Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery

James Probert

Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery

Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery (MVHR) is a ventilation system which extracts moist, stale air from your home’s bathrooms and kitchen areas, and replaces it with fresh air from outside. The system is connected to a device which recovers up to 90% of the heat from the old air before it is extracted and uses it to warm up the fresh cold air coming in – this is the Heat Exchanger. Standard MVHR systems run continually to balance the temperature and humidity in your home. More ‘intelligent’ systems can continually monitor the temperature and humidity of rooms in the house and direct warm air (for instance from sunny windows) to areas of the house in need of warmth. MVHR eliminates damp and mould, increases internal air quality and can reduce the symptoms of lung conditions such as asthma. What’s not to like?!

MVHR Manifold (Project: barn conversion in Kniveton)

Oakenstone and MVHR

We recommend Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems for our new build and renovation clients and have designed and installed many systems. MVHR is one of the most efficient and cost effective solutions to heating and ventilation in modern homes.

OakenStone build super-insulated homes coupled with MVHR and underfloor heating, providing summer and winter comfort, superb internal air quality, reduced energy bills and with lower CO2 emissions.

It is only a matter of time before traditional means of heating our homes, such as gas and oil will no longer be available, so fitting this modern solution at the construction stage is far more efficient and cost-effective than attempting to retro-fit in a building not designed to accommodate it.

Installing MVHR in tandem with ground or air source underfloor heating and high levels of insulation exceeds current building standards, and results in a warm, healthy and comfortable home, fit for the energy challenges of the next hundred years.

Underfloor heating pipes laid out ready for screed (Project: barn conversion in Kniveton)

Benefits in brief

  • Improves indoor air quality
  • Saves money – recovers up to 90% of heat from stale air
  • Uses less energy – produces less CO2
  • Removes stale air and odours
  • Eliminates the need for independent extractor fans and air vents
  • Eliminates mould and condensation
  • Complies with Building Regulations

Work in progress -MVHR and Ground Source Heat Pump (Project: Bespoke New Build in Darley Dale)

If you are planning a major renovation, re-model or a complete new build, why not talk to OakenStone and let us show you how we can build you a home for the future – today.

Share this post

Arrange a site visit

Book a FREE initial consultation with Dave Mowle