A climate-friendly solution with proven effect

As environmental regulations in the construction sector continue to tighten, the demand for energy-efficient and sustainable building solutions is increasing. Ventilation has a significant impact on a building’s overall environmental performance, making it essential to select the right system from the very beginning of the design process.

Comparison between decentralized and centralized ventilation

As climate requirements for construction become increasingly stringent, there is a growing need for solutions that are both energy-efficient and sustainable. Ventilation plays a key role in the overall climate impact of buildings – which is why it is crucial to choose the right solution from the outset.

Artelia has prepared a memo focusing on comparing the climate impact of a decentralized and a centralized ventilation solution.

The analysis is based on a primary school from the 1960s, where the following has been installed:

30 AM 1000 units
1 AM 500 unit

These units are distributed across 31 classrooms and mounted on the outer wall with intake and exhaust directly through the facade. For comparison, a fictitious central solution with an aggregate, duct system, and associated components has been developed.

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The results show a clearly difference

Decentralized solution - 0.46 kg CO₂ eq/m²/year

Centralized solution - 0.72 kg CO₂ eq/m²/year

Airmasters decentralized solution has:

36 % lower climate impact than the central solution according to BR18

The decentralized ventilation solution includes electric reheating surfaces, which is why the category “Operation, electricity for ventilation” covers contributions from both electricity for operating fans and heating surfaces.

Life Cycle Assessment Ventilations principles

Would you like to read more? Click on the link and download it.

LCA Brochure Ventilation principles

Ventilations's role in the overall construction

Ventilation accounts for a significant proportion of buildings' total CO₂ footprint. In the analysis, the central solution accounts for up to 10% of the building's total climate impact, while the decentralized solution accounts for only 6%.

This means that the overall climate impact of the building can be reduced by up to 4 percentage points by choosing decentralized ventilation. Even small percentage reductions have a significant impact over the entire life cycle of the building – especially in light of upcoming climate requirements, where the limit value for schools and institutions in 2027 may be tightened by 0.8 kg CO₂ eq/m²/year. And further in 2029.

The importance of documented data

It is important to emphasize that the results cannot be generalized to all projects or renovations.

The calculations are based on industry data and product-specific environmental data, including EPDs for Airmaster products, and the comparison is made with a realistic but fictitious central solution.

The aim is not to highlight one solution as universally better, but to show the value of documented calculations. When the climate impact is assessed on an informed basis, it becomes clearer where reductions can be achieved.

Airmaster – part of the future of sustainable construction

In a time of stricter environmental requirements and increased focus on sustainability, well-documented solutions are crucial. Airmaster's decentralized ventilation systems show how, with thoroughly documented data and energy-efficient functionality, it is possible to actively contribute to meeting the climate goals of the future.

Ventilation systems suitable for schools:

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The indoor climate at Ellemark School has significantly improved

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