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VENTILATION & HEAT RECOVERY


How do you solve a problem like ineffi cient heating?


Tony Croke, Wavin’s product manager for indoor climate solutions, explores how mechanical heat recovery ventilation systems are an important piece of the UK’s heating and effi ciency puzzle


W


ith energy prices continuing to rise at an alarming rate


and an uphill struggle to get the UK’s built environment to Net Zero, the race is on to improve heating effi ciency in homes across the nation. Much of the focus from businesses, industry and


government is around fi nding a cleaner source of energy, with fuel-switching now a big part of the UK’s future of heat strategy. However, while this debate continues, it’s clear that a holistic approach is key to boosting heating effi ciency in the residential market. Improving insulation and airtightness across British homes is a key part of the solution, helping to minimise heat loss and ultimately reducing the amount of energy needed to keep a property warm. While it’s great to see more people recognise this and make investments in products that boost thermal effi ciency, there’s another issue which raises its head if air is unable to circulate in and out of properties – poor indoor air quality. In response to this, the Government has increased the ventilation air fl ow requirement in the new part F of Building Regulations.


Full of hot air


This is where ventilation contractors can play a critical role, by suggesting more innovative solutions which prevent air within a home from becoming trapped and stale, while also keeping the building thermally effi cient. Mechanical ventilation which has in-built heat


recovery functionality (MVHR) is designed to do just that. The latest technology, such as Warmafl oor’s Ventiza range, warms incoming air via a heat


exchanger whilst fi ltering out dust and pollen from the fresh air. This highly effi cient process means that the replacement fresh air can be delivered at almost 90% of the internal air temperature, helping support both a comfortable and healthy atmosphere for occupants. Whereas traditional or natural ventilation supplies air that is the same temperature as outside, MVHR can deliver a consistent fl ow of warmed fresh air – working with, rather than against, the existing heating system. The range is designed to work continuously on


‘trickle’ mode, though it can be boosted manually or automatically when higher levels of moisture are present – like when homeowners are drying clothes or running a bath.


MVHR is particularly eff ective when used with


low-temperature heating systems, such as heat pumps and underfl oor heating, because it helps avoid fl uctuations throughout the day. It’s designed to consistently keep a desired temperature and moisture level, avoiding peaks and troughs that invariably result in higher energy costs for bill-payers. By suggesting their customers take advantage of


alternative, energy effi cient systems (which work together in harmony), contractors and developers can produce a signifi cantly more sustainable space. As the industry races to deliver more low-carbon homes, it is combinations like these which may prove vital as we head to Net Zero.


Benefi ts to the end-user


So, how do you sell in MVHR to end-users who might not be too bothered about how sustainable their home is? Crucially, it’s all about reducing energy bills and creating a more comfortable living space. Incorporating a control system, such as Ventiza’s


Sentio, can further improve energy savings. It ensures residents have complete control of their entire indoor climate system. This can provoke more responsible behavior, as they’ll quickly become more aware of how much energy they are using, as well as the impact this has on their wallets. MVHR can be installed across a wide range of


applications and is available in several sizes and variations for diff erent property types, including fl ats and apartments. It also incorporates intelligent features such as frost protection, vacation setback, and summer bypass, to ensure it can be used all year-round.


Solving ineffi cient heating systems


As the debate continues over how our homes will be heated in the future, there are some key steps that can be taken in the short-term to alleviate rising energy costs and address ineffi cient heating. Adopting a whole-system approach that goes beyond just the heat source itself is one of these steps. Ventilation contractors have an important role to


play by suggesting more innovative systems and products like MVHR to their customers, helping them improve sustainability, effi ciency, and air quality.


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