ENERGY EFFICIENCY Heat Recovery: A
crucial step in this direction is the City of London Corporation’s recent approval of new sustainability guidance for the
built environment sector. The new Planning for Sustainability Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), provides guidance on how developers should approach the City Corporation’s sustainability policies in their planning applications, including the design and construction of buildings. Five key sustainability themes are covered in the SPD, applicable to all development proposals within the City. These include: Retrofit and Reuse; Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Energy Use; Circular Economy; Climate resilience; and Urban greening and Biodiversity. The new SPD represents a significant step in raising the sustainability bar for developers in the Square Mile.
Heat recovery ventilation
Buildings are responsible for approximately 40% of energy consumption and 35% of emissions across Europe. To meet Net Zero targets, buildings must become significantly more efficient, incorporating measures such as enhanced insulation, electrification, and sustainable materials. However, as buildings become more airtight, the challenge of maintaining good indoor air quality (IAQ) while minimising energy waste becomes critical. Heat recovery ventilation provides an effective solution by supplying fresh, filtered air while recovering heat that would otherwise be lost. This reduces overall energy consumption and supports the wider push for sustainable, low-carbon buildings.
Enhancing efficiency
Modern heat recovery ventilation systems, such as Vent-Axia’s Sentinel Apex, are designed to maximise energy efficiency while ensuring excellent IAQ. These units incorporate market-leading Specific Fan Powers (SFPs) and heat recovery efficiencies of up to 93%, reducing wasted energy and cutting carbon emissions. The integration of smart technology is also
transforming ventilation. Advanced digital controls allow for accurate full functionality commissioning and ongoing monitoring, ensuring optimal performance throughout a building’s lifecycle with on board, in-room and App-based control. Meanwhile, demand-controlled systems use CO2
sensors to adjust airflow based on occupancy levels, maintaining good IAQ while avoiding unnecessary energy use. This aligns with the requirements of Approved Document F, which mandates IAQ monitoring in commercial buildings. By combining demand ventilation with efficiency-driven design,
14 May 2025
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The future of ventilation
The UK needs to cut building carbon emissions to meet the 2050 Net Zero target. This means the construction industry must review the products it specifies and installs in projects. Louise McHugh, product manager at Vent-Axia explains that as a result heat recovery ventilation is gaining traction since it helps reduce carbon emissions, contributing to a Net Zero future
that ventilation systems remain in peak condition over their lifespan is essential for long-term energy savings and operational efficiency.
Embodied carbon
Beyond operational energy efficiency, embodied carbon is becoming an
Above: Louise McHugh, product manager, Vent-Axia
heat recovery ventilation plays an essential role in creating buildings that are both comfortable and sustainable.
Thoughtful design
One of the most significant challenges when specifying low-carbon products is avoiding energy waste. Summer bypass technology, for instance, is vital for preventing overheating in airtight buildings. However, if not correctly specified, these systems can lead to unintended energy losses. Heat recovery ventilation units featuring an integrated automatic summer bypass, like the Sentinel Apex, ensure effective free cooling when needed without compromising overall efficiency. Additionally, careful selection of filtration is essential. High-grade filters improve IAQ, but if not chosen correctly, they can increase pressure loss and energy consumption. The latest commercial heat recovery systems balance high filtration performance (through carefully specified filters) with ultra-low SFPs, ensuring filtered air without unnecessary energy use.
Specification and maintenance
Selecting the right commercial heat recovery unit is vital to maximise efficiency. Oversizing can lead to wasted energy, while undersizing may result in poor IAQ and reduced thermal comfort. To address this, manufacturers now offer cloud-based selection tools that help consultants and contractors choose the most suitable systems for their projects. Ease of installation and maintenance is another
key consideration. Heat recovery ventilation systems designed with modular components, accessible filter panels, and user-friendly controls simplify servicing and reduce downtime. Ensuring
increasingly important factor in sustainable building design. The City of London’s new guidance highlights the need to consider the full carbon lifecycle of buildings, including construction materials and long- term environmental impact. Ventilation systems must align with these principles
by minimising embodied carbon. UK-manufactured products with shorter supply chains, such as the Sentinel Apex, help reduce transportation emissions. Furthermore, fully serviceable and maintainable heat recovery ventilation units extend product life by allowing component replacement instead of full unit disposal. Manufacturers are also providing greater transparency around embodied carbon by using methodologies such as CIBSE TM65, helping specifiers make informed sustainability choices. A circular economy approach is also gaining
traction, focusing on designing products that can be repurposed, upgraded, or recycled rather than discarded. Heat recovery ventilation units with recyclable materials and modular components contribute to reducing waste and ensuring long-term sustainability.
A sustainable future
With the push towards Net Zero by 2050, the need for energy-efficient ventilation solutions is greater than ever. Heat recovery ventilation stands out as a key technology in this transition, enabling significant carbon reductions while maintaining healthy indoor environments. By focusing on energy efficiency, smart automation, and sustainable product design, the ventilation sector can make a substantial contribution to a low-carbon built environment. Ultimately, achieving Net Zero will require a
combination of cutting-edge technology, strategic specification, and long-term sustainability planning. By prioritising these elements, the industry can ensure that ventilation remains an asset rather than a challenge in creating greener, more energy- efficient buildings.
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