A large condominium association wanted to improve its energy efficiency. Energy consumption monitoring and reporting was developed as part of the project. In this context, it was observed that it was not possible to monitor and control all ventilation units remotely. The solution to the problem was modification packages, which saved both time and money.

One of Sweden’s largest condominium associations is in Haninge in Stockholm County. Väduren, which includes a total of just over 900 apartments, was built in the 1960s and 70s and consists of both high-rise and low-rise buildings. More than 60 Enervent LTR-7 units are installed in the low-rise buildings belonging to the association. The units were ordered at different times about ten years ago. Each unit serves a stairwell with 4–6 apartments.

In connection with the energy mapping carried out by an external expert, it was observed, among other things, that some of the units manufactured by Enervent were equipped with an older control system, which did not enable remote monitoring.

– There were 25 LTR-7 eco EDW units on site. The units were still fully functional, but remote control was not possible. The remote-control problem was easy to solve, as the units equipped with DC fans were compatible with the newer Enervent eAir remote control system, confirms Jens Krantz, who is sales manager at Enervent Zehnder in Sweden.

– In this case, the modification packages were an effective way to extend the life of the ventilation units. We simply replaced the control system in the ventilation units and now it is easy to monitor energy consumption and service managers can share unit-specific measurement results, for example in the form of an Excel table.

When and how to choose modification packages?

Modification of the ventilation unit is an excellent solution if a ventilation unit installed in a difficult place or integrated in structures needs to be updated. Similarly, if you want to do an eco-deed in connection with the ventilation renovation or if you want a more advanced ventilation control.

Dozens of modification packages are available, and their content depends on the unit model and the customer’s needs. The most comprehensive modification packages include almost the entire technology – only the metal casing and the mechanical parts of the heat exchanger remain from the old unit. The packages installed in Haninge only contained the control system.

If you are interested in updating your own ventilation unit using a modification package, you can contact our technical support, who will find the best solution: service@enervent.com.

If necessary, Enervent Zehnder’s technical support team even travels abroad to install modification packages, as was the case in Haninge. In Haninge, the installation of the modification packages went quickly as our own professionals, who know the units and technology inside and out, were on site.

– From an installation point of view, this was an easy project for us. The stairwells’ units are in the attic, which was only accessible from the outside through the roof hatches, but even that was not a problem in good weather, says Oscar Husman from the technical support team.

Photo: On the way back, our service car was photographed in central Stockholm

Practice varies somewhat between the Nordic countries. In the object in question, one ventilation unit served an entire stairwell with several apartments. In Finland, for example, there is a regulation that limits the use of rotary heat exchangers in centralized ventilation.

Enervent became part of the leading European supplier of indoor air solutions, Zehnder Group, five years ago. The interaction has been lively, and we have been involved in various development projects with parent and sister companies. We are the expert in cold climate and ventilation that meets Nordic requirements in the group of companies belonging to the group. There has been a demand for our special expertise.

As part of the entire group’s brand renewal, we will introduce Zehnder’s renewed look at the turn of the year. Unifying the appearance of the group’s main messages and materials is a welcome change, as it also contributes to making products made in Finland known in new export markets.

Always the best climate

The year 2023 has been a double anniversary year for Enervent Zehnder. This year, the company has been manufacturing ventilation units for 40 years, and in Norway, ventilation units have been marketed under the name Exvent for 20 years. The past decades have accommodated several changes of ownership and at the same time a change in the external appearance. With the upcoming reform, the green logo colour introduced in 2008 will gradually become history. The Enervent logo will remain for the time being, but it will be used together with Zehnder Group’s logo in the future.

– Although our external colour scheme changes, we still offer and manufacture high-quality ventilation solutions developed in Finland, reminds Sonja Häggman, who is responsible for Enervent Zehnder’s marketing and communication, as well as customer experience.

Häggman confirms that joining an international group has opened more opportunities for Enervent to develop its own business.

– The Swiss Zehnder Group, which is a family company, has actively expanded its business through acquisitions, and there have been quite a few country-specific brands under the same roof. Among other things, the reform seeks to strengthen general awareness of Zehnder in all operating countries. Through this, the growth and development of subsidiaries in different countries is supported.

All Zehnder Group companies have high-quality and advanced products in common. It is also described by the slogan “Always the best climate”. The group offers the best ventilation solutions for all needs.

Enervent Zehnder’s ERP system changes at the same time as the brand look. During the first half of next year, we will switch to using the group’s SAP solution. We will inform our various stakeholders about this in more detail closer to the time.

(Photo: Our new identity is already visible at the Porvoo head office)

An Enervent ventilation unit has been installed in the villa in Kirkkonummi in Southern Finland  for more than 10 years. During a maintenance visit, it turned out that it was time to replace the unit. The old unit was replaced with a Salla Compact unit – the very first in history. Salla Compact has a new ceiling mounting mechanism, especially suitable for tight spaces. The customer’s thanks also go to LVI-Trio’s maintenance team, who had listened with an attentive ear to a training session at Enervent Zehnder, when the trainer talked about upcoming innovations.

