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How to turn the basement rooms into comfortable living spaces

How to turn the basement rooms into comfortable living spaces

In existing properties, the available space in the basement can be used as a living or recreation room. However, these spaces often pose challenges in terms of air quality and ventilation. In this article, we will show you how ZILA can help you equip your basement with ventilation and dehumidification controls in order to improve the air quality.

The term basement always refers to a floor that is completely (cellar floor) or partially (half-down level) below the earth's surface where the available space is prepared for living or for permanent occupation of people. For example, the basement could be used as a sports or hobby room, a party room or even as a flat.

Using the basement as living space

When modernising and renovating existing properties, the structural conditions in the cellar or basement must always be considered. Condensing moisture in combination with cold exterior walls can cause mould growth. Often, the consequences are musty and unpleasant smells. If the room is part of a residential property with a kitchen and bathroom, these additional sources of moisture should not be underestimated.

Poor air quality and moisture in the basement

When modernising and renovating existing properties, the structural conditions in the cellar or basement must always be considered. Condensing moisture in combination with cold exterior walls can cause mould growth. Often, the consequences are musty and unpleasant smells. If the room is part of a residential property with a kitchen and bathroom, these additional sources of moisture should not be underestimated.

Please visit our topic page on cellar dehumidification for more information:  kellerentfeuchten.com

ZILA GmbH

If the odour nuisance and moisture damage do not constitute structural defects, this is not a reason against using the basement as additional living space, a hobby room or a party room.

Basement dehumidification by determining the absolute humidity

Ventilation concept of our climate controls

With our products, we from ZILA have been contributing to building protection and maintaining a comfortable feel-good climate for more than 20 years.

Our solutions for this are diverse: From compact sensors for temperature, humidity and CO2 (carbon dioxide) to intelligent, automatic controls for supply and exhaust air elements of any kind. While considering the actual climatic conditions inside a room and outside a building, our climate controls ensure controlled and automatic ventilation of the basement. 

Needs-based and user-independent basement dehumidification with our climate control KST-20 Vento explained in the following video.
[Please make sure the English subtitles are activated.]

Monitoring the absolute humidity sustainably reduces the humidity in the basement flat and keeps the air quality in the room at a healthy level - even when the user is absent. Our dehumidification units are equipped with an indoor and an outdoor climate sensor. By comparing the absolute humidity of the outdoor air with the indoor air, dehumidificqation is carried out reliably and sustainably.

For more information on our ventilation and dehumidification technology, please click here: aH-Controlled technology

Overview ventilation system basement dehumidification

 Exhaust air fan Aero_aH100 with integrated dehumidification control

Measurands Temperature, humidity, absolute humidity (aH-Controlled)
Type of device
  • Exhaust air fan with integrated indoor and outdoor climate sensor
  • Integrated dehumidification control with aH-Controlled technology
  • Built-in electronics to connect an additional supply air fan
Device behaviour
  • Continuous temperature and humidity measurement
  • Dehumidification on the basis of absolute humidity comparison
  • Manual ventilation process can be performed by pressing a button on the housing
Intended use Automated, needs-based and controlled room ventilation and dehumidification
Space utilisation Basement flats, garages, party or hobby rooms, adjoining rooms, laundry rooms, sanitary areas
Product details

Exhaust air fan Aero_aH_100

 Climate control KST-20 Calima

Measurands Temperature, humidity, absolute humidity (aH-Controlled)
Type of device
  • Climate control with aH-Controlled technology for room dehumidification
  • Integrated electronics for controlling supply and exhaust air elements
  • Activation of 230 volt or speed-controlled fans (one-step and two-step) possible
Device behaviour
  • Continuous temperature and humidity measurement
  • Dehumidification on the basis of absolute humidity comparison
  • Buttons for operation and configuration
Intended use Automated, needs-based and controlled room ventilation and dehumidification
Space utilisation Cellars, laundry and drying rooms, basements, living spaces (according to DIN 1964-6), meeting and classrooms, sports halls and gyms
Product details

