Ventilation system maintenance: the forgotten link in energy performance

This is a surprising observation given the health and economic stakes involved. Unlike other sectors, where maintenance obligations are clear and standardized, ventilation relies solely on technical recommendations, inconsistent practices, and monitoring left to the discretion of those involved. As a result, even when a maintenance contract exists, actual maintenance remains far too infrequent.

A sector weakened by its economic model

Today, maintenance contracts are often billed at just a few euros per dwelling: amounts insufficient to properly allocate technicians throughout the entire cycle (preparation, travel, interventions, follow-up). The result: botched or non-existent interventions, compensated by markups on spare parts.

The effects are documented: drops in ventilation rates of several tens of percent, up to measured drops of 15% to 94% depending on the contexts studied (fouling, malfunctions, uses), with condensation, mold, blocked ducts and disasters as the result[1].

In all cases investigated by MVN, the absence or deficiency of maintenance was the cause.

Furthermore, while ventilation systems are initially calibrated with precision, the frequent use of generic or unsuitable parts during maintenance renders the initial technical assessment obsolete and degrades overall performance. Maintenance companies lack specific training, leading to confusion between maintenance, troubleshooting, and routine servicing.

Project owners: the key role of the sector

Fortunately, the sector is evolving. More and more installers are also positioning themselves in the maintenance sector, which promotes consistent quality between installation and follow-up. However, this remains marginal, as the impetus must come from the project owners themselves.

They hold the key to change: by demanding comprehensive contracts that include training, spare parts, performance indicators, and results-based commitments, they can be game-changers. Some landlords and local authorities have already grasped this: by integrating maintenance into their asset management strategy, they secure their investment over 10 to 15 years, while simultaneously improving air quality and occupant comfort.

Building owners are beginning to understand that preserving indoor air quality is not an option; it is a health, social, economic, and environmental imperative. It is also a matter of fairness, as the populations most exposed to poor air quality are often the most vulnerable.

For a collective mobilization, even before the regulations

Should we move towards a regulatory obligation? Probably, eventually. But before waiting for a decree, the entire ecosystem can already mobilize.

Indeed, manufacturers play a crucial educational role. They are familiar with the installations, train professionals, and can support every link in the chain. Maintenance companies, for their part, must develop their skills, understand the specific characteristics of the installed systems, and operate with a performance-driven approach. Finally, project owners must demand more and better service. A maintenance contract should not be limited to an annual visit without any real verification.

Creating a maintenance culture is both simple and essential. It's regrettable to invest in a ventilation system only to let it deteriorate. Air quality should even become a fundamental right—the right to breathe clean air at home. This would naturally entail stricter obligations, including regarding maintenance.

Getting out of the blind spot

Faced with the mass air conditioning projects proposed in response to heat waves, it's essential to remember a fundamental truth: air conditioning alone isn't enough. To be fully effective, it requires proper ventilation. Ventilation isn't about cooling the air; it's about renewing and purifying it, ensuring lasting comfort. It's time to address maintenance from its blind spot and stop viewing the longevity of these systems as a cost: it's an investment, a matter of common sense, and above all, a responsibility.

[1] Task Report 4 - Sustainability of ventilation performance - Development of technical recommendations – 07/2024.

Tribune by Julien Bodin, Co-manager of MVN (LinkedIn).