How to choose and install air inlets on plastic windows

An essential part of keeping a cozy and healthful interior space is selecting and installing air inlets on plastic windows. In addition to guaranteeing that fresh air circulates throughout your house, proper ventilation also helps to avoid problems like mold and condensation. We’ll look at effective air inlet selection and installation in this guide.

It is important to comprehend the significance of air inlets before beginning the process of selecting and installing them. Trickle vents, another name for air inlets, let stale air out of your house while regulating the flow of fresh air into it. They are essential for preserving the quality of the air inside your home, avoiding condensation, and improving your living area’s general comfort.

Considerations for choosing air inlets for your plastic windows include a number of things. First, determine how big your room is and how much ventilation it needs. To guarantee proper ventilation, larger rooms or spaces with more people occupying them might need more than one air intake. Take into account the local climate as well as the particular ventilation requirements of your house.

How your plastic windows look is another important thing to think about. Thankfully, air inlets are available in a range of designs and hues to go well with your window décor. There are options available to suit your preferences and blend in seamlessly with your window frames, whether you prefer flush-fitted or surface-mounted vents.

A vital step in guaranteeing the efficiency of air inlets is installation. Noise, leaks in the water supply, and drafts can all result from improper installation. It’s crucial to carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing air inlets. To make sure the vents are installed correctly and efficiently, if in doubt, get professional help.

When to install valves on metal plastic windows

Only in extreme cases, when no other options remain for organizing the air supply, do we advise using window inlets. Reasons

1. Due to the small size of the flow hole, the ventilation valve for plastic windows does not allow an insufficient amount of air to pass through. Manufacturers claim a capacity of 10…30 m³/h (depending on the type of device), but these figures do not correspond to reality.
2. Installation of the valve-ventilator implies a violation of the PVC window design – removal of part of the standard rubber seal or milling a through slot in the frame profile.
3. The work of such a "supply" strongly depends on the effectiveness of natural exhaustion. If the exhaust shaft in the apartment is not working properly, the flow of fresh street air will be negligible.
4. Through the open channel inside the frame profile insects can get in and settle there (for example, wasps). It is obligatory to think of some kind of a grid or a plug for the summer period.
5. The valves often lack an air filter, dust will begin to accumulate in the window. It"s quite a problem to clean this dirt out.

Vital. Because of the draft force that the temperature differential creates in the vertical duct, the extractor hood is what drives airflow in rooms that naturally ventilate. When there’s no draft in the shaft, all air inlet devices become useless; the only things that will help are opening the windows and ventilating the space.

It is easy to calculate the air flow rate through the slotted damper. The maximum amount of air that can enter a room at a velocity of 1 m/s, or 30 m³/h, requires a duct’s cross-section of F = 30 / 3600 x 1 = 0.0083 м². We employ the formula for figuring out air exchange for a private residence that is provided in the article.

Let’s now compare this number with the data provided by the manufacturer. Two technological holes measuring 172 x 16 mm are made beneath the Aereco E-EMM² window vent valve, which has an increased flow rate of up to 35 m³/h. The total cross-section of the slit is 2 x 0.172 ̅ 0.016 = 0.0055 м². Then, in an hour, we only obtain 20 cubic meters of air at a speed of 1 m/s. Even less is known about the performance of valves made by other companies (Air-box, VENTS, etc.).

In conclusion. It is best to install a wall valve in each room, beneath the window sill or close to the window opening, for natural supply ventilation. It is possible to use climate control units with forced air injection by a fan, such as recuperators and breezers, in apartments with inadequate exhaust ventilation.

Choosing and installing air inlets on plastic windows is essential for insulation and heating in your home. These openings guarantee appropriate air circulation, inhibit the growth of mold, and preserve air purity. First, decide whether an active or passive air inlet will best suit your needs. To guarantee effective airflow, take into account the size and placement next. To stop heat loss during installation, make sure everything is airtight. To maintain the air intakes operating at their best, regular maintenance is also necessary. Your home’s comfort and energy efficiency can be greatly increased by properly choosing and installing air inlets.

Types of window ventilators

So you’ve made the decision to purchase and install window ventilation dampers. The same principle underlies the operation of all these devices: the air from outside enters the room through the gap created by the hood’s influence and combines with the upward flow of heat from the radiator. There are two types of vent valves based on how they are installed:

1. Surface-mounted for opening windows. They are placed on the sash, a section of the standard rubber seal is cut out for air passage.
2. Slotted (mortise-and-tenon) for blind and swing windows. For these devices a horizontal through slot is made in the frame.

Overview. Aluminum, wood, and metal-plastic (PVC) window systems can all be fitted with either type of damper. The slotted products have a real capacity of 15–25 m³/h; the overhead is approximately 10 m³/h, and the cost is no more than 10 euros.

The following components make up the basic arrangement of a plastic window’s slotted valve:

• plastic casing with a handle in the form of a shutter;
• external wind protection canopy;
• special seal to replace the standard one;
• fastening elements.

In addition, a coarse filter of G3 class (80…90%) that also serves as a noise-protector can be added to air-box valves. It is possible to install it either vertically or horizontally, and the visor does not impede the installation of an external window mosquito net.

The components of slotted recessed ventilators are as follows:

• outer visor
• inner casing with a grille and flow regulator;
• filter element G3;
• fasteners.

The VISORS on VENTS valves have an insect net, and the body has a rotary mechanism that can be adjusted. It makes it possible to control the airflow both upward and downward.

Aereco brand supply dampers come with a humidity-sensitive device and a unique spacer to improve airflow. Meaning: The body has a damper whose location is dependent upon the relative humidity of the surrounding environment. More air enters the space when it rises because the polyamide moisture-sensitive sensor opens the shutter. The damper automatically closes as the relative humidity drops.

