Apartment Ventilation: Why One AC Isn't Enough
The big misconception: that an AC brings in fresh air
It doesn't. A split system recirculates the same room air, cooling or heating it. Fresh outdoor air doesn't come in.
In a sealed apartment with plastic windows and closed doors, the CO₂ level rises from a normal 400 ppm to 1,500–2,000 ppm within 2 hours. What that means:
- 800–1,000 ppm — a feeling of stuffiness appears
- 1,000–1,500 ppm — reduced concentration, drowsiness
- 1,500–2,500 ppm — headache, fatigue, irritability
- Above 2,500 ppm — real discomfort, nausea
And the AC reads 22 °C all the while. The temperature is comfortable — but there's nothing to breathe.
The norm: 30 m³/h of fresh air per person
For a family of 4 that's 120 m³/h. An open window solves it, but creates new problems:
- Street noise
- Dust and pollen
- Hot air in summer — the AC runs itself ragged
- Cold air in winter — heat loss
You need a solution that supplies fresh air without these side effects.
Three solutions: from simple to advanced
A supply-air valve (200–400 GEL)
A hole in the outer wall with a filter and a damper. Passive supply of 30–50 m³/h with no electricity. Simple, cheap, reliable.
Downsides: doesn't filter fine dust, doesn't warm the air in winter, depends on the pressure difference.
A breezer (1,500–3,000 GEL)
A compact supply unit with a fan, a HEPA filter and an electric heater:
- Supplies 50–150 m³/h of cleaned air
- Filters dust, pollen and exhaust fumes
- Warms the air in winter to a comfortable temperature
- Controlled from your phone
A recuperator (2,000–5,000 GEL)
A supply-and-extract unit with a heat exchanger:
- Supplies fresh air and removes stale air at the same time
- Transfers heat from the extract to the supply — 70–90 % efficiency
- Eases the load on the AC in summer and on heating in winter
- Needs ductwork — ideal during a renovation
Fresh air without open windows
We'll pick a valve, breezer or recuperator for your layout — and install it together with the AC.
Get adviceWhat to choose for a Tbilisi apartment
- A bedroom for 1–2 people → a supply-air valve
- A living room, or a family with children or allergy sufferers → a breezer with HEPA
- A whole apartment during a renovation → a recuperator
The best setup: an AC for temperature plus a breezer or recuperator for fresh air. Two systems that complement each other. We'll help you pick the pair — message us.