Mechanical Ventilation & Heat Recovery (MVHR)
Thanks to stringent building regulations, new residential buildings are now well-insulated. A well-insulated property helps to minimise heat loss by preventing warm air from escaping, keeping the interior dry, warm and comfortable. Insulation also reduces reliance on domestic heating appliances to maintain a comfortable indoor environment, which in turn lowers energy bills.
Whilst there are clear advantages in insulating properties, the building also needs to be able to breathe. Humid and stale air needs to be removed to create a comfortable environment. According to BEAMA, around 65% of homes in the UK suffer from poor air quality including a toxic mix of mould, condensation and certain cleaning and building products. Residents affected by poor indoor quality can suffer from skin irritation, asthma, breathing difficulties and heart disease.
However the answer is at hand. By employing a centralised ventilation system with heart recovery (CHRV), indoor air quality can be significantly improved. Allstar Ventilation specialise in residential ventilation solutions. As a specialist indoor air quality company we can advise and assist with a range of innovative solutions, providing a one stop-shop solution for the complete installation including accessories.
Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) is a continuous source of ventilation that extracts stale, moisture-laden air from a building and resupplies fresh, filtered air back in, resulting in a comfortable and condensation free environment all year round.
The centralised heat recovery ventilation system is ideal for installation in an energy-neutral home of the future. The automatic calibration and integrated two-zone control with demand control ensure ultra-quiet, intelligent and energy-saving operation.
Premium features included on some systems allow the airflow to be regulated to areas where it is most needed. Sensors meticulously detect the residents movement throughout.
Ventilation Specification and Design Services
Our team of professionals will be able to advise you on the available options based on your requirements. Since we offer both mechanical and electrical services we are ideally placed to help plan out the best installation for the system as a whole. The earlier we are consulted in the design stage of the project the better, as planning out duct runs and drops will be vital. Is it very important to keep ducting runs as short as possible and centralise the main heat recovery ventilation system (MVHR) to avoid noise levels.
Specification Drawings
We can get these drawn up on your existing AutoCAD or similar drawings – These drawings are vital for the communication between the design team and builders on site. A picture speaks a thousand words and without the correct drawings it is likely that someone will make a mistake that affects the installation.
Installation Service
As part of the 2010 revision of the Building Regulations for England and Wales it became necessary for domestic ventilation to be “notifiable work” as part of the Approved Document Part F.
This means that all MVHR installation work must now be commissioned by a suitably qualified person trained and registered with BPEC.
Although self-installations are perfectly feasible, it is worth bearing in mind that when fitting systems 1-4 specified in Part F of the building regulations it is recommended that these are carried out by a BPE accredited engineer which will also improve your SAP rating.
Its purpose is to support and assist the installers and get the installation off to a flying start!
Commissioning Services
Our commissioning service involves a member of our technical team attending your site to set up and commission our ventilation system and offer full user guide instruction. The purpose is to adjust and commission the system and ensure the operation/maintenance is fully understood.
Annual Maintenance
Filters get clogged up and need to be replaced on an annual basis as a clogged filter can reduce airflow. Give your heat recovery unit an annual service to ensure your system is set up correctly and working to its full potential.
We supply and fit products from the following brands:
- DUCO
- Vent-Axia
- Vectaire
- Titon
- Blauberg
- Nuaire
- Zehnder
What is MVHR and how does it work?
A balanced heat recovery ventilation system (MVHR) works by continuously extracting air from the wet rooms within your property (e.g. kitchens and bathrooms) and simultaneously pulling in fresh air from outside which is filtered, introduced and extracted via a network of ducting Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) is a whole house ventilation system that both supplies and extracts air throughout a property. Heat recovery is a domestic heat recovery system, which is increasingly used to reduce the heating and cooling demands of buildings.
What’s the difference between MVHR and MEV?
MVHR allows the recovery of a substantial part of the heat extracted by the ventilation thanks to a heat exchanger, while humidity sensitive MEV (or, more generally, a demand-controlled system) automatically reduces the rate of air renewal in order to limit heat loss as soon as the home is less occupied (which is usually most of the time). When the climate is temperate, the MVHR and the humidity sensitive MEV are almost equal. The MVHR becomes more beneficial in energy terms when the outdoor air is very cold, as it is the case of the Nordic countries.
