Is ventilation mandatory in renovations?

The Flemish government has required the installation of a ventilation system for new construction and major remodeling projects since 2006. Since January 2022, renovations to private homes have been subject to minimum requirements for ventilation facilities. Which EPB requirements for ventilation should you take into account when renovating your home, school or office? A, B, C or D, which type of ventilation system best meets the energy performance rules? DryPlan explains.

Benefits of ventilation in renovation

Dagdagelijkse activiteiten zoals koken, wassen en poetsen, zorgen voor vocht, geurtjes en schadelijke stoffen in huis. Ventileren is daarom van essentieel belang om zowel gezondheidsklachten als schade aan de woning, zoals condens of schimmelvorming, te vermijden. Ventileren is in principe eenvoudig. Door regelmatig je ramen een half uurtje open te zetten, voer je CO₂ en muffe geuren af en haal je verse zuurstof binnen. Maar opgelet, je ramen openen is niet voldoende om aan de EPB-eisen voor ventilatie te voldoen.

What ventilation required in renovations?

The Flemish government makes the distinction between new construction, major energy conversion and renovation in the energy performance regulations or EPB. The following rules apply to the installation of a ventilation system since January 2022 for private homes.

Ventilation requirements in new construction or energy renovation

For new construction or major energy renovations, strict ventilation requirements apply because you are making your home airtight with additional insulation.

• Toevoerventilatie: lucht komt binnen in de droge ruimtes in huis (bv. slaapkamer of leefruimte) via raamroosters of een mechanisch ventilatiesysteem.
• Flow-through ventilation: air can flow through door gaps of 1 centimeter through the house.
• Exhaust ventilation: air is exhausted through a mechanical ventilation system with central fan in the wet areas of the house (e.g., bathroom or kitchen).

Ventilation in renovation

Renovating can take several forms. You can rebuild (where the volume of the existing building does not increase), extend (renovation where a new part is added to the existing building without prior demolition), or partially rebuild (part of an existing building is first demolished). Are you renovating without increasing the volume of your existing home and replacing windows in the process? Then the supply ventilation in the dry rooms must be controlled naturally or mechanically. Are you adding new rooms to your home? Then these new spaces must meet the same EPB requirements as a new home, for both supply and exhaust.

Ventilation at school or office | DryPlan's ventilation systems also suitable for commercial spaces or classrooms. We will recommend and install a ventilation system that fits your spaces perfectly, within your budget. Contact DryPlan for a free consultation, with no obligation to purchase.

A, B, C or D?

There are four possible ventilation systems: A, B, C and D. Air always moves the same way within these four systems: supply through "dry areas" such as your living room or bedroom, flow of air through interior doors or openings, and exhaust through "wet areas" such as kitchen, bathroom or laundry room. So where is the difference? In how the air is supplied or removed: natural or mechanical. Ventilation system A uses natural supply and natural exhaust. In homes with ventilation system D, everything is mechanical. B and C combine natural with mechanical ventilation.

Did you know that ... you can choose heat recovery with a ventilation system D? Here, the heat from the exhaust air is recovered and used to heat the colder added air. In this way, up to 70% to 90% less energy is lost! Read more about heat recovery units >>

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