The ventilation unit’s airflow capacity and its location determine the best option for each property. The units are made to last, and a change of unit only becomes relevant if you want functions that cannot be realized with the old model or if spare parts are no longer available.

A competent maintenance team finds solutions to problems

Jani Lepojärvi and his family have lived in the yellow villa for over 10 years.

– We acquired a pre-fabricated house with complete technical space. There was an Enervent ventilation unit of the Pingvin model installed in a corner. A cabinet-style water heater is installed below the unit and next to it is the central vacuum cleaner.

– I have been satisfied with the installation and the ventilation unit has been easy to maintain. Now that it had a real fault the first time, I contacted an authorized service company. I would have liked to keep the old unit, but now a different type of solution was needed, he notes.

– In the customer’s case, the circuit board of the ventilation unit had broken, and the corresponding circuit board is no longer available on the market, says supervisor Niko Salo from LVI-Trio.

According to Salo, the site visit confirmed that a lot of dismantling work would be required to replace the unit in the cramped technical space. There was also a risk that the water heater could break during the replacement. It was necessary to find a better solution.

The dialogue between the manufacturer and the partner benefits the customer

Enervent Zehnder regularly invites its authorized service partners to update their product knowledge. Last summer, at the Porvoo factory, upcoming product innovations were reviewed under the leadership of sales manager Ronni Laaksonen.

– We were on a training day with my colleague Ville Eskola and remembered that a new ceiling mounting mechanism was under development for the Salla ventilation units. When the customer’s problem came up, I immediately contacted Ronni to ask if it is possible to get a specimen of the new version for installation, confirms Niko Salo.

Enervent Zehnder gave the green light and the Salla Compact unit with its renewed ceiling mounting mechanism was installed in Kirkkonummi without the need to dismantle other structures in the same space.

– I appreciate that the maintenance company took our case seriously and made a real effort to find the best solution for our situation. It made it possible to change to a new ventilation unit from the same manufacturer without difficult dismantling work. When the cooperation between the maintenance partner and the manufacturer works this smoothly, the customer benefits above all else, thanks a satisfied Jani Lepojärvi.

– We collect feedback from customers and service partners. In addition to new solutions, we continuously develop unit models that are already on the market. The popular Salla, launched in 2018, is the perfect choice for villas, and the renewed roof mounting mechanism made it even better, summarizes Laaksonen.

Photo: Ronni Laaksonen with Niko Salo and Ville Eskola from LVI-Trio

In April, we launched iSLa, a mobile application for controlling ventilation units. It gradually completely replaces the separate control panels supplied with the units. In October, the iSLa application will also be completed with an installers section intended for professionals.

iSLa makes tracking notifications and device monitoring independent of your location. From the point of view of the equipment user, it is practical that the adjustments of the ventilation unit can now be made remotely. For example, the home mode can be activated conveniently before returning, so that the indoor climate will be pleasant immediately upon arrival.

In the future, installation and maintenance personnel will be able to implement and monitor ventilation units remotely, which will save both driving kilometres and enable faster customer service. Remote control also brings with it positive environmental effects, as the need for components ordered from Asia and the amount of plastic waste decreases.

Setting up the application is easy

The iSLa application can be downloaded from the Google Play and AppStore application stores.

Equipment users

• Owners of ventilation units do not need to do anything during the transition
• The application can be enabled on most units, but it is not necessary
• The wifi module needed for using the app can be ordered from Enervent Zehnder’s online store at webshop.enervent.com
• Control panel support and spare part deliveries will continue for years to come

Professionals

• Access to the section intended for installers is always requested in the application. Note! Application processing takes 1–3 days.
• More detailed instructions can be found on the Enervent Zehnder website

Contact us and ask more about the iSLa application or Enervent Zehnder’s devices from the seller in your area or from our customer service: +358 207 528 800, enervent@enervent.com

Ventilation units are quite independent. When everything works, you don’t even notice their existence. However, the life cycle of the device is long and sometimes a competent service technician is needed for a home visit.

Our trusted technicians Oscar Husman and Robert Kristén handle, among other things, all special situations and are involved in training partner companies both in Finland and in other countries.

Both Oscar and Robert know Enervent’s different device models inside out. Both have a full 17 years in the company’s service and have accumulated a four-digit number of service gigs in Finnish homes. Rarely, if ever, does a device problem arise for which a solution cannot be found immediately.

The best are the customers and the work atmosphere

Oscar and Robert enjoy both their own tasks and Enervent. Robert confirms that no two working days are the same in a row and it is always nice to meet customers “live”. Similarly, Oscar thanks the good work atmosphere. Technical back office and service technicians cooperate seamlessly when solving customer concerns.

