What is smart ventilation?
Smart devices are becoming increasingly common in the home. We control our lighting, thermostat and security easily via an app or with voice commands. Ventilation often remains overlooked, even though fresh air is essential for a healthy indoor climate. Fortunately, there are now ventilation products that you can fully integrate into your smart home. Smart ventilation means the system works automatically based on air quality, humidity, presence or time schedules. It reduces worries, improves living comfort and makes ventilation much more efficient.
In this blog, we explain what smart ventilation is, what you need for it, and which products from our Ventilationland range are suitable for app or sensor control.
What do I need for a smart ventilation system?
A smart ventilation system consists of two components: a smart home platform that handles the control and ventilation products that are suitable for automatic or app-based operation. This creates a system that no longer depends on manual switches, but responds intelligently to what is happening in the home.
The smart platform collects data from sensors, such as CO₂ or humidity, and then controls the ventilation. The ventilation equipment must be able to process these signals, for example via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or a smart module. This allows the system to work automatically while you can easily adjust settings via an app. Tip: with all our residential ventilation fans (heat recovery ventilation units, mechanical ventilation, bathroom fans, etc.) the specifications indicate whether the product can be controlled via an app or not. You can find this under: ‘Control via app’.
Available smart home protocols
Smart ventilation only works if the ventilation equipment can communicate with your smart home environment. Many systems use protocols such as Zigbee, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi for this connection. The smart home platform then acts as the “central controller”. Think of well-known smart home apps such as Homey, Home Assistant, Google Home or Apple HomeKit.
Not every ventilation product is directly “smart”. Sometimes an additional module, sensor or hub is required to connect the system. It is therefore wise to check in advance which protocols are supported and what extensions are possible. Have you seen a smart ventilation system or product on our website and would you like more information about the control options and smart integration? Then you can of course always ask our ventilation specialists!
Available smart ventilation systems
Within the range of Ventilationland there are several products available that work smartly or can be made smart. This includes complete ventilation systems such as heat recovery ventilation units and mechanical ventilation. This not only ensures a clean and fresh indoor climate, but also helps you save on your energy costs every month. Below you can see a selection of the possibilities:
Heat recovery ventilation units with app control
In our range you will find several heat recovery ventilation units that can be controlled via an app, such as the Zehnder ComfoAir Q units (350, 450 and 600 versions), the Maxivent by Econox HRU 300 heat recovery unit with heat pump, the BUVA EcoStream heat recovery unit and the Brink Ease & Brink Flair heat recovery units.
Bathroom fans with app control
A good example are the Svara bathroom fans with humidity and light sensor, which can be fully controlled via an app. This allows the ventilation to automatically respond to humidity or light and can also be adjusted remotely.
Mechanical ventilation unit with Bluetooth and sensors
The Vent-Axia Multihome AEC Advance mechanical ventilation unit is a complete smart ventilation solution that allows you to automatically control your mechanical ventilation. The set includes a CO₂ sensor, humidity sensor and Bluetooth control.
Decentralized heat recovery ventilation unit with smart functions
The Econox Eco Pair Plus decentralized heat recovery ventilation unit is a compact ventilation solution that is ideal for renovations or rooms without a full duct system. Thanks to the smart operation with sensors and automatic alternating ventilation, it provides an energy-efficient and intelligent ventilation solution.
View the smart ventilation products below
How does a smart ventilation system work?
Smart ventilation works based on measurements in the room, such as CO₂ level, humidity or presence. This allows the ventilation system to adjust automatically. When air quality drops, the ventilation rate increases. Does the humidity drop after showering? Then the bathroom fan automatically switches back down. This way, you ventilate the room in a sustainable and energy-efficient way.
The big advantage is that you hardly have to do anything yourself, because the smart ventilation product regulates everything automatically. Via an app, you can of course always adjust settings, create routines or receive notifications if needed. This keeps the ventilation aligned with your daily rhythm at all times.
Connections
The connections between sensors and ventilation devices form the heart of smart ventilation. A humidity sensor, for example, can activate a fan, a CO₂ sensor can make the ventilation unit run faster, and a light sensor can indicate that the bathroom is being used. With smart home platforms you can add additional automations, such as schedules or combined flows with lighting or heating.
At Ventilationland you have come to the right place for a wide range of sustainable smart ventilation solutions (including accessories). Would you like to stay informed about the latest news regarding smart ventilation products and other relevant topics? Then subscribe to our newsletter!
What are the benefits of smart ventilation?
