Heat Recovery Ventilation

With the spiralling costs of energy, the need to conserve heat and power in the home is increasingly important. As we continually strive towards an airtight super insulated building envelope in a bid to stop our heat from escaping, we find ourselves living in a space where improved ventilation is essential.

Without adequate ventilation, contaminants such as ammonia, acetic acid, methane, nitrogen monoxide, VOC's from paints and formaldehyde from cleaning products, not to mention the dust, odours, CO2 and water vapour we produce each day, all linger in our homes and affect the health of our families. Indeed, the need for controlled ventilation is so important that a section of the building regulations, Part F, is devoted to the issue.

To improve airtightness only to then ventilate the property by opening windows is a nonsense. It's like throwing out the baby with the bath water. Why rely on natural ventilation when heat recovery ventilation can swap stale air for fresh air without wasting energy?

An MVHR draws stale moist air from kitchens, bathrooms and utility rooms into a heat exchanger, then uses the energy to gently blow warmed fresh air into bedrooms and living spaces. In a well insulated building a heat exchanger transfers up to 90% of the energy from the old air to the new, reducing overall space heating bills at the same time improving air quality. Further savings are made by removing the need for opening window casements, extractor fans and trickle vents. Dry air also costs a lot less to heat than damp air.

Typically using less electricity than a light bulb, an MVHR system creates an always-on low pressure air movement throughout the whole property. An MVHR system should pay for itself through energy savings in around 5 years and have a working life in excess of 10 if not 20 years. Of all the energy saving products on the market, MVHR's are generally regarded to offer the greatest return on investment. They're good for your health, your wallet and the environment.

How 'green' are MVHR's?
The MVHR units offered by Solarcrest are made largely from recycled materials. Where possible we source products from the UK or EU. The motors are extremely low powered to extend their working life and typically require less electricity than a standard light bulb. Filters require very little maintenance and only require cleaning/vacuuming once or twice a year. All units have a trickle and boost setting if required, not that you'll need to control the system on a day-to-day basis. Typically the unit will run on economy setting 24x7 with little or no attention. An MVHR is very much a fit and forget item.