Roof fans

The roof fan should be selected based on the ventilation needs of the building or property. The quick selection table for VILPE roof fans can be used to select a roof fan for an ordinary detached house. To select a suitable roof fan, the pressure caused by the duct system and the necessary air volumes must be known. When the operation point of the roof fan has been determined, the most suitable roof fan for the intended use can be selected by examining roof fan performance value tables. A model that consumes the least energy and emits the least noise at the specific operation point should be chosen. An ECo roof fan must be selected for room ventilation, because only the ECo series of roof fans meets the requirements of ecological design regulations.

Passive ventilation can be upgraded to mechanical ventilation using roof fans from the ECo series in combination with the ECo Ideal Wireless system. ECo Ideal is an automatic and demand-controlled roof fan control system. It can also be used for ventilation in recreational homes, warehouses and garages.

New buildings commonly use a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery. When renovating older buildings, we recommend the VILPE ECo Ideal Wireless control system. ECo Ideal is an automatic regulation system for roof fans, which adjusts ventilation according to indoor air quality by removing excess moisture and carbon dioxide. To complete the ventilation system, supply air is also needed to replace the bad air. This can be done with an intake vent: for example, the VILPE Wive. ECo Ideal is also suitable for ventilation in recreational homes, warehouses and garages.

VILPE E-series roof fans can be used with cooker hoods designed for external fans with AC-powered blower control capability. If the range hood is capable of controlling an EC-model roof fan (0–10V DC), VILPE ECo series roof fans should be used with it. Be sure to check the duct size and control with the cooker hood manufacturer.    

The VILPE ECo 110 FLOW roof fan is controlled by an external control panel. It is suitable for applications where separate alarm data is required. The rotational speed can also be controlled by the house automation system at a voltage of 0–10 V.

The VILPE ECo 110 roof fan is controlled by an internal potentiometer regulator, so there is no need for a separate control panel.  

It is important to remember that electrical installations may only be carried out by authorised companies.

The ECo110 FLOW can be controlled with an external control panel, and the VILPE ECo motor control panel can be used for regulation.

For ventilation purposes, the appropriate control panel system must always be used. The VILPE ECo Ideal Wireless roof fan system is a wireless, demand-controlled ventilation control system.

For non-dwelling ventilation purposes, the VILPE ECo motor control panel for both surface and flush mounting is a suitable choice. The range also includes a pressure control panel to maintain the desired pressure difference in the duct or between different areas.

A thyristor or step transformer regulators intended for AC fans can also be used with VILPE E fans. Make sure that the control panel’s power range corresponds to the fan's motor power. VILPE motor control panel models are available for both surface and flush mounting.

The roof fan can also be adjusted with a cooker hood. Check with the hood manufacturer for the correct type of roof fan. Learn about VILPE roof fan control panels here.

The electrical specifications of VILPE ECo roof fans and further information on the fans and their performance values are available on our website, from the price list, and in the VILPE Roof Fans and Exhaust Pipes brochure.

There are two cables in every VILPE ECo fan: one is used to supply 230 V electricity to the roof fan, and the other provides a coupling for the roof fan’s control panel. Please see the installation instructions for more information on couplings: Wiring diagrams for VILPE ECo roof fans (ECo 110 + ECo 190, ECo 220, ECo 250)

NOTE! Electrical installations may only be carried out by professional electricians.

VILPE ECo roof fans can be connected to the building's technology system if the system has the capability to control rotation speed with 0–10 V DC voltage. An alarm can be provided using the VILPE ECo Monitor operation monitor. The operation monitor emits an alarm as output data if the rotation speed falls below 200 rpm.

The pulse data received from the VILPE ECo roof fan can also be connected to the building’s technology system, in which case alarm limits can be integrated into this system. The pulse data is generated by an open collector, with a maximum input voltage of 47 V. This must be checked with the system supplier. There is one pulse per revolution of the roof fan, and the alarm limit can be set at various values (e.g. 300 rpm).

NOTE! Electrical installations may only be carried out by professional electricians.

Wiring diagram for VILPE ECo roof fans.

VILPE ECo high-performance specifications, additional information on roof fans, and their performance are available on our website and in our pricelist.

NOTE! Electrical installations may only be carried out by professional electricians.

