Mechanical ventilation systems are a key component of energy-efficient buildings: they ensure good indoor air quality, protect building structures, and prevent heat losses from uncontrolled window opening. Their importance is growing especially in increasingly airtight, renovated buildings, where natural ventilation through gaps and cracks in the façade is barely sufficient anymore. However, their real-world benefit strongly depends on how occupants actually accept and operate these systems in daily life. A study by Fraunhofer ISE investigated, based on a nationwide survey of 189 users of ventilation systems, which factors shape attitudes toward and satisfaction with mechanical ventilation.
Key findings: Perceived usefulness and ease of use are the strongest predictors of positive attitudes toward mechanical ventilation systems. For user satisfaction, perceived cleanliness and hygiene of the system also play an important role. Surprisingly, control options, noise level, and energy efficiency showed no statistically significant association with positive attitudes toward ventilation systems, despite being highlighted as relevant in an earlier qualitative pre-study. An intriguing contradiction emerged regarding control interfaces: although app-based control had previously been rated as less important, many respondents actually preferred touch displays and apps when choosing among concrete options, particularly younger and tech-savvy users, while older users favored simple switches for their clarity. Overall, respondents reported predominantly high satisfaction with their systems, though with some variability in individual experiences.
The study offers concrete implications for manufacturers and installers: clearly communicating the benefits and functioning of these systems, ensuring intuitive and target-group-specific operation, and providing targeted guidance on hygiene maintenance are likely to increase user acceptance and thereby support long-term, real-world energy efficiency in buildings.
