Rating of the best supply valves for 2022

The main purpose of plastic windows is to protect the living space from street dust and dirt, as well as from extraneous noise. In addition, they reliably retain heat, providing the level of comfort necessary for life. But, unfortunately, these PVC structures are not without certain drawbacks. For example, providing maximum tightness, they prevent natural air circulation. To correct this unfortunate omission and open access to fresh air in the room, a special ventilation valve was invented.

General information about the design

The ventilation valve (it is also a supply valve, it is also an air clinket) is mounted on an already delivered window unit. Its design includes:

• Air intake - an external module equipped with a special visor that prevents dust, fluff, small insects and precipitation from entering the room;
• Retractable working channel for air flow - mounted in the profile and fastened with a sleeve;
• The standard filter, adjusting mechanism and outlet nozzle are internal elements responsible for changing the intensity of the air flow.

In its appearance and essence, it is an ordinary gap in the window, in which there are dampers, with the help of which the air flow is regulated.

Functioning scheme

The supply valve is a passive ventilation module for plastic windows. For its full functioning, i.e. full air circulation, the outside temperature must be from +5 degrees Celsius and below. Under these conditions, a pressure difference will be created outside the window and in the room. At the same time, the natural absorption of oxygen into the room from the outside will be maximally facilitated. At the same time, the warm air from the apartment will go outside.If the specified temperature conditions are not reached, then the air circulation through the supply valve can only be carried out by force.

Thus, for the full operation of the structure, the following criteria must be present:

• Installed indoor exhaust ventilation system;
• Hermetic closing of the front door;
• The possibility of exchanging airflow between rooms in the apartment with the doors wide open or through cracks with a height of 20 centimeters or more.

The need for installation on PVC windows

The organization of a competent ventilation system is the key to creating a comfortable microclimate inside the premises. In this case, it is important that new air enters the premises on a permanent basis, and the old, polluted and with a high content of carbon dioxide, is removed outside. In the old days, when wooden window blocks were commonly used, this was achieved to some extent with the help of gaps in the frames, which were formed over time. Modern PVC structures have already been spared from such an ailment, therefore, due to their tightness, such a method of natural ventilation is impossible.

For this purpose, supply valves were developed, designed to ensure the creation of the most comfortable microclimate in a room with double-glazed windows. Of course, you can open the window sash wide open, but sometimes this is not possible due to the extremely low temperature outside. And if you do not ventilate the room at all, then humidity can increase in it, which will cause the formation of black mold. In addition, the air inside will be stale and suffocating, and the people there will begin to experience oxygen starvation, which will directly affect their general well-being and performance.

Therefore, the method of full ventilation has its significant disadvantages:

• When the window is open, the room becomes cold and noisy;
• Drafts immediately arise, because air flows are poorly regulated through the opening angle of the sash;
• At the same time, there is a problem of dust or precipitation from outside.

Advantages and disadvantages of forced ventilation

The undoubted advantages include the following factors:

• Through the permanent circulation of air masses, oxygen is continuously supplied to the room;
• There are no drafts as a phenomenon (a particularly important point for children's rooms);
• A healthy climate is created in the apartment;
• With a constant air flow, condensation is impossible and, accordingly, there are no prerequisites for the development of mold and fungi;
• With the help of the design, it is possible to adjust the level of air supply;
• The device practically does not reduce the area for the light opening;
• Noise and heat-insulating properties of a double-glazed window are not reduced;
• Ease of installation and operation.

However, it is worth mentioning a few disadvantages, which are rather situational and variational in nature:

• Models with mechanical control need periodic adjustment, which will depend on the external weather conditions, the number of people in the room, etc. Moreover, the control of the mechanics is located on the upper part of the window frame and you still need to reach it;
• At low temperatures and an abundance of precipitation in winter, freezing of external elements is possible;
• In the absence of a filter, the valve can let in fluff, dirt, dust from the street.

Selection of the supply and ventilation valve

In order to choose the right air clinket for your double-glazed window, certain parameters must be observed. First of all, it concerns the material.Devices are made not only of plastic, but also of metal and wood. Thus, it is desirable that the material of the clinket matches the material of the profile. For example, a metal version is suitable for industrial aluminum profiles, and a plastic one for PVC.

Next, you should choose a flow control option: a mechanical one will cost less, an automatic one requires less attention, but it costs more. Models from the budget segment are not equipped with adjustment at all, they can only limit the penetration of air in gusty winds.

Additionally, when choosing a clinket, you should pay attention to the following points:

• The easiest to install are folded and slotted valve samples;
• The adjustment option should be selected based on the number of people usually in the room where the device is supposed to be installed;
• Some models of clinkets can be bulky and stand out against the background of the window frame, more expensive samples can quietly fit into the overall interior of the room - it all depends on the desire of the buyer.

