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WHAT IS HRV? HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilation) is a system that employs a counter-flow heat exchanger between the inbound and outbound air flow. They are Scandinavian in origin and provide fresh air and improved climate control, while also saving energy by reducing the heating requirements. These units typically recover 60%-75% of the waste heat in the air , and have a payback periof of about 7 to 10 years.
WHY CHOOSE THE HRV SYSTEM?In every home there is a certain amount of moisture in the air, we create this vapour by showering, cooking, washing and breathing. In highly insulated, modern homes, it is difficult to extract this moisture, which can lead to condensation and mould. The obvious choice is to open windows, but this lowers our energy rating, as we then, most likely need to re-heat our home. All modern homes are subject to varying degrees of ventilation within them, be these trickle vents in the windows, extractor fans in the bathrooms, or chimney flues. While building efficiency improves, our homes become more air tight, this is not always a good thing. Whilst it is sensible to draft proof rooms to save energy, it is also important not to seal a room up so much that air does not circulate freely. Essentially, it is necessary to balance three factors: heating, insulation and ventilation. Heat recovery ventilation units allow us to do just this. HOW DOES THE HRV SYSTEM WORK? The HRV System sucks out the warm moist stale air from rooms such as the kitchen, bathroom and utility feeding it through a counter-flow heat exchanger and expelling it outside once the heat has been stored. At the same time it brings in fresh cold air from outside. The cold air is heated up as it passes over the warmed exchanger, resulting in clean fresh warm air being pumped into the building. The heat exchange unit is generally fitted in the attic and the air is transported through vents and ducting built into ceilings and studwork. The unit consumes a small amount of electricity to run a fan. BENEFITS OF THE HRV SYSTEM
- Clean fresh air
- Reduces build up of gases
- Reduces home heating costs
- Filters dust and pollen from the air
- Creates a good living environment
- Controls condensation
- Draught free ventilation
- Increases energy rating of building
- Reduces global warming
- Locked windows means a safer home
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