DIY ventilation with heating: the nuances of air heating + assembly instructions for the system

Alexey Dedyulin
Checked by a specialist: Alexey Dedyulin
Author: Victor Kitaev
Last update: January 2020

Ventilation systems that ensure the inflow and processing of air masses coming directly from the street, as a rule, are used exclusively in the industrial sector. For domestic conditions, such systems are not provided by default. This is one of the reasons that makes ordinary users think about how to put together something similar for home use. But is it possible and how can this problem be solved?

By and large, almost everything is possible. However, there are always a number of nuances to consider. And we will talk about this in our article - we will consider what the supply ventilation with our own hands is and what basic units it consists of. We will discuss the issue of home “puffing” with heating in terms of possible solutions to this issue, adding to the article visual photos and thematic videos.

Supply system device with heating function

Technically, the design of the supply air unit is not a high-tech device. True, the latest developments in this area, aimed at providing air supply machines with specialized areas of the national economy, have stepped far forward.

Industrial structures are equipped in accordance with the latest technology:

  • control controllers;
  • speed control motors;
  • monitoring and analysis sensor systems;
  • effective filters and recuperators;
  • air heating (cooling) modules;
  • channel shutoff mechanisms.

As a result, the processing of outdoor air is really achieved at a high level, which contributes to the creation of a favorable atmosphere inside the workplace.

Is it possible to do something similar for operation in a private house?

An example of the design of the industrial manufacturing air intake
Industrial high-tech system of inflow and processing of outdoor air, equipped with full-fledged automation, capable of stable operation with the support of periodic maintenance

Perhaps, for a single-family house, such air treatment is quite acceptable.

But for the implementation in a city apartment - this is already a difficult task. The complexity of the task for a city dweller is due to various nuances - both technical and economic.

Design features of the “air inlet” with heating

For a better understanding of the complexity of the task, we consider the classic design of the supply unit with the functions of additional processing of street air.

First of all, a purely mounting factor should be taken into account. Still, the air treatment system is a rather overall installation, under which it is necessary to allocate part of the area of ​​the room.

Installation forced-air and exhaust branded execution
Relatively small-sized branded supply and exhaust systems are designed for sub-ceiling installation. For cases with private homes, this approach can be considered

The stitch design by default contains:

  • electric motor;
  • impeller;
  • air intake diffuser;
  • air discharge diffuser;
  • shut-off channel valves;
  • Filters
  • air duct system.

In order to ensure stable heating of the air flow pumped by the fan impeller, a heating system is installed after the discharge diffuser.

In more detail about types of influxes in the apartment we talked here.

Types of heating systems for ventilation

Technologically, together with the supply ventilation use water or electric heating system. Or, it is possible to use two heating options simultaneously, which, although rare, is encountered in the operation of industrial supply air processing machines.

The implementation of the water version in the domestic environment (in the apartment) for arranging ventilation with do-it-yourself air heating is an extremely difficult task, especially if it is intended to operate the supply system in winter conditions.

Supply ventilation with water heating
The performance of the supply unit, where a water heater is used as a heater for the air flow. This option, however, is extremely difficult to implement for urban conditions, but it is possible for a single-family house

Water heating requires reliable control, mandatory protection against “defrosting" of the water circuit. To achieve high heating efficiency, the water circuit must be multi-way, multi-row design. Such a heating device must be removable. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with types of water heaters for infusion and their principle of operation.

The introduction of an electric heater in the design of a home air supply system promises to turn out to be somewhat less complicated. However, in this case, the consumption of electricity will inevitably increase, and, accordingly, the monthly costs.

To ensure the heating of the supply air electrically, the installation of powerful electric heaters (TEN) is required.

An example of an apartment project “air ducts” with heating

The modern market of technological equipment, in particular, fans and electric heaters of various designs, theoretically allows you to implement a home-made “warm-in-air” project. For example, a design based on duct fan.

Channel axial fan for supply system
This is the design of the channel axial fan - a device theoretically suitable for the manufacture of a home air supply unit with heating

The design of an axial fan, for example, the company "Dospel", is well suited for an apartment project. This device is small, lightweight, low noise. The technique is characterized by relatively low energy consumption at a sufficiently high productivity. It supports step-by-step speed adjustment, which is also relevant for home “stitching” in the manufacture of do-it-yourself.

However, in addition to the axial duct fan, it will be necessary to select an electric heater (TEN), a design that would ensure full heating of the air mass passed by the fan.

That is, it is necessary to calculate the power of the heating element sufficient for the maximum performance of the Dospel device.

For calculations, you can use the following formula:

Qt = L * 0.36 * (Tv - Tn),

Where: Qt - power of the heating element; L - duct fan performance; Tv and Tn - air temperature inside and outside.

How to build in ventilation in an apartment?

It is clear that for the option of a private single-family house, the options for the device of forced ventilation with heating provide more opportunities for the implementation by hand.

A city apartment sharply limits the possibility of installation or allows you to install, but with a violation of the general appearance of the interior. This approach does not suit every urban resident.

Ceiling mounted supply system
It is permissible to equip newly constructed city apartments with a supply system with heating, installing such systems directly under the ceiling, followed by a lower decorative ceiling coating

Hence the possible options for embedding equipment. So, for cases with city apartments, it would be logical to set up a system hidden by suspended ceilings. Especially if it is planned to equip the apartment with a "tributary" with heating for all the premises existing in the apartment.

There are, of course, the simplest variations when the introduction of forced ventilation with the heating function is carried out directly into the wall of the building. However, this approach is most likely suitable for small rooms of a country house, but not for a city apartment, if we consider really high-quality supply of fresh air.

Instructions for arranging a “air supply” with heating

Consider the option of equipping the apartment with a “stitch” with heating in more detail. What needs to be done to implement such a system? Next, we give step-by-step instructions for assembling the system.

