To regularly clear cooking and bathroom steam, first choose a mechanical ventilation system that suits your ductwork, available space and the work you’re permitted to carry out in your home. A constant-flow, single-flow system maintains a steady airflow; a humidity-controlled system adjusts air renewal according to humidity, while a heat-recovery system needs two duct networks and access for filter maintenance.
If cooking and showers often create moisture, your priority is an extraction system that effectively serves the kitchen and wet rooms. ADEME points out that mechanical ventilation removes moisture continuously, and that demand increases in particular when cooking.
In an existing house or flat, the space available for the unit and ductwork, as well as access for maintenance, can determine which system is practical. France Rénov’ explains that a heat-recovery ventilation system needs two duct networks, so this is something to consider before choosing this type of unit.
Before changing an installation, check whether the project affects your rented home, shared equipment or communal areas. According to ANIL, tenants need their landlord’s written permission to make alterations, and work affecting communal areas must be authorised by the general meeting.
To compare the three types of mechanical ventilation, consider how each renews the air alongside the duct routes that are actually possible in your home.
Consider it if: you want continuous extraction at a steady rate from utility rooms and other service areas.
Bear in mind: the airflow doesn’t adjust to changes in humidity. Also check whether there’s a boost control for the kitchen and, if outdoor noise is a concern, what air inlets are provided.
Consider it if: steam levels vary with showers and cooking, and you want airflow to adjust in response to humidity.
Bear in mind: the unit alone doesn’t determine how the system works. The vents, air inlets and ductwork must all be suited to your project.
Consider it if: your project can accommodate both air supply and extraction, and heat recovery and filtering incoming air are important to you.
Bear in mind: you’ll need space for two duct networks and access to the filters for maintenance. As France Rénov’ notes, this can make some renovation projects more complicated.
| Criterion | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Steam and humidity | Identify the rooms served and the extraction vents planned. Check for a kitchen boost control or airflow adjustment according to humidity. | After a shower or while cooking, I want steam removed from the rooms where it forms. Around 42% of consumers would make this response to humidity their priority. |
| Practicality of the work | Check the existing duct network, the space for the unit and the route for the ductwork. According to France Rénov’, a heat-recovery system requires two separate duct networks. | In a home that’s already fitted out, I need to know whether the ducts can be installed and whether the planned alterations are permitted. Practicality would be the main concern for around 33% of consumers. |
| Comfort and maintenance | Compare the acoustic specifications of the model you’re considering, the air inlets provided and, for a heat-recovery system, access to the filters. | If outdoor noise bothers me or I want to filter incoming air, I also need to be able to maintain the system I choose. This balance would be the main consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
How the system works also depends on the ductwork, air inlets and extraction vents. A unit’s model number alone isn’t enough to define a system suited to every room in your home.
Ask for a complete list of the components needed for your project, and check which rooms need to be served and how the ductwork can be routed.
A heat-recovery system combines air supply and extraction. France Rénov’ says it needs two duct networks, which can be difficult to fit into an existing home.
Before choosing a model, get the possible duct routes, the unit’s location and ongoing access to the filters assessed.
The project may also involve extra ductwork, boxing-in or work to a suspended ceiling.
Qualitel explains that water ingress or poor insulation can also contribute to damp. Replacing the unit won’t necessarily address these causes.
If marks or condensation persist despite normal use and maintenance of the ventilation system, get the cause investigated before replacing it.
According to ANIL, tenants must get their landlord’s written permission to alter their home or its equipment. In a block of flats, work affecting communal areas requires authorisation from the general meeting.
Identify which duct network is involved and which components may be changed, then confirm the necessary permissions before placing an order.
Aldes offers residential EasyHOME AUTO constant-flow and EasyHOME HYGRO humidity-controlled ranges, with configurations that vary by model.
Atlantic offers, among other products, residential humidity-controlled single-flow systems and the Duocosy HR HY, which the manufacturer describes as a humidity-controlled heat-recovery system for individual homes from T3 to T7.
Unelvent offers humidity-controlled solutions for individual homes, including the OZEO HA and HB series.
According to ANIL, tenants need their landlord’s written permission to alter their home or its equipment. Before replacing a ventilation system, clarify whether the work counts as an alteration to the installation or routine maintenance.
If the work affects communal areas, ANIL says authorisation from the general meeting is required. Also check whether the project involves shared equipment and whether the existing ducts can be used. France Rénov’ notes that a lack of ductwork can make it harder to install mechanical ventilation in a block of flats.
ADEME recommends leaving the ventilation system running. If it becomes noisy, check its maintenance and get the source of the noise identified rather than blocking the air inlets or extraction vents.
It may be an option if your home has routes for two duct networks, suitable space for the unit and access to the filters. France Rénov’ warns that these requirements can make installation difficult during a renovation, particularly when an existing block of flats has no ductwork.