Ventilation is required when you insulate
All buildings in Flanders for which you apply for a building permit must meet certain EPB requirements. The acronym EPB stands for “Energy Performance and Indoor Climate.” The requirements are becoming increasingly stringent, and by 2021, the goal is for all new buildings to be nearly energy-neutral. As a result, most attention is focused on the energy component of the EPB requirements and the associated investments in renewable energy.
A home must meet ventilation standards whenever a new heating system is installed or the home is insulated.
“There are, in fact, minimum standards for ventilation as well, but they receive far less attention. ‘Poor ventilation can, however, cause moisture problems and mold, which can pose serious health risks to residents in the long term,’ says Georges Gronsfeld of the Techlink trade association.”
Ventilation standards are part of the EPB requirements. Anyone building a new home or carrying out a renovation that requires an urban planning application or notification must comply with them.
Unlike energy and insulation standards, ventilation requirements do not distinguish between projects and renovation projects. The requirements are the same for all homes.
Do it yourself
As the owner, you are required to first have a design report prepared by a certified ventilation inspector. This report identifies the ventilation requirements. You can also install the ventilation system yourself; it does not necessarily have to be done by a certified installer. However, you must keep in mind that a performance report must also be prepared after installation, in which the inspector verifies whether the minimum ventilation standards have been met.
No single, comprehensive ventilation rating is assigned to the home. Minimum requirements are established for each room individually, based on its use, size, and the number of people who may be present. For example, the minimum ventilation requirements differ for a living room compared to a bedroom or a bathroom. Appropriate ventilation must be provided for each room.
There are no ventilation standards for small renovations; however, unless specific work is carried out—such as installing a new heating system or adding insulation—the home must comply with ventilation standards. Few renovators are aware of this.
At least 2,000 euros
Small-scale renovators who did not need to submit a building permit application for their work usually fly under the radar. This makes it difficult for the government to ensure that this group complies with the rules. The situation is different for large-scale renovations and new construction projects, where builders and renovators must submit proof of their investments to the Flemish Energy Agency. Anyone who fails to meet one or more of the EPB requirements (including ventilation standards) must pay a fine of 10 to 25 euros per square meter (depending on the violation).
There are various types of ventilation systems. Many older homes still have ventilation louvers above the windows, through which air can escape from the house. “Such systems are still sold, but they are less energy-efficient because the energy from the warm air is lost.”
Nowadays, dual-flow ventilation systems are most commonly used. The incoming outdoor air is first heated using the exhaust indoor air, thereby minimizing energy loss. Such a system can easily cost several thousand euros. The central ventilation unit alone costs 2,000 euros or more. On top of that, there are all kinds of filters, ducts, dampers, and air outlets.