Smart ventilation increases comfort in the home, because your indoor climate automatically stays balanced. You need to make fewer manual adjustments and the system works more efficiently: extra ventilation is only provided when needed. This prevents unnecessary energy loss. In addition, smart ventilation helps prevent mould growth, especially in damp areas such as bathrooms.
Another advantage is insight. Many products show graphs or notifications in the app, allowing you to see exactly how the air quality changes and how your ventilation product responds to it. This makes it easier to recognize patterns, such as times when the CO₂ level always rises or when the bathroom consistently remains too humid. With that information, you can fine-tune settings or adjust routines so that the system matches your daily use even better.
Imagine this: your home regulates exactly how much ventilation is needed all by itself, without you having to pay attention to anything. That too is a huge advantage of a smart home. A smart ventilation system automatically adjusts the ventilation setting to what is happening in the house. Is nobody home? Then the ventilation runs quietly on setting 1 to save energy. When everyone comes back in, the system automatically switches to setting 2 or 3 for sufficient fresh air. And as soon as someone starts showering or cooking, the system detects the increase in humidity or air pollution and temporarily increases to setting 3. And the best part is: you do not have to do anything yourself!
Can you combine a smart ventilation system with an existing ventilation system?
Yes, you certainly can. More and more homes are being made “smart” step by step, and ventilation is no exception. Even if your current ventilation system is not yet smart, you can often expand it with smart accessories, sensors or smart controls. This means you do not have to completely replace a well-functioning system, but you can still make it smarter and more efficient. A smart system can be connected to external sensors or smart controls, allowing your ventilation to automatically respond to humidity, presence or air quality. This creates more comfort without having to replace the existing system.
Smart solutions for existing ventilation systems
There are several ways to make an existing ventilation system smart, depending on the situation and the type of ventilation. Some commonly used upgrades include:
1. A smart potentiometer knob
A smart potentiometer knob can automatically adjust the ventilation setting based on signals from external sensors, such as: a motion sensor in the bathroom or an external humidity sensor. These sensors do not need to be integrated into the fan itself. The user also always retains the option to manually change the ventilation setting via the knob or via existing control panels.
2. A smart plug combined with an external sensor
For bathroom fans with a plug, a smart plug can be a solution. In combination with an external humidity sensor, the fan can automatically be activated when humidity rises. This is especially useful for fans that are currently operated via a wall switch and where that switch does not need to remain continuously on.
Presence detection via smart home systems
Some smart home systems offer geofencing: the system registers via the smartphone whether residents are at home. Ventilation can respond intelligently to this, for example by lowering the ventilation when nobody is home or automatically increasing it as soon as someone arrives. This increases comfort and prevents unnecessary energy consumption.
Please note: smart devices always need power
An important point to keep in mind: smart modules, plugs and fans need power in order to function. If a wall switch is turned off, the power supply is interrupted and the smart device cannot work. A smart wall module can solve this, because it can receive and process signals without interrupting the power supply. In that case, the lighting must also be made smart, so that it can be switched on and off independently of the power supply.
Smart upgrades prevent unnecessary replacement costs
Making an existing ventilation system smarter can save costs. Many “non-smart” devices still function perfectly well from a technical perspective and do not need to be replaced. By adding smart sensors or smart controls, the system can still automatically respond to humidity, presence or air quality. This creates a future-proof solution with more convenience and better indoor air quality.
Please note: at Ventilationland you can find the sensors you need. This does not apply to smart wall switches, smart plugs or smart controls. These are available from various smart home providers.
Planning to make your home more sustainable with ventilation? Read our blog!
We see that many homeowners are not always aware of how much impact good ventilation has on comfort and energy use. A suitable ventilation system can help retain heat better, prevent unnecessary energy loss and above all maintain a healthy and comfortable indoor climate. In the blog 'How can I make my house more sustainable through ventilation?' you will discover how to make your home more sustainable with ventilation and which products can play an important role.
And what if things don’t go as planned?
As with all smart home systems, something can occasionally go wrong. A sensor may be set too sensitively, the Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection may drop, or an automation may not work exactly as expected. But no worries, there is always a solution.
If something does not work perfectly, it usually does not mean there is something wrong with your smart ventilation product. It is often simply a matter of adjusting a setting, recalibrating the sensor or restoring the connection. Most apps provide clear error messages or tips to solve the issue. Still can’t figure it out? Then you can of course always contact us. We will gladly take a look with you and help you out.
Our specialists are ready to help you with support and advice!
Do you still have questions after reading this blog about smart ventilation or how to use it? Or do you have a question about a “smart” product from our range? Feel free to contact us. You can reach us via WhatsApp, phone, email or chat. You can also check the FAQ below to see whether your question is listed there.
