MVHR – Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Retention – systems are perfect for new build homes which are energy efficient as standard.
We all want to live in a comfortable environment where the air is clean and pure, but adding insulation to homes and reducing drafts to improve energy efficiency means that they can become stuffy and overheat, and toxins remain in the air due to the lack of airflow from outside.
This is where MVHRs come in; new homes are built to strict standards of energy efficiency and in order to provide ventilation and a constant source of clean and fresh air, machinery is used.
#1: How Do MVHR Systems Work?
A centrally stored MVHR unit, usually located in a loft or cupboard, works constantly to extract air from rooms which contain toxins. It then heats it up and purifies it so that it can be released back into the home. Each room is connected via a network of ducts and air flows through simple grills in the wall. Air is extracted from wet or “polluted” rooms such as the kitchen and then deposited into “living” rooms.
In winter, the MVHR ensures that the fresh filtered air is heated meaning that the home remains comfortable and warm. This also reduces the need to use central heating systems which can be expensive and aren’t energy efficient.
#2: Do All Homes Have Them?
Whilst some new build homes have them as standard, not all do. MVHR systems are currently on an upward trend and they are starting to become more commonplace, but we’re not there yet. If your home doesn’t have an MVHR system then there’s nothing to worry about; they can usually be installed into any home quickly with relative ease and without taking up too much space.
Choosing an MVHR unit is a pretty straightforward process, it’s all about your needs. You can visit www.bpcventilation.com/choosing-a-mvhr-unit to find out more.
#3: What Types of Home Are Suitable?
Any home is suitable, so long as it is energy efficient already. It may sound odd that your home needs to already be energy efficient in order to have a device installed which improves energy efficiency, but you need to consider how an MVHR machine works.
If your home is draughty and poorly insulated, then the MVHR won’t be able to function properly and any energy efficiency benefits (mostly money saved for you) will be lost. There’s no point cleaning, purifying and heating the air in your home if it is going to instantly escape through poorly insulated infrastructure or through a gap in the doors.
Before looking into and indeed investing in an MVHR system, you should ensure that your home is as energy efficient as it can be. Whilst this may cost money, the long-term savings far outweigh any money spent. Even if you don’t have an MVHR system, there’s so much money to be saved by simply having a well-insulated home which can add up to hundreds if not thousands per year.
If you are looking to make your home energy efficient, it may be worth considering an MVHR unit.
