Ventilation
Ventilation assures clean indoor air in the flats. Nearly all Elli buildings have mechanical ventilation. The kitchens often have a range hood, equipped with a grease filter, through which exhaust air exits. The roof exhaust fans and the exhaust air vents of the flats have been so adjusted that the ventilation of the building is in balance. Obstructing or readjusting the vents will upset this balance, changing the ventilation of the whole building. The incoming air needed to replace the air removed by the exhaust fans enters the flats through slots in the unsealed top parts of the window frames in older buildings and through the incoming air vents installed into the outer walls or built into the window frames in newer buildings.
INCOMING AIR VENTS
The ventilation of the flat functions properly if the vents are open and in working order. The incoming air vents must not be obstructed.
The incoming air vents contain a filter to catch coarse dust. The smallest dust particles get through ordinary filters. The filter needs to be cleaned or replaced when it has gathered so much dirt that the incoming air flow is hindered. How often this operation needs to be done depends on how clean the outdoor air is at the location. It is recommended that the filters be cleaned 2 – 4 times a year. The cleaning of the filters is the responsibility of the tenant. Their replacemant is the concern of Elli maintenance.
Most incoming air vents allow the air flow to be adjusted. In normal circumstances, keep the vents completely open. If you feel unpleasant drafts in cold weather and strong wind, you can turn the vents down, but do not close them. And don’t forget to turn the vents up again after the weather has become milder.
EXHAUST AIR VENTS
The regular cleaning of the exhaust air vents located in the kitchen and the bathroom is the responsibility of the tenant. The exhaust air vents of the kitchen are above the kitchen stove. The vents readily gather dust and, in the kitchen, grease, between the frame and the plate.
If the indoor air in the flat feels stuffy or the windows frost, clean the exhaust air vents first. Then make sure that the incoming air vents are open and remove any self-installed extra sealing from the upper parts of the window frames. You can easily test the functioning of the exhaust air ventilation by means of a piece of paper. Cover the exhaust air vent with a piece of paper. If the airflow is as it should be, it will keep the piece of paper in place, whereas too strong an airflow tends to suck it into the duct. If there is not enough suction to keep the piece of paper over the exhaust air vent, file a notice of defects.
The cleaning of the exhaust air vent:
- Turn the outer ring.
- Give the vent a tug and pull it out. N.B. Do not change the position of the inner part, for it has been set for the right amount of air.
- Wash the vent with liquid detergent and wipe it dry.
Remount the vent by inserting it into the air pipe and turning it clockwise. Take care not to damage the gaskets or change the settings.
RANGE HOODS
The range hood effectively collects the steam and smoky smells resulting from cooking. To prevent grease and other impurities from getting into the air ducts, it contains a grease filter and must not be used without it. The grease filter must be cleaned regularly. To clean it, detach it and wash it with warm water and dishwashing liquid. Let it drain, then remount it tightly. When you detach the grease filter for cleaning, also check whether the inside of the range hood and the vent are clean. If they are dirty, clean them as well.