Ventilation in bedrooms is often inadequate
Ventilation in bedrooms in older homes is often poor. If so, you should do something about it. Here you can read about:
- technical requirements for bedroom ventilation
- benefits of better bedroom ventilation
- available solutions to improve this
Requirements for bedroom ventilation
If you have a new home, technical installations must comply with TEK-17 (or be amended). In that case, everything should be in order, and bedroom ventilation should be good. If you have an older home built before 2011, there are different requirements. Here, windows and air vents are considered sufficient ventilation. (Source). This is the formal and legal aspect of the matter. In reality, this is often insufficient, and with today's use of homes, ventilation in such bedrooms is often poor.
Benefits of better bedroom ventilation
There are many good reasons to ensure better ventilation in your rental property:
- Removes moisture. Today's use of homes often creates more moisture than before. More showers, more laundry, and less heating due to energy prices. Many tenants close ventilation vents to save on heating costs, and you, as the owner, are left with a home affected by too much moisture. Many choose to install a dehumidifier as well.
- Reduces radon. As an owner, you must document the amount of radon in the rental property. If you have more than 100 Becquerel, measures must be implemented. A room fan replaces the air, thereby reducing much of the radon. This is often enough to meet legal values.
- Reduces odors. Many landlords have experienced an odor coming from the dormitory area. Other people have other habits, eat different food, and live differently than you. It can often be unpleasant to have other people's odors entering your home. Better ventilation in the bedroom reduces this. Fewer unpleasant odors lead to fewer conflicts and a more harmonious tenancy.
- Fresher air and less CO2. Better ventilation provides better air. Humans exhale CO2, which needs to be ventilated. Ventilators are often too small, and CO2 accumulates over time. One could say that it is the tenant's responsibility to ventilate, but this is often overlooked and forgotten. Ensuring better ventilation leads to more satisfied tenants. Constantly changing tenants can cause you a lot of work and costs. It is therefore wise to ensure that those who live there are happy.
- Saves money. Ventilation through vents or open windows sends heat straight out. Perhaps you are paying for this heat? A room fan with heat recovery will retain almost all the heat. This is good economics.
- Good environmental measures. Offering ventilation with heat recovery is a good environmental measure and shows your tenants that you are taking responsibility.