Varieties of supply clinkets for PVC windows

Folded

They are distinguished by a weak throughput (about 5 cubic meters of air per hour), however, they provide maximum sound insulation. To increase the productivity of the folding system, experts recommend installing two devices at once on one window unit. Also, their advantages include:

• Acceptable price;
• Possibility of installation without dismantling the window block;
• Ease of installation;
• Possibility of subsequent automation of control;
• In most cases, humidity sensors are immediately included with such clinkets.

As a result, folded models are good for periodic ventilation with a sufficient level of heat retention in the room.

slotted

The standard dimensions of this device have the following indicators: width - from 17 to 40 centimeters, height - from 12 to 16 centimeters. Usually performed as a universal block, but there are also separate types with external and internal modules. They gained popularity among buyers due to their affordable price and good throughput. Among other things, their advantages include:

• Permissibility of installation without removing the window unit;
• After installation, the noise and heat insulation of the window is not lost;
• Availability of good throughput (up to 20 cubic meters per hour).
• It is worth noting that for the installation of a double block of the slotted valve, its milling will be required. However, this applies only to models from the economy class.

Automatic and manual

Manual clinkets are the cheapest option. Adjustment is made by moving the knob on the valve body. At the same time, the features of the microclimate in the room are taken into account by the user independently.

There are four possible positions for the control knob:

• Central - air flows in all directions;
• Bottom - air goes only down;
• Top - air passes only on top;
• “Closed” position - the air flow into the room is completely blocked.

In models with automatic control, there is a built-in humidity sensor, thanks to which the clinket independently regulates the intensity of the air flow into the room.

Overhead

Outwardly, they are handles on PVC windows and replace the usual ones, so they install such devices on new double-glazed windows. Their features include:

• Most often, adjustment to the frames and sashes of a double-glazed window is necessary;
• Usually used for non-residential premises (warehouses, retail and production areas, etc.);
• Have a reinforced version of the filter;
• Possess reduced soundproofing properties;
• Their installation is possible both in deaf and in the opened window blocks.

An undoubted plus is the huge throughput - up to 100 cubic meters per hour.

Ventilation control

The ventilation clinket can have an automatic or manual opening mode. In the latter case, the user, by changing the position of the curtain, independently achieves stabilization of the flow of air masses. He also monitors the duration of ventilation (if overlooked, it is quite possible to freeze the room).

In the automatic mode of opening the curtains, action is possible according to two schemes:

• Adjustment of the position of the shutter is determined by a polyamide sensor - in conditions of high humidity, the flow area increases, and in case of low humidity, it decreases;
• The air supply level is set based on the difference in pressure inside and outside the room, while the opening range of the shutter is determined by the user.

With all the advantages of smart automatic flow valves, they often simply do not have the function of completely blocking the ventilation. Moreover, their prices are far from small.

Features of the choice of some technical parameters

First of all, you should not focus on heavy-duty models - their exorbitant power may simply be unclaimed. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the required bandwidth. It depends on the flow area and the resulting pressure difference at the inlet/outlet.Thus, a 15 cubic meter per hour device at 10 Pascals will not necessarily pass more oxygen than a 12 cubic meters per hour model at 5 Pascals. There is no universal volume of air exchange - everything is calculated individually, but experts say that a standard office cabinet will have enough power of 20-35 cubic meters per hour at 10 Pascals.

It is worth recalling that after installing the clinket, the level of sound insulation in the room should not change. However, it can be improved further by purchasing a damper model with noise-protective inserts (a kind of acoustic labyrinth inside the structure that dampens sound vibrations), which reduce noise when the device is operating in the air supply mode. Thus, the standard 30 - 35 decibels, which is provided by the double-glazed window itself, can be reduced to 15 decibels by means of inserts on the valve.

It must also be remembered that water vapor can be released through the valve openings, which in winter will certainly lead to icing of the device and the risk of its subsequent breakdown. In this case, it is better to take care of the so-called "thermal break" - this is another insert in the clinket between the external and internal modules, made of plastic, designed to prevent ice formation.

For the warm season, it is desirable to use replaceable mesh filters in order to prevent large insects from entering the valve channels.

Ventilation systems - turnkey solutions

If you focus on budget options, then the simplest are climatic valves. They are easy to install, they don’t make much noise during operation, but they still reduce the physical sound insulation of the window block, although this is not particularly felt.Caring for such a system is quite simple - it only needs to be cleaned every six months before the onset of warm / cold periods. Dust is removed with a damp cloth or vacuum cleaner; it is not recommended to wash the channels with household chemicals.

In the middle segment, it is especially popular wall inlet valve, which is installed by drilling holes in the wall. This system has an increased capacity (up to 50 cubic meters per hour). There are models equipped with a filter that purifies the incoming air at a mechanical level - they trap small fractions of dust and dirt, insects, fluff, etc. The disadvantage may be that during unskilled installation, during the onset of low temperatures, the valve installation site may freeze, and air heating is not provided in this system.

