PHAM NEWS | APRIL 2026 34 Energy SavingProducts


 The Zehnder range of ComfoAir MVHR units are designed to provide balanced whole-house ventilation and can be tailored to meet the needs of a variety of properties


and polluted air out of indoor environments and meticulously fi ltering the air that it draws in to provide a steady fl ow of fresh air inside. In this way, it works as the lungs of a building. But it also helps to make our


buildings more energy effi cient. The heat recovery component recovers the heat gained in the stale air it draws in. It then uses that recovered heat to warm the supply air back into the building. This means that the heating system doesn’t have to start from scratch every time when it comes to heating the building, therefore saving energy that would otherwise be used from the radiator’s performance load. MVHR is a shining example


Solutions that work in harmony


If we want to aspire to healthy, energy-effi cient living spaces, then we need to adopt a systems-based approach, where insulation, ventilation and low-temperature heating systems all work together in harmony. Stuart Smith from Zehnder explains more.


T


he road to greener British buildings has hit a crossroads. Placing heavy emphasis on


insulation, the current strategy for increasing energy effi ciency relies on making buildings more airtight. This strategy isn’t inherently


wrong. Insulation is an important step in making our buildings more energy effi cient, because leaky buildings waste energy by letting the heat escape. Double- glazing, spray foam, and radiant barriers are all ways to combat this, and their eff ectiveness in doing so is beyond doubt. But relying on insulation


alone is not a sustainable long-term strategy for making British buildings more energy effi cient – and keeping them healthy. Why? Without eff ective ventilation, airtight buildings have no fresh air supply or means for stale air to escape. And you have to question the value of a well-heated building that negatively impacts our health and wellbeing. We shouldn’t have to choose


between energy effi ciency and healthy air quality. It’s possible to achieve both – it just takes a systems-based mindset. Part of the reason government


schemes and long-term strategies for energy effi ciency are so focused on insulation is because


they mainly focus on the building fabric. In these cases, the focus is on how the walls, roof, fl oors, windows and doors can be better insulated to save as much energy as possible, reducing energy costs and the building’s carbon footprint. Despite best intentions,


Stuart Smith Commercial director at Zehnder Group UK


government-sponsored insulation schemes have been shown to play a role in creating damp and polluted indoor environments. In the worst cases, these schemes have resulted in the worst possible consequences of poor ventilation – condensation, mould, and even in some cases, related respiratory issues and death. Preventing the negative


We shouldn’t have to choose between energy efficiency and healthy air quality. It’s


possible to achieve both – it just takes a systems-based mindset


consequences of insulation does not mean we have to start from scratch. The stark truth is that we cannot aff ord to start from scratch, as the UK’s goal is to phase out new natural gas boilers and replace them with heat pumps. For a heat pump to work properly, buildings need to be well-insulated, and here lies the dilemma. Insulation as a component of


energy effi ciency is fi ne – but it needs to work in harmony with the heating and ventilation systems to ensure indoor spaces are healthy and safe. Achieving this harmony requires a systems- based approach, where every component of a building that


contributes to energy effi ciency, from the building fabric to the heating and ventilation system, work together.


Working together The move to more energy- effi cient heating is well underway, with the Government fi ercely enforcing the move over to heat pumps. Radiators will operate at lower temperatures (35°C-55°C), signifi cantly increasing the heat pump’s effi ciency and reducing energy consumption. That’s a perfect example of how systems can work together to achieve energy effi ciency. However, alongside this,


ventilation must be considered to refresh the warm air inside and prevent a sick environment developing. The most common approach is an extract fan with trickle vents on windows, which meets minimum Building Regulations and pulls stale, damp and unhealthy air out of indoor environments. But this approach is a minimum standard and by nature, wastes energy as the warmth generated by central heating is simply pulled outside. A better option is Mechanical


Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR), which not only dramatically improves indoor air quality, but also contributes to a building’s overall energy effi ciency. The system works by pulling stale, moisture-laden


of how innovative, forward- thinking technology can ensure insulated buildings are still healthy and safe for their occupants. Achieving this harmony requires a systems- based mindset – where all the component parts of a building, including the fabric as well as heating and ventilation systems, are designed and installed to work together, not in confl ict with each other. The phrase ‘insulate tight,


ventilate right’ has never been more relevant than it is today. We know that making British buildings more energy effi cient is a necessary endeavour. Rolling out more heat pumps, insulating buildings to be more airtight, and bringing in innovative heating solutions like low-fl ow temperature radiators are all positive steps. But we cannot strive for energy


effi ciency whilst forgetting the importance of ventilation. Because we all deserve better than living and working in indoor spaces that negatively impact our health and wellbeing. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/426/58


CUT TO THE CHASE


 Buildings need to be well- insulated for a heat pump to work effectively


 But relying on insulation alone is not a sustainable strategy for making buildings more energy effi cient


 MVHR both improves indoor air quality and contributes to energy effi ciency


 A systems-based approach means that all component parts of a building work together


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