Warm air normally rises via ducts and gaps in a building's internal structures, while cold air moves downwards. When a cold surface and warm air come together, and the relative humidity is 100 per cent, a dew point is formed, causing water to drip from the ducts.

How to solve the problem:

• Check that the ducts are properly insulated. Insulation thickness on ducts in cold spaces must comply with building regulations. The thickness of the rockwool insulation on the ducts must be at least 150 mm.
• Check that ventilation in the apartment has been adjusted correctly. Usually, ventilation should be adjusted so that there is about 3–5 Pa of negative pressure. If the problem cannot be eliminated by adjusting ventilation and insulating the ducts, the range hood should be fitted with a fully closing damper. This prevents humidity from rising into the duct and condensing.

If the fan has frozen up and cannot rotate freely, the automatic thermal relay switches on to prevent the fan from breaking down. When the ice has melted, the thermal relay is reset, and the fan is again operable. The easiest way to defrost a frozen fan is to blow warm air into the duct: for example, with a hairdryer.

If the roof fan is switched off immediately after cooking, a large amount of steam and warm air will remain in the ducts. Water vapour condenses in the ducts and the fan motor, forming ice in cold weather. The next time the fan is used, the ice melts, and water drips from the ducts onto the stove. The fan should be kept running as long as possible after cooking so that the ducts have enough time to dry. The best way to prevent condensation is to keep the fan on constantly at low power.

The normal service life of VILPE roof fans is 15 to 20 years. The motors have a long service life, and they seldom break down prematurely.

The most common reason for reduced fan power is breakage of the capacitor. It is quite easy to change the capacitor, but this should be done by an electrician.

If increased sound is heard from the rotor at higher speeds, there may be a bearing fault. A maintenance set is available for each fan model. The maintenance set includes the motor and the capacitor.

In many cases, a range hood with an internal blower can be replaced with a range hood which requires an external blower, thereby converting the exhaust pipe into a roof fan. This makes the kitchen much quieter.

If there is a need to convert an exhaust pipe into a roof fan, we recommend that the exhaust pipe be completely replaced with a VILPE roof fan. The whole package is then ready for operation without the need for additional testing or separate wiring. Waterproofing can only be ensured by means of a readymade component.

The cowl of the most widely used ventilation exhaust pipe, the Ø 125 mm pipe, can be replaced with the VILPE S series VILPE E120S roof fan. The cowl of the exhaust pipe is removed and replaced by a fan that is attached to the exhaust pipe from its lower part with three screws.

Converting an exhaust pipe of Ø 160 mm into a roof fan using the VILPE E220S fan is slightly more difficult, because in addition to removing the cowl, the plastic cone-shaped air deflector between the exhaust pipe and the cowl must also be removed.

It must be noted that in the case of conversions, a separate pass-through must also be provided in the roof for the fan’s electric wire. According to fire regulations, electric wires cannot be directed to the controller via the duct system. In many cases, a hole is made in the plastic pass-through for the electric wire, and the gaps are then sealed using a cable pass-through and sealing mass.

NOTE! Electrical installations in connection with changes and installations may only be carried out by professional electricians.

VILPE E series roof fans are AC-powered fans. VILPE ECo series roof fans represent next-generation fan technology which is quieter and more energy-efficient than AC models. EC is an abbreviation for ‘Electronically Commutated’, which in the case of a roof fan means a fan with a brushless DC motor. DC motors are about 30 per cent more powerful than AC motors.

See the sections “What criteria should I use when selecting a VILPE roof fan for exhaust air ventilation?” and “Which VILPE roof fans can be used with a cooker hood?”.

The lower pressure drop in FLOW products reduces the power consumption of the ventilation unit. In addition, the roof fans in the series are EC-controlled and have a service switch.

FLOW products have:

• State-of-the-art water separation
• Up to 40 percent less pressure loss (for exhaust pipes) compared to older models
• Modern design

A service set should be selected based on the roof fan model, which can be seen on the cowl’s number plate. For example, the E190/E120 service set is suitable for the VILPE E120 and E190 roof fans. Likewise, the ECo220 service set is suitable for the VILPE ECo220 roof fan.

If the number plate has faded or you are unable to find it, the motor type is marked underneath the motor.