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 “air tight” super insulated building envelope in a bid to stop our heat energy 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 introduce 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 a Mechanical Ventilation & Heat Recovery (MVHR) system can swap stale air for fresh air without wasting energy.

In a typical application an MVHR system draws stale moist air from kitchens, bathrooms and utility rooms, at the same time gently blowing warmed fresh air into bedrooms and living spaces. A heat exchanger transfers up to 75% of the energy from the old air to the new, reducing overall space heating bills by around 15%. 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.

Using less power than a small light bulb, an MVHR system creates an always-on low pressure air movement throughout the whole property. With complete systems from only £599, an MVHR should easily pay for itself with 3 to 5 years, yet has a life in excess of 10 if not 20.

Of all the energy saving products on the market, MVHR's are generally regarded to offer the greatest cost benefit, which is why they are about to become mandatory for new builds.

Are MVHR's 'green'?
The MVHR units offered by Solarcrest are made largely from recycled materials. The motors are low powered to extend their working life and operate from only 24w to 66w (similar to a light bulb). Filters require very little maintenance and only require cleaning once a year in hot soapy water or the dishwasher. All units have an economy, regular and boost settings.