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mystery of how to install the ducting is
A Guide to Heat
overcome, the work of assembling the pipework
is very straightforward.
Most systems are installed by plumbers and
Recovery Systems
existing labour on site. A growing network of
approved engineers is also another way to have
a system installed.
Previous attempts to install systems from
ow that whole house ventilation • Automatic summer by-pass to stop recovering schematics and rules of thumb have lead to
N
systems are firmly on the list of heat in summer. By being automatic you will systems being noisy and not efficient at
“must haves” for new build not need to manually remove the bulky heat recovering heat. For this reason it is essential to
projects, what is there to help exchanger which could be located in a far plan a system well and ensure all designs are
buyers choose between away part of the loft. comprehensive and underwritten.
available units in the market? • EC motors have the benefit of being In accordance with best practice, systems
Whole house ventilation incorporates a heat controllable to ensure systems are configured should be balanced and tested using a calibrated
exchanger for recovering heat from the exactly fro your home. airflow meter once completed. Self certification is
exhausted air of the building. The level of • Appendix Q Status permissible to save visits to site.
efficiency and overall performance of units are • Rigid ducting, preferably with rubber seals for
tested by BRE. Systems that achieve a high air tightness.
pass mark are awarded Appendix Q status. • Compatible with ground to air heat exchangers
This independent testing ensures that units with Increasingly, a number of installations are
appendix Q status are airtight, have low energy now incorporating earth pipe technology to
motors and efficient heat exchangers. pre-heat outdoor air before it is brought into the
Systems are tested using rigid ducting. building. Like all good ideas, this is really
It is imperative that rigid ducting is used to simple. The ground is a constant 10 degrees
enable the test results to be inputted in the SAP Celsius just one meter below the ground all year
calculation to claim the performance benefits. round. Using a duct that prevents any mould
If rigid ducting is not used, a default setting growth, air is brought into the property via the
must be applied for the buildings in question. ground and into the ventilation system. This
Since April 2008 the defaults have changed in has the benefit of pre warming the air in winter
SAP for MVHR systems and the implications and so adding to the efficiency of the whole
can be huge if the design has included the house ventilation system.
benefit but it is not realised on site. Cooling to the property is achieved in
Rigid ducting has the added benefit of being summer when outdoor air is then cooled using
air tight and easier to design correctly. It does the same earth pipe. It is often overlooked that
not transmit noise and is very durable. as much energy can be consumed cooling a
A useful installation check list is available property as is spent heating them.
from the SAPQ website which also gives Comprehensive computer software
guidance to the type of installation that is combined with CAD drawings enables systems
expected to be seen. The web address is to be designed efficiently. Airflows can be
www.sap-appendixq.org.uk accurately predicted and ducting layouts and
Look out for these features when choosing a sizes can be predicted and planned to ensure
heat recovery system: the installation is straightforward. Once the
115
Starkey Systems
See inside back cover for Reader Enquiry Card or go online:
www.sbhonline.eu
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