Updated on 19.8.2026.
Need-based ventilation saves energy and increases the comfort of living. The ventilation unit uses automatic sensors to boost the ventilation when necessary. The same principle also applies to commercial and public buildings.
Automated ventilation in residential buildings
Basic ventilation is sufficient to remove human-generated impurities and keep living areas and bedrooms fresh during normal occupancy. In modern MyVallox ventilation units, ventilation is controlled with built-in sensors that monitor indoor humidity and carbon dioxide levels. Users can still adjust ventilation levels manually through Home and Away modes when desired. However, the latest Vallox software update also introduces the Automatic mode, which further enhances convenience and automation.
In Automatic mode, sensor-based control enables truly demand-controlled ventilation. The ventilation system adapts to the actual use of the building by responding to changes in occupancy and moisture load. The system can also detect when the building is lightly occupied or unoccupied and automatically reduce ventilation without requiring any action from the resident.
Automatic adjustment prevents unnecessary ventilation and reduces energy consumption. As airflow is reduced, the power consumption of the fans decreases significantly. This means that residents can simply leave the Automatic mode activated regardless of whether they are at home or away.
Automated ventilation in commercial buildings
In commercial buildings, automated ventilation is based on controlling air handling according to actual demand using automation systems, sensors, and various control methods.
Vallox Pureo air handling units can be delivered either without automation or with pre-installed automation and control equipment. The units can also be connected to building management systems (BMS) and other building automation platforms.
Ventilation can be controlled according to weekly schedules based on occupancy hours or automatically through sensors. Automation can be further expanded with presence detectors as well as humidity, CO₂, and VOC sensors. In this way, the system reacts to indoor air conditions and occupancy levels by boosting ventilation whenever necessary, without manual intervention.
Vallox sensores:
Humidity sensor detects excess moisture
Indoor humidity levels increase whenever people shower, use the sauna, dry laundry, or cook. During these situations, ventilation should be boosted to remove excess moisture and maintain fresh indoor air. Efficient moisture removal also helps prevent condensation and potential damage to building structures.
The humidity sensor continuously monitors indoor air conditions and automatically increases ventilation when needed. As humidity levels return to normal, ventilation is reduced accordingly. All MyVallox ventilation units include a built-in humidity sensor. Additional humidity sensors can also be connected, for example in bathrooms, to provide more precise control.
A carbon dioxide sensor helps to maintain healthy indoor air
People naturally produce carbon dioxide when breathing. When several people are present indoors, CO₂ levels rise and the air may start to feel stuffy and warm. This can lead to tiredness, reduced concentration, and headaches. In such situations, ventilation should be increased to remove excess carbon dioxide and supply fresh air.
The built-in CO₂ sensor monitors carbon dioxide levels and helps maintain a constant supply of fresh, oxygen-rich indoor air. Demand-controlled ventilation also prevents unnecessary over-ventilation and avoids wasting energy. All MyVallox ventilation units include an integrated carbon dioxide sensor.
In larger homes, the increased carbon dioxide concentration in a single bedroom may not significantly affect the overall CO₂ level measured at the ventilation unit. In such cases, separate room-specific CO₂ sensors can be installed in bedrooms to ensure optimal air quality throughout the night.
The VOC sensor ensures healthy indoor air
Indoor air contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are gases released from building materials, detergents, chemicals, paints and furniture. Examples of VOCs include acetone, ethanol, formaldehyde and toluene. These pollutants are not likely to be detected by the senses, but some of these emissions may cause respiratory symptoms such as hoarseness, throat irritation, coughing, asthma and bronchitis. Eye irritation and headaches may also result from exposure to VOC compounds.
It is easier to live comfortably when adults, children and pets are not exposed to these unpleasant emissions. The MyVallox VOC sensor measures the concentration of these organic compounds in indoor air and adjusts the ventilation rate according to the levels detected. The optional MyVallox VOC sensor can be connected to all MyVallox ventilation units. The sensor helps keep indoor air healthy and enables fully automatic ventilation. The sensor does not require adjustment or calibration.
The VOC sensor is also important in commercial ventilation because it responds to indoor air pollutants that cannot be detected by measuring carbon dioxide or humidity alone. In commercial buildings, organic compounds are released particularly from production processes, various materials, cleaning agents and other chemical- or material-based emissions.
Sensors can be added to Vallox Pureo air handling units at any stage of the unit’s lifecycle, making the units easy to adapt to the changing needs of a building. For example, if a commercial premises is converted from a retail store into a hair salon, it becomes important to remove chemicals generated by hairdressing processes through enhanced ventilation. Adapting to this change can easily be achieved by adding a VOC sensor.