Stage # 1 - System Planning

It sounds corny, but the plan, even if made up on paper in haste, allows you to take into account all the details of the construction.

For example, a competently drawn up plan necessarily takes into account the presence of insulation of the duct placed in the body of the wall at the section of the street-to-room transition (passage unit).

Air duct for the apartment supply system
An example of insulating an air channel made on the basis of a circular plastic pipe. A very effective option for the isolation of the transitional section of the pipe, simplifying the installation of the channel in the wall

Isolation with durable modern material of this section of the “stitching” is a must. Lack of insulation in the transition zone threatens to form moisture on the walls of the duct. This moisture will collect, run down the pipe, followed by the transition to the body of the wall of the building, causing smudges and destruction over time.

The layout of the "inflow" arrangement makes it possible to pre-determine the size of each individual part, mark the attachment points, the exact placement of the system parts. As a result, time for work is reduced, plus a high-quality installation of equipment is achieved.

Stage # 2 - selection of structural elements

Technological components in this case are:

  • fan;
  • heater (air heater or heater);
  • filters (preferably not only rough cleaning, but also fine cleaning);
  • air valve (gate);
  • air ducts (rectangular or circular).

Each of these structural elements is selected in size, taking into account previously taken measurements. In addition, components such as a fan and heater require a selection of performance and power.

It is permissible to make an air filter (filters) by yourself using a suitable material, for example, sipron. Or you can choose ready-made industrial filters. These products are quite affordable.

An air valve (or an adjustable damper), installed in front of the fan, can also be made by yourself on the basis of a suitable sheet material or you can choose a finished design for sale.

Axial fan with check valve
This type of axial fan, already equipped with an air valve, can be used to equip a heated air inlet

It’s recommended to purchase ready-made ones for a home “inflow” with heating air ductsmanufactured at an industrial level.

Usually a convenient option for apartment installation are circular ducts. These parts will require holders and fasteners, if the project provides for a certain length of the air channel.

Stage # 3 - assembly of apartment ventilation

Consider an example of installing a system with a minimum length of ducts in an apartment.

So, first you need to punch a hole in the wall of the room where the installation is supposed. The hole is made proportional to the cross section of the duct with the subsequent introduction into the hole in the inlet of the pipe.

Outside, the hole is closed with a decorative mesh panel, and the end area that goes into the room is supplemented with a filtering element - it is inserted into the pipe close to the insulation.

Next, an axial fan is connected to the pipe, at the output of which the heating element (TENA) is mounted. Installation completion - installation of a decorative mesh cover on the end of the output channel.

There are (on sale) ready-made channel heaters of round or rectangular cross-section. The obvious point is that a circular heating system is well suited for a channel axial fan. For example, the performance as in the picture below.

The device of the heating system inside the duct
An electric heater for a circular cross-section of air ducts, completely ready for operation, that is, equipped with all the necessary sensors and an overheat protection system

Ready-made heating plants of this type are produced in various sizes from 100 mm in the diameter of the channel, weighing from 1.5 kg for power up to 6 kW and more.

So, there is every opportunity to choose the right option, doing the creation of air heating in the supply ventilation with your own hands for a home air intake.

Stage # 4 - Testing the Mounted System

The industrial electric heating module is equipped with all the necessary protective automation. Therefore, it is recommended to use just such an option for installation. After assembly in accordance with the attached diagram, it remains only to perform system testing.

This procedure involves putting the unit into operation with subsequent monitoring of the factors that trigger the temperature sensors to enable / disable the heater. Also checked the operation of the stepped fan speed controller.

At this, the installation of the apartment inflow can be considered completed.

Additional components in the “stitch” scheme

Having decided on the selection of the main components of the apartment supply system - a fan and a heater, you should consider options for providing other accessories. In particular, equipping the air handling unit with a coarse air filter. That is, we are talking about creating equipment in the complex.

The rules of the ventilation system mandatory require the introduction of an air filter of cleaning class "EU3", at least, which must be placed in front of the electric (water) heater. One of the main functions of the filter is to separate small particles of dust from the incoming air.

Supply ventilation unit in the complex
Apartment ventilation with the function of heating the air flow (classic scheme): 1 - outdoor air inlet; 2 - the outlet of the treated air; 3 - filter of class "EU3"; 4 - channel axial fan; 5 - heating module with round nozzles

If there is no filter, the electric heater or the water heater will quickly become contaminated, which is fraught with a serious loss of heating power, and for the electrical structure there is also a fire hazard.

A filter installed in the system is required periodically. replace with new instance, as it gets dirty. Accordingly, a home-built DIY assembly should provide for the possibility of quick and easy change of the filter element.

It is worth noting that the designs of industrial air inlets are usually equipped with differential air pressure sensors. In turn, the sensors are associated with control automation, which signals the user about filter contamination.

In fact, it is also advisable to supplement a serious home-made DIY system with a control function of the filter state.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

As an example of the implementation of a home “infusion”, though dubious in terms of quality, we offer the video below:

The idea of ​​a “supply” with heating for a city apartment (private house) has a right to exist. Moreover, the possibility of implementing such an idea is not ruled out subject to a well-considered, rational approach.

It is worth emphasizing: arranging this kind of system in an apartment or in a house, it will be reasonable to calculate how effective the result will be air exchange. You should also consider the factor of "drying" of air passed through the heater. Thus, the qualitative implementation of the idea is a complex, controversial issue that is clearly not resolved on the fly.

Do you have any questions about arranging the heating of the “air inlet”? Or want to share your own experience in the assembly and installation of fresh air ventilation? Ask your questions to our experts, share your experience, take part in the discussion of the issue - you can leave your comments in the feedback box below.

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