– When it comes to ventilation, you might think that summer is the busiest time for us, but the opposite is true. After all, Enervent’s ventilation units have rotating heat exchangers, which are usually not used in the summer. Maintenance needs are noticed more often in the cooler months, says Robert Kristén.

Oscar Husman reminds that in Finland the equipment is already of high quality because building technology and ventilation planning is regulated.

– My job description includes the training of partners’ technicians and installers in other countries as well. Thankfully, building regulations are followed and standard parts are used in the devices in our main market the Nordic countries.

Oscar’s and Robert’s equipment knowledge is also needed from time to time in the warehouse when the distribution of spare parts has increased with the establishment of the online store. Spare parts for the different unit models are assembled and finished in Porvoo before shipment.

What are the most common reasons for a maintenance visit?

Ventilation units are designed for decades of use. Due to the device warranty, commissioning installation should always be done by a competent and technically skilled professional. This ensures that the device works correctly from the start.

The maintenance team reminds us that filters are the single most important maintenance operation. If you forget to replace them, it will cause the unti to malfunction before long and maintenance must be called to the scene.

In older units, individual wearing parts are also replaced. Control modification packages are a functional solution to extend the life of the unit when you don’t want to replace it with a completely new one yet. Dozens of packages are available, and their content depends on the unit model.

Maintenance in all locations

In addition to its own maintenance team, Enervent Zehnder has partner networks in the Nordic countries. For example, there are about 30 experienced maintenance companies in Finland, whose representatives we regularly train. In special situations and whenever necessary, Oscar and Robert travel to help the local maintenance company.

Questions? Our technical support guides and advises: service@enervent.com.

Executive Director Mervi Ahola leads the Finnish Indoor Air Association, which has been actively sharing theme information in Finland for over 30 years. A good indoor climate is the sum of many factors, and new university research on the subject is constantly being conducted. The association is an important link to increase the dialogue between researchers in the construction industry and those who need information.

In the Nordic countries, the level of requirements of building regulations has traditionally been higher than in the rest of Europe. For example, in Finland, they also contain minimums for the ventilation air volume of buildings. It is indeed more difficult to verify the implementation of the practice.

The HVAC field is a combination of technology and closeness to people

Mervi Ahola of the Finnish indoor air association has practically been dealing with indoor air quality throughout her working career. We asked her to tell us who is responsible for good indoor air. At the beginning of the interview, it is interesting to hear what made her specifically choose the Master of Science in HVAC studies.

– In the beginning I was interested in the combination of technology and closeness to people. Indoor air is practically at its best when you don’t even notice it. In this case, the human influence and the acquired experience and knowledge bring a different dimension to the technology.

– When the topic is discussed, it is good to first verify what is meant by different terms. When talking about indoor air quality, it automatically includes possible pollutants. In addition to cleanliness, the indoor climate also includes thermal conditions. Correspondingly, the indoor environment also covers lighting and acoustics in addition to the above, Ahola elaborates.

At the same time, she emphasizes that ventilation plays a significant role in creating good indoor air, but the condition of the buildings’ structures and maintenance during their life cycle are just as important.

Who takes responsibility for indoor air?

In public discussion, indoor air quality is easily brought up in connection with problems such as mold-damaged buildings.

– This is an emotional topic and articles that gain visibility in the media/social media also affect public opinion. When it comes to best practices, it clearly divides people. Our goal in the association is to produce fact-based information to support solutions. Today, even right down to the consumer level.

Ahola reminds that the association operates impartially and has networked with many different organizations, the business world, and authorities. University research in the construction industry as well as practical property management professionals are represented on the board of the association.

– Yes, good indoor air is a matter for all parties during the property’s life cycle, but ultimately it is the property owner’s responsibility. After all, the responsibility starts with the customer, in other words, what kind of quality level is required. And from there it flows to the desks of the architect and the HVAC designer and on to the contractor. After construction, it is important that essential information about the property is transferred to maintenance, whose task is to ensure that the conditions remain good even during use. In the entire chain, communication between the parties is needed. If mistakes are made during the construction phase, or the right equipment is installed incorrectly, success cannot be achieved, Mervi Ahola sums up.

Ahola emphasizes the responsibility of the entire chain equally. Even the last in the chain, i.e. the user of the property bears his share of the responsibility.

– The lifestyles of the users and residents of the premises naturally affect the quality of the indoor air. In addition, neglecting maintenance measures and necessary maintenance can quickly ruin a well-planned and built entity.

Finnish Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate (FISIAQ) is a non-profit Society, that promotes the work for healthy and comfortable indoor air quality and climate.  The Society provides information from research to practice and educates the users and the owners of buildings to maintain a good indoor climate. FISIAQ was founded in 1990 to organize the Indoor Air Conference 1993.