Climate control KST-20 Calima

 Climate control KST-20 Vento *recommendation*

Measurands Temperature, humidity, absolute humidity (aH-Controlled), radon (optional), CO2 (optional)
Type of device
  • Climate control with aH-Controlled technoloy room ventilation, dehumidification and cooling
  • Integrated electronics for controlling supply and exhaust air elements
  • Optionally available with air quality monitoring or radon ventilation
  • Able to control common one- and two-step 230-volt and 0...10-volt actuators such as fans, ventilation flaps, electric window openers
Device behaviour
  • Continuous temperature and humidity measurement
  • Dehumidification on the basis of absolute humidity comparison
  • Manual ventilation process can be performed by pressing a button on the housing
Intended use Automated, needs-based and controlled room ventilation and dehumidification; room ventilation for air quality improvement; radon ventilation
Space utilisation Cellars, archives, museums, churches, production halls, server rooms, living spaces (according to DIN 1964-6), meeting and classrooms, sports halls and gyms
Product details

KST-20 Vento - Ventilation, dehumidification, cooling

Air quality monitoring in the basement

One of the determining factors for the (indoor) air quality is the measured CO2 (carbon dioxide) concentration. This is particularly important for basement rooms, as the CO2 there can hardly mix with fresh air from outside. The reason for this is that concentrated CO2 is heavier than air and can therefore accumulate near the floor.

CO2 is measured in ppm (parts per million). This corresponds to the CO2 content in a given total volume of air. The maximum value for indoor rooms is 1,200 ppm (Pettenkofer value). If this value is reached, ventilation should be carried out immediately since elevated CO2 concentrations can have negative effects on the well-being of room users.

The influence of CO2 on the air quality

Humans are incapable of detecting carbon dioxide because the gas is colourless and odourless, which is why technical solutions are necessary for this.

Devices for monitoring air quality and dehumidification

The following products are specially designed to meet the requirements for living and working areas and can therefore be used in basement flats, but also in other rooms.

Devices to improve the air and CO2 quality in the basement 

 Air quality guard LGW-13

Measurand CO2 (carbon dioxide)
Type of device Air quality traffic light with CO2 sensor, acts as a control device for a 24-volt exhaust element
Device behaviour
  • Optical and acoustic warning device for excessive CO2 concentrations
  • Triggers ventilation devices when the CO2 limit value is reached
Intended use
  • Displays the CO2 concentration via its traffic light function
  • Automated control of a 24-volt exhaust air fan
  • Acoustic warning signal
Space utilisation Classrooms, office spaces, party cellars, hobby rooms, garages, basement flat
Product details Air quality guard LGW-13 (IAQ)

 

COswitch CSC-20 YUGO

Measurand CO2 (carbon dioxide)
Type of device Control unit with integrated CO2 sensor for several supply and exhaust air elements
Device behaviour
  • Continuous CO2 concentration measurement
  • Initiates the activation and deactivation of the connected actuators when the set CO2 limit value is exceeded or undercut
Intended use
  • CO2 leakage detection
  • Control of motorised exhaust air flaps in exhaust air ducts
  • Automatic ventilation
  • Improving air quality
Space utilisation Larger party and hobby rooms, garages, meeting rooms,
industrial plants, machine complexes, heating rooms, CHPs
Product details CO2 control CSC-20 YUGO

 

Climate control KST-20 Vento/CO2

Measurands CO2, temperature, humidity, absolute humidity (aH-Controlled)
Type of device
  • Comprehensive climate control
  • CO2 and absolute humidity measurement (temperature and relative humidity)
  • Parameter configuration via display and operating keys for climate value indication
  • Automatic and controlled activation of supply and exhaust air elements
Device behaviour
  • Continuous CO2 concentration measurement und automatic ventilation
  • Dehumidification on the basis of absolute humidity comparison
  • Integrated timer
  • Adjustable parameters
  • Comfort functions: Dry and frost protection
Intended use Room dehumidification and ventilation depending on the CO2 concentration
Space utilisation Cellars, archives, museums, churches, meeting and classrooms, sports halls and gyms
Product details KST-20 Vento with air quality monitoring function

ZILA is a specialist in the fields of pressure, climate, leakage and ventilation. With more than 20 years of market experience in building services engineering and mechanical and plant engineering, we have extensive expertise in building ventilation and dehumidification.

Last modified onWednesday, 26 May 2021 13:26