We’re all being told to ‘go green’ and insulate our buildings, but this can cause other problems. Will Bown, MD of Ventilation Megastore tells us more
What are the problems caused by over-insulating buildings?
Insulation is a fantastic way to reduce your heating bills and keep your home at a more comfortable temperature year-round but the more you insulate, the more you need to ventilate.
Whether it’s through blocking draughts, removing trickle vents or preventing heat from escaping, highly insulated properties are generally more airtight.
The consequence of this is that it prevents water vapour from leaving a property and it prevents the replacement of stale, contaminated indoor air.
This can lead to condensation which causes the growth of mould and fungus and reduces indoor air quality, with natural pollutants, dust and particulate matter remaining in the home. This can also make illnesses more easily spread and it makes homes feel less comfortable.
What is MVHR and how does it solve these problems?
Mechanical ventilation heat recovery (MVHR) ventilation is common throughout continental Europe and is becoming more popular in the UK as insulation standards improve.
Whereas a basic extractor fan uses a fan to propel air from a room to the outside, an MVHR system replaces the extracted air with filtered fresh air which gets warmed by the air that’s being removed.
With clean, filtered and warmed air coming in and air coming out, this creates a gentle flow of fresh air throughout a property, removing airborne moisture as well as dust, pollen, germs and other pollution.
This means water vapour can escape and your home is kept fresher, cleaner and more comfortable year-round.
What are its other advantages?
The benefits of MVHR compared to opening windows or using a traditional extractor fan are many. The biggest issue is that both of these will let out all the heat from your home, spoiling the energy efficiency of your heating system. Meanwhile, windows also let particulates and pollutants inside; this is particularly problematic if you suffer from hayfever or if you live in a busy, polluted area.
MVHR eliminates both of these problems by using the extracted air to warm the fresh, filtered air that replaces it.
How easy is MVHR to fit?
Installing an MVHR unit is easy, so if you follow the supplied instructions you may be able to do it yourself if you’re reasonably competent at DIY. Our expert team is also on hand to provide advice and guidance by email or over the phone, answering any questions you have.
A qualified electrician, plumber or other tradesperson should also be able to fit a system on your behalf without any problems – but we’d also be happy to help them too!
Is an MVHR system easy to conceal?
Normally, the only things you’ll need inside your home are a couple of small, ceiling or wall mounted vents. The main unit is discreetly tucked away in either the loft, ceiling cavity or along an exterior wall so it’s out of sight and they won’t take up much space at all with our smallest unit just 40mm wide.
How much maintenance does it need?
Because MVHR systems filter out airborne particulates including pollen and pollutants, the inline filters will need to be cleaned now and then by either running them under the tap or clearing them with a vacuum cleaner, but this is really easy and straightforward.
Once your MVHR system is up and running, you can enjoy many, many years of usage – and we offer a 1-5 year warranty to give you extra peace of mind.
Is it suitable for all types of property and heating systems?
Any property can be fitted or retrofitted with MVHR although the way in which the system is setup may vary.
Typically, it’s best if the inlet and outlet are fitted in separate rooms, with air being extracted from the kitchen or bathroom, while the inlet may be in the bedroom or living area. Meanwhile, the unit itself is best installed in the loft, ceiling cavity or on an exterior wall. If this isn’t possible, we can advise on the next-best option to optimise the flow of fresh air through the home.
Is an MVHR system noisy?
Our systems produce as little as 29 decibels – that’s quieter than a whisper and only a little louder than a ticking watch.
Even our biggest domestic units only produce 41 decibels, which is the same volume as the hum of a refrigerator, but because the units are typically mounted in the roof space, you won’t hear a thing in your living space itself.
Is an MVHR system expensive to run?
Our smallest unit, the DHV-04/100B uses just 40W to run: the same as an ordinary lightbulb. This is ideal for small properties such as studio apartments.
Meanwhile, our largest domestic unit uses less than a fridge at 300W and even our MVHR units for office blocks or hotels uses no more power than an electric kettle, so they’re much more energy efficient than air conditioners.
Where can I find an MVHR installer?
With a bit of guidance, which our experts are happy to provide when you buy one of our products, most people with basic DIY skills should be able to install an MVHR system. If you’d rather a professional fit it however, most electricians, plumbers or heating and electrical engineers will be more than capable of doing it on your behalf.
Every device comes with a comprehensive instruction manual and our HRVU experts are just a phone call or email away. We’ve helped thousands of people to create and fit their systems they need and we’re happy to help with any issues or questions you have.
To find out more about HRVU and other ventilation systems, visit www.ventilationmegastore.co.uk
