MVHR systems have grown a lot in popularity lately, and if you have just been introduced to them, you might be asking what’s so special about them. MVHR systems use a system of ducts, ventilators, and air exchangers to mix conditioned air from the inside with outside air to reduce the strain on a home’s heating or AC system. This allows homeowners to make significant energy savings and improve the quality of the air inside their property.
Mechanical Ventilation
Mechanical ventilation is the act of using mechanical systems to ventilate a space, typically air conditioning/heating units. There are two types of mechanical ventilation systems, natural and forced. Forced ventilation uses fans to push air throughout the room at high speeds. Natural ventilation instead requires airflow naturally occurring in rooms, this includes conventional techniques where warm air rises and cooler air descends.
Forced ventilation is generally recommended over natural ventilation due to its effectiveness and reduced cost. In addition to increased efficiency, MV offers many environmental and economic advantages. These systems help to reduce carbon dioxide levels, save water and electricity, and decrease pollutants and indoor noise levels.
Heat recovery system
Heat recovery systems are often used together with MV. An HRS is designed to capture some of the hot exhaust air from MV and transfer it back into the supply side of the unit. The heat recovered during the cooling season can be reused as a heating load in the summer months. This reduces the need for extra input power to run the heater, saving money and reducing CO2 emissions.
HRS can be stand-alone, meaning that the only equipment necessary is a conventional furnace, or integrated, meaning that both heating and cooling loads are treated by the same device. Integrated systems are commonly referred to as dual-fuel furnaces since they use either oil, natural gas, or propane as primary fuel. Stand-alone systems are much less expensive than integrated ones, however, they may not provide the same comfort levels as an integrated system. Dual-fuel furnaces are becoming increasingly popular due to their versatility compared with single-fuel furnaces. A majority of dual-fuel furnaces today are installed as standalone systems.
Many vendors offer these systems in various configurations, some requiring separate ductwork while others do not require any modifications to existing ductwork. Standalone HRS systems are typically configured with a fan coil configuration, similar to what we find in our homes. In this type of system, hot air is pulled out of the return air plenum area and sent through the coils. As the air passes through the tubes, it absorbs the thermal mass stored inside the tube thus increasing the temperature of the air before returning it to the supply plenum.
Let’s take a closer look at why you should consider investing in an MVHR system.
You Could Make Major Savings
If you depend heavily on your heating system in the winter and also like to keep your house cool in the summer, then getting an MVHR system is a no-brainer. Your MVHR system will use the conditioned air inside the building to cool hot air from outside and will use hot air in the winter to prevent cool air from outside from lowering the temperature inside the house too much.
It has been estimated that people with MVHR systems installed can expect to save as much as 50% on their energy bills and recuperate on their investment in as little as five years. The savings you make will depend on the type of heat recovery ventilator model you get, who you choose to have it installed, and the configuration of your building, among other things. You can find more about this on bpcventilation.com.
It Will Improve the Air Quality
Another reason why getting an MVHR system is a good idea is because it will significantly improve the quality of the air inside the house. If you have children with allergies or pets, an MVHR can greatly alleviate symptoms and reduce the amount of pet hair on your furniture.
Not only that, but MVHR systems can also reduce the spread of pathogens inside the house. If you add things like heavy duty EPA filters to your system, you will be able to limit viruses, bacteria, and toxic chemicals from circulating and causing all sorts of issues.
It Will Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Adding an MVHR system inside your house will also allow you to cut your carbon footprint. Heating and air conditioning are the most energy-demanding of all home utilities and cutting consumption there will make a huge difference in your energy consumption. So, if you’re serious about the environment and want to do your part to save it while saving a few bucks, look at MVHR systems.
It Could Increase the Value of Your House
An MVHR system can also increase the value of your property and help you attract a larger pool of prospects. Most people will love the idea of being able to save on energy, and you’ll be able to catch the attention of buyers who have heard about these systems or absolutely want one in their next property.
One of the biggest reasons why so many homeowners don’t install an MVHR system is that they think it’s going to be difficult to install. But, when you compare the cost of installing a traditional forced air system with an MVHR system, you’ll see that it’s quite easy. The installation process usually involves drilling holes in the wall for the ducts, which should take less than 30 minutes. Then, you’ll need to connect the ducts to the blower unit, which takes another 15 minutes.
After that, you’ll need to attach the blower unit to the intake vents, which shouldn’t take long either. Finally, you’ll need to run the ducts through the walls and into the attic space. This could take anywhere between two and four hours depending on how big the job is. So, if you’ve been thinking about adding an MVHR system to your home, now might be the time to act. It’s not just going to save you money, it’s going to make your life easier and give you some great benefits.
Now that you know some of the benefits of MVHR systems, you should consider speaking with a few providers today and see what they have to offer. Make sure you know all the costs associated with the installation and work with a team with lots of experience in the field.
