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Old ventilation unit replacement chart – Find the right replacement model, efficiency and savings

Writer: Mikael DenutMikael Denut
An employee of IVAeris Oy installing a new ventilation unit. He is working on the air conditioning system at a maintenance site, wearing an orange high-visibility vest with the company logo.

Find a replacement ventilation unit in the table

Modernizing your ventilation system is one of the most effective ways to improve indoor air quality and reduce energy consumption. If your ventilation unit is more than 20 years old, it is likely not meeting current energy efficiency standards and may be causing unnecessarily high operating costs. In this article, we will look at why it is worth upgrading your old ventilation unit and how new technologies offer better performance and savings.



Korvaava ilmanvaihtokonelista

Ilto 270


ILTO 270

Swegon CASA W3

⇋ Airflow (dm³/s)

60 dm³/s

70 dm³/s

Ø Outlet diameter (mm)

125 mm

125 mm

↔ Width (mm)

600 mm

600 mm

↕ Height (mm)

600 mm

750 mm

↖ Depth (mm)

600 mm

650 mm

⚓ Weight (kg)

45 kg

40 kg

Motors (W)

AC 180W

EC 100W

HRU efficiency (%)

55%

82%

Heating element (W)

500W

1000W

Ilto 430/440

Vallox Ilmava 100/120

Enervent LTR-3 85/120


Challenges of an old ventilation unit

Older ventilation systems are not designed according to current building codes and energy efficiency requirements. Mechanical ventilation: facts and challenges . The most common problems are:

  • High energy consumption – Older systems often use AC motors , which are significantly less efficient than modern EC motors , leading to higher electricity bills.

  • Poor heat recovery (HRO) efficiency – If the system was built before 2008, it is likely to have a HRO efficiency of 55–75% , meaning that a significant portion of the heat energy in the exhaust air is wasted. With new systems, HRO efficiency can exceed 85% , reducing the need for heating energy.

  • Inadequate ventilation control – Older units often do not include intelligent ventilation control, meaning they operate at the same power regardless of demand. This can lead to either insufficient ventilation or unnecessary energy consumption. Mechanical vs. Gravity Ventilation – Comparison .

  • Poor indoor air quality – Older ventilation units do not offer as effective filtration technologies as modern systems, allowing more pollutants into the indoor air. The impact of ventilation on health .



How do new ventilation units improve performance?

New ventilation units use advanced technologies to be more energy efficient, quieter, and easier to control. Key improvements include:


1. EC motors – better efficiency and lower consumption

Modern units use EC motors (Electronically Commutated Motors), which can be up to 50% more efficient than traditional AC motors.

  • Stepless adjustment: EC motors adapt to demand, while AC motors typically offer only ON/OFF modes or fixed speeds.

  • Lower energy consumption: A typical AC motor can use 50–100W more per hour than an equivalent EC motor—savings that add up annually.


2. Advanced heat recovery (HRU) – less heat loss

Older units often have a heat recovery efficiency of 55–75%, meaning 25–45% of indoor heat is lost.

  • New HRU systems can exceed 85% efficiency, recovering significantly more heat and reducing heating energy needs.

  • Improved moisture control: Many new units include moisture transfer alongside heat recovery to prevent the air from drying out in winter.


3. Automatic ventilation optimization – smart control

Built-in air quality monitoring automatically adjusts airflow based on need.

  • CO₂ and VOC sensors ensure ventilation increases when indoor pollutants rise and decreases when demand is lower.

  • Energy consumption is minimized by avoiding unnecessary full-power operation, lowering energy costs.


4. Quieter and more comfortable operation

Older units, especially those with AC motors, can be noisy.

  • EC motors run significantly quieter, avoiding unnecessary resonance.

  • Sound-insulated units and ductwork enhance comfort, particularly in apartment buildings.


An installer from IVAeris Oy is working on ventilation ducts, using an electric duct cutter to install or modify the ductwork. Ventilation pipes and installation materials are visible in the background.

Use our energy consumption calculator and compare savings

How much can you save by replacing your old ventilation unit with a new one? Use our ventilation energy consumption calculator and find out:

  • How much energy does your current ventilation system consume?

  • How much can you save with a new ventilation unit?

  • Which type of ventilation unit is best for your property?

The calculator provides a clear comparison of the energy consumption of different systems and helps you choose the solution that best suits your needs.



What services should be included when replacing an air conditioning unit?

When renewing a ventilation unit, simply replacing the unit is not enough to achieve optimal results. We recommend the following services as part of the ventilation modernization:


1. Replacing the ventilation unit

Installation should be done by a professional to ensure optimal system performance. The old ventilation unit can be directly replaced with a compatible model, minimizing the need for renovation. Add this service to your overall solution!


2. Cleaning ventilation ducts

Over the years, old ventilation ducts accumulate dust and impurities that can reduce the efficiency of the new system. Cleaning the ducts before putting a new ventilation unit into operation ensures that the system works flawlessly. Cleaning ventilation ducts – how often and why? Many people have the misconception that "disinfecting" the ducts is necessary when putting a new system into operation. This article will help you avoid unnecessary costs and misinformation: Disinfecting ventilation ducts is a scam .


3. Air volume measurement and control

When a new ventilation unit is installed, the air volumes must be adjusted for each room. Too high air flows increase energy consumption, while too low air flows cause poor indoor air quality. We recommend balancing the air volumes as part of the system upgrade. How is the air volume measurement and adjustment carried out?


Book your ventilation unit replacement today

A new ventilation unit brings energy savings, better indoor air quality and lower operating costs. Don't put off the decision any longer – improve the ventilation of your home or property now. If you are considering purchasing a new ventilation unit , contact us today . IVAeris Oy is ready – we will fix your ventilation quickly and efficiently.

 

WE KNOW, WE CARE & WE GET IT DONE


IVAeris Ltd.

010 206 3000

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