensure high indoor air quality and the efficient running of any ventilation system, it is essential that a clean living environment be maintained in the home, with regular dusting and cleaning to remove airborne pathogens.

Ventilation system maintenance tips:

• To effectively remove mould and mildew from vents and components, select appropriate cleaning solutions or antimicrobial agents, scrub affected areas with a brush, apply disinfectants, and ensure adequate ventilation. This will eliminate mould spores and prevent regrowth.
• All components must be regularly checked and tested to ensure that they stay in good working order, to maximise efficiency and to prevent dust, debris, and bacteria from building up within the system. Checks should be conducted to ensure that all components of the system are operating as they should. This includes the fan motors, grilles or terminations, ductwork, filters if included, and sensors. Maintenance and cleaning should be considered from an early planning stage to ensure that components and installation sections can be accessed for inspection and cleaning.
• It may be necessary to call in experts to test the function of your installation and ensure continued compliance with regulatory requirements. For instance, Approved Document F of the UK Building Regulations requires that specific air flow levels be maintained within domestic dwellings. Performing such measurements requires specialist equipment and expertise.
• You may wish to spread maintenance checks throughout the year, by scheduling cleaning and inspection tasks on a seasonal basis. For instance, regular checks should be performed to ensure that a comfortable temperature is maintained within the dwelling during the summer months. Smart sensors can be installed to notify occupants if indoor temperatures become elevated, which may indicate that a ventilation system is not working as it should. A more detailed discussion of seasonal ventilation maintenance can be found here.

Factors influencing maintenance frequency and whether you need to call in the experts…

There are various factors that will influence how often a ventilation installation will need to be cleaned, inspected, and maintained. These include the type of building or dwelling, the number of occupants, the external conditions, and the layout and number of rooms (which will determine the number of vents and the extent of the ducting required). Occupants who suffer from allergies or respiratory conditions will naturally want to increase the frequency of cleaning and maintenance with a view to ensuring the efficient operation of their installation, for high indoor air quality and a pollutant-free living environment. As a guideline, the in-depth inspection, cleaning, and maintenance of an entire whole-house system such as an MVHR system, including the cleaning of ducts, performance testing, and the inspection and servicing of the central unit can be performed from 3 months onwards, depending upon the nature of the unit, filters installed and as mentioned, the external conditions such as proximity to an airport or city centre.

In conclusion…

Ventilation system cleaning and maintenance requires a proactive approach. Alongside scheduled and targeted cleaning, the observation of standard hygiene practices are essential, especially in the case of occupants who are more vulnerable to the effects of mould, dust, or airborne pathogens. 

Whether you are questioning the performance of an existing ventilation system, or are seeking planning advice with a view to ensuring access to key components for cleaning and maintenance, the experts at EnviroVent are available to answer your questions and address any concerns you may have.