The distribution of responsibilities between the housing company and the shareholders in Finland has been updated with regard to ventilation. Read more about the responsibilities.
Changing the filters
The pollen season can be difficult for many people living in multi-storey buildings, especially if they suffer from allergies. Keeping windows open sensitises the body of those suffering from allergies even more. Mechanical Vallox ventilation filters the dust from the supply air, as long as the filters have been replaced regularly. The housing company is responsible for cleaning and replacing the apartment-specific ventilation filters, unless otherwise is specified in the articles of association of the housing company.
Regular cleaning and replacing of the ventilation unit filters is essential for the good quality of the indoor air and for the smooth operation of the ventilation system. Efficient filtering also reduces the need to clean the duct network. For this reason, the filters must be replaced regularly. The recommended replacement interval is 6 months.
It is always best to use original filters, as the operation of the ventilation unit has been optimised for these. The material, thickness, and structure of filters by other manufacturers, on the other hand, is different from the original Vallox filters. This can have a negative impact on the operation of the ventilation system in terms of the indoor air and the building.
Cleaning and maintenance of the valves
The supply and extract air valves of the mechanical ventilation system should be inspected and cleaned from time to time, and replaced where needed. The need to clean the valves should be inspected 2-4 times a year. The shareholder is responsible for cleaning the valves inside the apartment whilst the housing company is responsible for cleaning the valves outside the apartment. The valve should be cleaned with care, and the valve should be reinstalled in the same position as it was when it was removed. The housing company is responsible for repairing and replacing the valves.
Maintenance of the ventilation system
The housing company is responsible for maintaining the apartment-specific ventilation systems. The unit must be serviced regularly to ensure that air flows through the unit as intended. It is advisable to inspect the cleanliness of the entire unit when the filters are replaced and the heat recovery cells are serviced. The cells and fans must be cleaned based on the need. The inside of the unit can be cleaned by using a vacuum cleaner or a wet cloth.
During the heating season, the humidity of the extract air condenses to water inside the unit. It is advisable to ensure in connection with servicing that the condensing water outlet has not become blocked. The operation of the condensing water outlet can be checked by pouring one decilitre of water into the outlet. The Vallox website includes excellent videos on the use and maintenance of Vallox ventilation units (in Finnish only).
Maintenance and cleaning of the cooker hood
The cooker hood is among the most used equipment in the home and the kitchen. Its purpose is to remove cooking smells from the apartment. The distribution of work related to the maintenance and cleaning of the cooker hood between the shareholder and the housing company is clear: The shareholder is responsible for cleaning the grease filter and for the lights and the light switch, whilst the housing company is responsible for the ventilation unit, duct network, extract air valve, and the cooker hood itself. In addition, the housing company is responsible for replacing the grease filter.
It is advisable to clean the grease filters 1-2 times a month, depending on use. Unlock the locking of the dome underneath the cooker hood to remove the filter easily. Clean the filters either by washing them by hand with hot water and hand-washing detergent or in a dishwasher.