How to maintain and clean your double flow VMC?

Here are our tips for cleaning and maintaining your double flow VMC equipment. These are simple recommendations that will allow you to maintain optimal air quality in your home.

These cleaning phases are necessary for the proper functioning of your ventilation unit , and thus maintain optimal performance of the heat exchanger, in particular motor consumption.

The two parts that are easily cleanable are:

• ventilation openings
• the filters

The risk, if these maintenance are not carried out, is the breakdown of a motor which could overheat, as well as air purity which deteriorates in your home.

5 points to check when maintaining your VMC

The exchanger of your VMC

Once a year, remember to check its condition and possibly clean it. For plate versions, cleaning with hot water is possible.

Discover the Aldes brand video tutorial on cleaning the exchanger:

Fans

3 parts to monitor: the blades, the belt (its condition and tension), anti-vibration sleeve (plan for replacement depending on wear, same for the collars).

Here is a video that shows you how to access your fans.

Air intakes and discharges

Make a visual check for the presence of dead leaves or other external elements that could interfere with good air circulation.

Cleaning VMC vents

To clean your vmc vent with water, nothing could be simpler.

Here are the tools you need to have:

• A brush or duster
• Absorbent paper or microfiber wipes

Afterwards, it's very easy, follow these two steps:

1. Clean the insufflation and extraction vents with a brush or duster
2. You can finish with absorbent paper or a microfiber cloth.

Little tip: to clean the mouths, you potentially use a cotton swab for an even more thorough result.

There you go, you have already done half of the maintenance on your VMC. To go further, please refer to your manufacturer's recommendations.

Maintenance and changing the filters of your controlled mechanical ventilation

It is recommended to vacuum them every 3 months . Some VMCs include an alarm device to warn you if they are clogged.

For this part, you definitely have what you need in terms of tools: your vacuum cleaner.

Here is the procedure to follow :

1. Put the ventilation unit on standby/turn it off
2. Wait and make sure the fans are stopped
3. Open access to filters
4. Remove old filters
5. Vacuum the side opposite the exchanger
6. Replace the new ones
7. Close the door

Here is a very simple video from the manufacturer Brink Climate Systems, specialist in double-flow vmc.

Also remember to change them every year (see every 6 months in certain polluted areas, the pollen season, the local situationwedge).

The benefits of this maintenance are perceptible on air quality and the durability of the equipment.

When is the best time to maintain your VMC?

Ideally, carry out maintenance on your controlled mechanical ventilation in the spring. After the winter period, when your installation was used a lot (we ventilate less, we stay inside our house), take advantage of the return of fine weather to clean it.

Symptoms of a Vmc that needs cleaning

• Increased operating noise
• Increased power consumption (it forces more)
• Decrease in flow
• Development of odors that did not exist before.

Without waiting for these malfunctions, remember to look at the alert messages from your vmc.

Deep cleaning of a double-flow VMC

For full maintenance of the dual flow VMC, it is recommended to carry out one every 3 to 5 years . You can call your reference installer (the one that appears on your maintenance contract if you have one), or contact us.

Its purpose is to clean, but also to carry out numerous checks linked to the proper use and performance of the machine.

Cleaning of VMC ducts

It is recommended to carry out maintenance on your ducts approximately every 5 years. The difficulty lies in the often complicated access to the conduits. It is recommended to entrust this operation to a professional.

However, if you are a good DIYer and know your installation well:

• Disconnect the central ducts
• Vacuum the dust. If the dust accumulations are significant, you may need to use a flexible
• Disinfect the sheaths
• Reinstall everything on the box

Cleaning the exchanger

The heat exchanger is the central part of your double-flow vmc. It is recommended to clean it once a year. The easiest way is to take it out and then rinse with clean water.

Complete VMC maintenance price

Depending on the condition of your installation and its model, let's count on €400 to €1,500. This is the price to continue to have healthy air and keep away odors, mold and limit pollutants.

VMC: who should do the maintenance?

The proper functioning of a VMC is the responsibility of the owner of the accommodation. While at the same time, "routine" maintenance is the responsibility of the tenants (law of July 6, 1989).

The tenant must therefore carry out regular maintenance: eliminate the dust which accumulates in the box, the filters and in the ducts. Removing the dust will allow better passage of air flows. He is primarily concerned with the quality of ventilation inside the rooms.

He must clean the air inlet vents, the fan or the extraction vent.

In the event of a breakdown, if the controlled mechanical ventilation is broken due to poor maintenance by the tenant, the owner can ask him to pay for the repairs.

It remains to be determined whether the breakage is linked to dilapidation (repair to the detriment of the owner) or poor maintenance by the tenant.

Conclusion

Good ventilation makes for a healthier home. Maintaining your system is therefore essential to avoid humidity, dust and thus the various elements for your health.

Find all of our articles concerning ventilation and air quality .

Let's consider this maintenance as an investment: this check will extend the life of your device. With the price of energy increasing, this means savings and less work!