outPHit enables façade- integrated ventilation

Innsbruck, 27 August 2024. A new device makes highly efficient ventilation with heat recovery possible even in existing buildings with limited space via integration directly in the façade. OutPHit project partner University of Innsbruck finalised the development of the device this summer and has now successfully tested it. The component provides a much-needed remedy, particularly for renovation projects lacking the space for the installation of conventional ventilation units. This means that the ventilation unit is already in exactly the right place, making additional wall openings for fresh and exhaust air are no longer necessary.

"Who wants to sacrifice valuable living space for building services equipment?" asks Rainer Pfluger from the Energy-Efficient Construction department at the University of Innsbruck. “This new development makes high levels of comfort, outstanding indoor air quality and extensive reductions in ventilation heat losses with over 85% heat recovery feasible in even the most difficult deep renovation projects.”

Through the SINFONIA project, the University of Innsbruck was able to show that ventilation ducts can also be installed under wall insulation. Now within the framework of outPHit, the team was able to successfully integrate the units into (prefabricated) façade elements or into the window frame opening next to a window. The units are then connected to ventilation ducts (supply/exhaust air) under the thermal insulation to supply the neighbouring rooms. The cylindrical devices can be installed in a core drill hole, making them possible to use even if the building has already been insulated with ETICS.

Ready-made devices or DIY
In recent years, an increasing number of innovative devices have been developed specifically for refurbishment. Flat devices for wall or ceiling integration now exist and devices that can be installed next to a window are now also available on the market, although these have, until now, typically been designed with new builds in mind. Through outPHit, adjustments were made that allow such solutions to also be used for renovation in line with passive house principles and the EnerPHit standard.

FURTHER INFORMATION

• Working Group Cost-Effective Passive Houses No. 61: Rainer Pfluger (in German),  Prefabricated Window Pre-Wall Installation with Air Ducting for Supply/Exhaust Air Heat Recovery

• outPHit case studies online 

• Information on the EnerPHit standard

• Press release as pdf

PRESS RELEASES IN OTHER LANGUAGES

• German: outPHit-Projekt ermöglicht Lüftung in der Außenwand

• Bulgarian: outPHit позволява интегрирана във фасадата вентилация

• Dutch: outPHit maakt gevelgeïntegreerde ventilatie mogelijk

• Greek: To outPHit επιτρέπει εξαερισμό ενσωματωμένο στην πρόσοψη

CONTACT

Rainer Pfluger, University of Innsbruck
+43 (0)512 / 507 63602
rainer.pfluger@uibk.ac.at

Jan Steiger, Passive House Institue
+49 (0)6151 / 826 99 47
jan.steiger@passiv.de

_{Photo: University of Innsbruck}