Pros and cons according to user reviews

The ability to quickly create a minimal amount of manual ventilation in the apartment is unquestionably the only benefit of window inlets. For instance, installing a wall valve through an exterior wall during the winter is not as common, but it is possible to install a window valve.

Based on reviews from actual homeowners who utilize air inlets, let’s enumerate the drawbacks (source: https://otzovik.com/reviews/pritochniy_klapan_air_box/):

• low efficiency;
• Brittle plastic;
• noise and cold penetrates from the street;
• In windy weather, the valve blows out of the valve, the body and fittings freeze;
• It blows out even in the closed position, the air whistles in the gaps.

There are roughly equal amounts of positive and negative comments. In summary, ventvalves are a great way to prevent stuffiness and mold growth, but they also come with a number of serious drawbacks. It is impossible to suggest using these devices without reservation.

Installation instructions

Ascertain first how many dampers need to be installed on the windows in order to adequately ventilate the space. According to passport specifications, there must be a minimum of two air inlets in the living rooms and the same amount in the kitchen for air exchange.

The number of dampers is determined using the conventional natural ventilation scheme, which states that clean air should be supplied to the living rooms before entering the kitchen (or bathroom) through the doorway and corridor. There is an exhaust shaft that allows the exhaust air to be released outside.

Given the drawbacks of window inlets, we advise starting with one unit in each room. Next, keep an eye on how the microclimate in your house is changing, and add one more valve if needed. One "inlet" for each window is the ideal number; more is not better.

Installation of a surface-mounted ventilation damper

On the upper end of an opening sash or shutter, the device is horizontally mounted. How to carry it out:

1. Open the window, mark the place of installation of the valve by placing the body against the end face.
2. Cut and remove a section of window seal on the sash, as shown in the photo below. Remove the same piece of rubber from the main frame opposite the valve.
3. There is a groove on the window latch, insert 3 plastic self-tapping screw clips into the groove. Of course, the fasteners must match the holes on the body.
4. Remove the adhesive tape from the valve cover, screw it to the clips with screws. Make sure that the sash closes normally.
5. Instead of sealing rubber, cut from the main frame, it is necessary to glue a special strip (comes with the air ventilator).

The overhead air inlet installation is now complete. The standard sealant scraps might still be useful, so don’t rush to discard them. Watch the video to see how the Air-box vent valve is installed:

Installation of the slotted device

You must remove the double-glazed window and mill the through slot in order to install a supply valve on a window that does not open. This is why the advice is to call a master installer if you lack the necessary tools or locksmith skills. The glazing on a sash or balcony door does not need to be removed in order to install the ventilator.

Advice: When purchasing vent valves, find out from the vendor if an installation template is included in the package. Alternately, buy it separately. In dire circumstances, you will need to create the template by hand.

How to mount a slotted supply valve:

1. Determine the place of fixing the inner part – at the top of the frame, in the middle of the window opening. Make a marking. A slight offset to the vertical profile standing in the middle of the window is allowed.
2. Screw the template to the frame with 2 self-tapping screws. Mark a number of holes Ø8…12 mm with a core (the size depends on the valve model).
3. Drill through holes in the profile with a long drill bit. Do not rush, strictly adhere to the drilling angle of 90 °, otherwise the outlet holes will go apart. Better yet, use a special drill attachment that allows you to maintain a straight angle.
4. Use a hand tool to cut a continuous slit from the row of holes. Remove chips from inside the profile with a vacuum cleaner.
5. Unscrew the template, install the inner valve body and the outer inlet canopy.

Making a precise and labor-intensive window valve gap with a mill. There should be no damage to the metal-plastic profile and an even slit. The following video demonstrates how the ventilator is mounted in the PVC window sash:

One of the most important steps in guaranteeing adequate ventilation and upholding a healthy indoor environment is selecting and putting in air inlets on plastic windows. You can greatly enhance the quality of the air inside your home by taking into account a number of factors, including the kind, size, and location of the air inlet.

Choosing adjustable, high-quality air inlets is crucial when choosing plastic window vents. You can regulate the airflow to suit your needs thanks to adjustable air inlets, which guarantee ideal ventilation all year round. In order to keep insects, pollen, and dust out of your house, pick inlets that have built-in filters.

Air inlets work best when they are installed correctly. Accurate inlet placement is essential for effective ventilation. To promote the flow of fresh air and avoid drafts, air inlets are usually placed close to the ceiling. A successful installation can be ensured by following the manufacturer’s instructions and, if necessary, obtaining professional assistance.

Determine your home’s ventilation needs before adding air inlets. You should take into account various factors, including the number of occupants, the size of the rooms, and the local climate. A healthier home is produced by adequate ventilation, which also helps to prevent moisture accumulation, the growth of mold, and overall improvements in air quality.

To guarantee that air intakes remain efficient, regular maintenance is necessary. Periodically clean the filters and inlets to get rid of any dust or debris that might build up. Furthermore, look for any indications of damage on the inlets and replace them as needed. You can guarantee that your air inlets will continue to supply pure, fresh air for many years to come by keeping them maintained.

To sum up, selecting and attaching air inlets to plastic windows is an easy procedure that greatly enhances interior comfort and air quality. Your family can live in a well-ventilated and healthy environment if you choose high-quality, adjustable inlets and install them properly. The efficiency of the inlets will be further ensured by routine maintenance, giving you year-round access to fresh, clean air.

Video on the topic

Inflow valve on PVC windows – installation and review

Installation of ventilation valve // FORUMHOUSE

Air inlet ventilation valve for plastic windows BUILD FOR US

Do not install a supply valve ! Result at -20