We are all aware that in order to construct an environmentally friendly, economical and comfortable home we need to ensure the structure is draft free and adequately insulated, so as to conserve heat and reduce energy consumption and running costs. In order to avoid the building becoming stuffy and unhealthy, stale air needs to be removed and replaced with fresh air.

In the old days, we simply flung open the windows, and all the fresh air flooded in, as the heat escaped at the same time. Today, we are all more environmentally conscious and with escalating fuel costs are far from keen to let our precious expensive heat escape.

So, the dilemma, ventilate the house, without losing all the heat. Heat Recovery Ventilation is the answer, its simple, inexpensive and highly efficient.

The Heat Recovery solution is rather simple, transfer the heat being expelled from the stale air to the incoming fresh air during the ventilation process. So, how is it done? The HRV unit, in its simplest form is a metal box with a air to air heat exchanger and two fans inside. One extract fan draws stale air out of the bathrooms, cloakroom and kitchen through a network of small ducts, while the other fan draws in fresh outside air from outside. At the HRV unit, the warm stale air passes over the heat exchanger giving up its heat to the cooler incoming fresh air. The newly warmed fresh air is then introduced into the building, and the newly cooled stale air exits the building via a grill in the outside wall. Its that simple.

QUESTIONS WE ARE REGULARLY ASKED.

I Only Have One Large Room What can i do?

For studio flats or single room applications, we have a range or smaller HRV fans that mount directly into the wall or into the ceiling. They work on the same principle. With twin fans and a small heat exchanger, these units very effective and can prove very useful for ground floor applications where it may not be safe to leave windows or doors open during periods of non occupancy.

What Happens if it's Really Cold Outside?

Most domestic and commercial HRV units, excluding the smaller wall mounted model have an inbuilt electrical re-heater battery and an air sensor, if the air is to cold entering the building the re-heater battery / element warms it to an acceptable level before introducing it into the building.

So What are the Benefits of HRV;

   1 - Reduces heating costs

   2 - Clean fresh air benefits everybody and the building fabric at the same time.

   3 - Greater security with closed windows and no unpleasant draughts.

   4 - Greatly reduces the build-up of condensation and black spot mould growth on walls.

   5 - Allows the building to remain ventilated during vacations and periods of non occupancy. 

We have a large and varied range of HRV units and HRV fans available for any type or size of project, from domestic studios to large commercial applications.

Tell me More About The Installation Process

The installation process is as stated relatively simple, and can be undertaken my any competent person. However, the design, setting to work, and commissioning is a more complex matter, and is specialist work requiring specialist air measurement equipment. We at the Low Carbon Company Limited can undertake this for you at very competitive rates.

Within an efficient system, the pre-heated incoming fresh air entering the dwelling is no more than two or three degrees cooler than the internal room temperatures of the room its entering. As outlined previously, the basic heat exchange principle is simple, and the design and operation totally effective. However, incorrectly designed and dimensioned systems can cause increased energy consumption, high fuel bills, drafts and very uncomfortable living conditions.

To ensure maximum energy efficiency and fuel cost savings, the whole installation needs to be professionally designed and supplied by specialist, we are here to fulfill that roll. We understand the "whole energy picture" unlike many small contractors whom only concentrate on there respective field, we are not limited in this manner an can overview the complete mechanical package, designing and supplying the correct products that work seamlessly together but are installed by the individual tradespeople.

Very often on building projects, the plumber does not talk to the electrician, who does not talk to the heating engineer, and nobody asks the client about what there expectations are, we can view the "overall scheme" and design a system that meets with the clients criteria and budget.

WE CAN EASILY RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM.

Well designed HRV systems are easily capable of retaining 75% of previously lost energy through exhaust ventilation. The fresh air can be treated and filtered for pollen, dust and even noise pollution in extreme circumstances. If required, we can design more sophisticated installations, which may incorporate more advanced features such as automatic humidity sensors that increase the ventilation rate as humidity rates build-up within bathrooms or shower room. Night set-back and vacation mode settings or interconnection with "BEMS" controls can also be offered to further fine tune the system and reduce energy.

Before considering any HRV system, the building in question needs to be well insulated and as draft free as possible. Otherwise the energy savings anticipated will never be achieved. Once a suitable outline design has been provisionally selected,that fulfills the clients requirements and is in harmony with the buildings mechanical services, the HRV system must be fine tuned and matched to the individual building in question. This requires many factors to be considered and include calculations to attain the volume of the building, occupancy levels, heat gains and lighting loads all need to be calculated, to establish the ventilation rate (amount of air to be ventilated) and consequently the size and requirement for the fresh air intake duct-work and external louvre dimension, and overall system requirement.

As an indication of the likely cost  for a basic domestic system which includes the design work, supply, installation and commissioning of a HRV system for an average size 3 bedroom home is in the region of  £5800.00 fully installed, certified and tested. If we are working on a design and supply only basis the cost is somewhat lower.

For more information, or a quotation / project budget costing, email your project drawings to us in jpeg format and we will be pleased to forward costs.