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FTX ventilation maintenance — filters, schedule, and airflow
Updated 15 June 2026
FTX ventilation — mechanical supply and extract with heat recovery — is standard in many newer Swedish houses and common in retrofits. It keeps air fresh while saving energy, but only if filters are changed, ducts stay reasonably clean, and the unit is serviced on schedule. Neglected FTX means worse air, higher bills, and noise or frost problems in winter. This guide explains the basics, what you can maintain yourself, how often to act, and what to document. You do not need to be a ventilation engineer — but you do need a routine that matches your home and the installer’s recommendations.
How FTX works in your home
FTX units pull stale air from wet rooms — kitchen, bathrooms, laundry — and supply filtered fresh air to bedrooms and living spaces. A heat exchanger transfers warmth from outgoing to incoming air. Supply and extract should stay balanced; blocked filters or closed vents upset that balance and reduce comfort. Know where your unit lives — attic, utility room, or basement — and which vents serve which rooms. Mark filter sizes on the unit or in your notes. If airflow feels weak in one room, the cause is often a dirty filter, a closed damper, or duct work that needs professional cleaning — not «open a window and forget it.»
Service intervals — what usually applies
Filter changes typically happen every three to six months, depending on manufacturer, dust, and pets. Many installers recommend an annual service visit to check airflow, clean coils, inspect drains for condensate, and verify settings. Newer units may alert you on the display — still verify physically, not only on screen. Book service before winter when the system runs hardest. If you moved in recently, ask the previous owner or installer when filters were last changed and whether ducts were cleaned at install. Set calendar reminders — FTX is easy to forget because it runs quietly in the background until something goes wrong.
Filters — the maintenance you do most often
Supply air filters catch dust and pollen; extract side may have grease filters near the kitchen branch. Replace or clean per manual — washable filters need drying before reinstall. Running with clogged filters strains the fan, increases noise, and can cause frost on the heat exchanger in cold weather. Buy spare filters in advance so you change on time, not three weeks after the reminder. Note the date on each change. If someone in the household has allergies, tighter filter schedules often help more than expensive air gadgets added later.
Airflow, vents, and winter operation
Do not block supply or extract vents with furniture, curtains, or closed internal doors for long periods without transfer grilles. Wet rooms need steady extract — a bathroom without working ventilation is a mould risk even in a modern house. In winter, condensate drains must stay clear; frozen drain lines can shut the unit down or leak into the house. Short «boost» modes after showers help humidity. If the unit ices up repeatedly or rooms feel stuffy despite clean filters, call your installer — balancing and duct inspection are not DIY jobs.
Documentation and warranty
Keep installation reports, service protocols, filter types, and warranty terms. Many warranties require documented annual service. At resale, buyers of modern homes ask about ventilation history — proof of regular filter changes and service builds trust. Save PDFs and photos of the unit label with model number. Link them to your ventilation system in your maintenance records so the next technician does not start from scratch.
Checklist: FTX ventilation maintenance
Locate the unit, manual, and filter sizes — note in your home records.
Change or clean filters every 3–6 months (or per manufacturer).
Book annual service — airflow, coils, condensate drain, settings.
Keep supply and extract vents unobstructed in all rooms.
Use boost mode after showers; watch bathroom humidity.
Check condensate drain before winter — clear blockages and frost risk.
Note filter change dates and keep spare filters in stock.
Save service reports and warranty documents with the ventilation system.
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