Are MVHR systems worth it?
Within older buildings that have a persistent issue with dampness and mould, MVHR units are a blessing that will help eliminate these ongoing issues. If you are looking to achieve Passivhaus levels of air tightness, then a MVHR is a must.
Does MVHR prevent condensation?
An MVHR System is the best solution to preventing condensation problems in the home. Whether in new builds, or installed during renovation, an MVHR is the best system to install to ensure humidity comfort. An MVHR system will also supply fresh filtered air into the habitable rooms in your house.
Does MVHR reduce humidity?
MVHR systems will additionally reduce the indoor humidity, through the de-humidification effect of heat recovery. The more outside air temperatures are colder than inside air temperatures, the incoming air will increase in temperature and thereby decrease in relative humidity.
Can MVHR heat a house?
MVHR will re-use the heat which already exists in your home produced by occupants and electrical equipment. Some systems can be designed to have an additional in line heater, to heat supply air, but this can only provide a small amount of heating.
Do you need heating with MVHR?
MVHR systems are based on air supply, air extract and transfer zones within the building. The need to completely heat the fresh air as it enters the building is eliminated. Efficient systems typically heat cold outside air from 0ºC to 18ºC through the heat transfer, when the extract air is 20 ºC.
How does MVHR work in the summer?
Many MVHR units now come with true summer bypass which is designed to ventilate the home and supply fresh filtered air all year round. Incoming filtered fresh air bypasses the heat recovery element during the warmer summer months when heating isn’t needed.
The summer bypass is set for both comfort temperature and minimum external temperature. This allows a home to be pre-cooled for the following day by taking advantage of cooler night-time temperatures.
Is MVHR air conditioning?
MVHR systems are ventilation systems, not heating or cooling systems (although heating and cooling of the supply air can be provided).
Can MVHR cool a house?
As MVHR facilitates air movement, and the exchange of heat that is already present within the home, it will NOT cool the air or heat the air to a temperature greater than that already existing inside the house.
Where can MVHR be situated?
The unit is normally installed in the loft space or cupboard and rigid ducting supplies fresh filtered air to the habitable rooms and extracts stale polluted air from the ‘wet’ rooms. Supply and extract diffusers are fitted to the ceilings and are adjusted to balance the system.
Can you turn off MVHR?
It is important to remember that the MVHR ventilation removes VOCs and moisture. Fresh filtered air and good air movement also prevents mould growth so the MVHR should not be switched off.
How do you calculate MVHR?
On larger homes multiply the usable floor area to achieve a minimum ventilation rate of 0.5 air changes per hour. e.g. a 5-bedroom house with a floor area of 200 m2 would need 66 l/s (200x height of rooms of 2.4 m =480 m3 / 2 = 240m3 /3600(seconds/hr) = 66l/s).
Does MVHR reduce dust?
Yes, all of our MVHR systems have F7 and G4 filters which will filter out pollen, carbon dust, insects, etc from the incoming air.
CAre MVHR systems noisy?
MVHR can be most problematic, as supply air ducts run directly to noise-sensitive rooms (bedrooms and living rooms), however noise from continuously running extract systems in wet rooms (bathrooms and kitchens) also have the potential to annoy residents, particularly in open plan kitchen/dining/living rooms. Noise in mechanical ventilation systems is a common problem. Even though systems are often able to provide the required ventilation rate, the occupants lower fan speed setting because of the noise disturbance. Too little attention is paid to noise during the design and construction phases.
What is MVHR boost?
January 25, 2021. Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) is a continuous source of ventilation that extracts stale, moisture-laden air from a building and resupplies fresh, filtered air back in, resulting in a comfortable and condensation free environment all year round.
Are trickle vents required with MVHR?
The short answer is no, you do not need trickle vents if you have a full mechanical ventilation and heat recovery system. A properly commissioned and installed MVHR system will meet the necessary building regulations relating to ventilation.
Do you need an extractor fan with MVHR?
Whole house ventilation eliminates the need of extractor fans, as MVHR extract terminals are installed in all wet rooms, sanitary accommodation and kitchen, which extract excess humidity and pollution.