Another bright representative of the middle segment can be called mechanical ventilation system. It is similar to a wall one, but it has an additional fan for blowing air, so its capacity can reach from 40 to 120 cubic meters per hour. However, this system is not equipped with filters.

In the upper segment are expensive systems called "breezers". Their main advantages:

• Have climate control;
• Air purification takes place according to a three-stage scheme;
• There is a recirculation mode, due to which the air inside the room is cleaned;
• High productivity - from 30 to 140 cubic meters per hour;
• The possibility of heating the air;
• Maintaining the soundproofing mode at a level of up to 19 decibels.

The same systems are distinguished by the speed of installation, if it is installed by qualified specialists - no more than an hour.Their downside is their extremely high cost.

Rating of the best supply valves for 2022

For PVC structures

2nd place: Air-Box Comfort

The model provides the normative air flow required for a standard room in an apartment. Maintains heat and sound insulation well. Perfectly compatible with all types of tilt-and-turn PVC windows. Provides smooth regulation of air flow.

Name	Index
Manufacturer country	China
Width, mm	44
Height, mm	20
Length, mm	355
Weight, grams	75
Price, rubles	500

• Installation does not require window milling;
• Confident protection against the formation of fungus and mold;
• Maintaining the normative circulation of air masses.

• The need to replace the standard seal in the window with a special one.

1st place: Aereco EFM 1289

Standard self-adjusting valve for a plastic window. Unlike other models, the incoming air masses are not directed vertically upwards, but at a certain angle relative to the window, which prevents the formation of ice in cold weather. It has a good level of thermal insulation, maintains the set mode of suppression of sound vibrations.

Name	Index
Manufacturer country	France
Width, mm	50
Height, mm	25
Length, mm	390
Weight, grams	120
Price, rubles	1200

• Democratic price;
• Large flap opening angle;
• Increased thickness.

• During installation, additional window milling will be required

With adjustable feed

2nd place: Maico ALD 125/125 VA

A popular model from a European manufacturer. By fine-tuning the damper setting variability, air exchange can be adjusted between 30 and 125 cubic meters per hour.Comes with insect net and extra sleeve. The design uses the latest G-2 air filter.

Name	Index
Manufacturer country	Germany
Air exchange, cubic meters/hour	30 to 125
Air filter	G-2
Diameter, mm	125
Depth, mm	500
Price, rubles	11000

• Good complete set;
• Elegant appearance;
• Soundproofing materials are used in the design.

• Small service area - 30 square meters

1st place: Vents PS 101

The modern model of the valve is designed to ensure efficient circulation of oxygen both in domestic premises and in production. The grilles are made of high quality ABS plastic. The special design of the open section allows for a uniform and smooth intake of the air volume. Thanks to its discreet design, it fits perfectly into any interior.

Name	Index
Manufacturer country	Ukraine
Air exchange, cubic meters/hour	45
Air filter	G-3
Diameter, mm	103
Depth, mm	305
Price, rubles	1700

• Eco-friendly and compact body;
• Improved filter;
• Quiet work.

• Insulation not included, sold separately

With mechanical ventilation

2nd place: KPV-125 (KIV-125)

This valve has a democratic design and demonstrates average performance in operation. It has a rather noisy fan. The control of the valve is simplified: a cord is specially brought out, with the help of which the position of the damper is adjusted. In the cold season, the model showed good thermal insulation properties.

Name	Index
Manufacturer country	Russia
Filter class	F5
Dimensions, mm	400x200x100
Diameter, mm	133
Price, rubles	2500

• Democratic price;
• Relatively easy installation process for a specialist;
• Great for dealing with condensation.

• The exterior may be out of harmony with the interior.

1st place: Vakio Kiv

This valve is designed for installation as part of a wall system. Mechanical ventilation is provided by an ultra-quiet fan that evenly blows air inside. The built-in filter does not let small fractions of dirt and fluff with dust into the serviced room. Thanks to its modest design, it fits perfectly into the interior.

Name	Index
Manufacturer country	Russia
Filter class	F6
Dimensions, mm	470x222x94
Diameter, mm	132
Price, rubles	4900

• Excellent ratio in the category "price / quality";
• Super quiet fan operation;
• Guaranteed absence of drafts.

• Not detected

Instead of an epilogue

The modern market for supply valves allows you to choose a model for every taste and budget. Experts advise purchasing these devices through online trading platforms, which will significantly save money. Models from Western manufacturers are considered popular, however, domestic brands have long been producing analogues that are not nearly inferior to Western ones, but at significantly lower prices. At the same time, the installation of this equipment (whether models for PVC windows or for wall systems) must be carried out by specialists so that there is no loss in heat and sound insulation if installed incorrectly.