Can MVHR Outlets Be Close to Roof lights?
Unlike single-room MVHR units, whole house MVHR units have a central unit in which ventilation is channelled to, and through. So when it comes to placement, where can you place a whole house MVHR unit in your home?
In this blog, we will answer the question ‘Can MVHR outlets be close to roof lights?’
With new buildings being made to be as energy efficient as possible, and the UK aiming for 95% of its electricity usage to be low carbon by 2030, it is imperative to understand how we can make the most of our ventilation. This is where MVHR units come in.
To prevent mould, fresh air should constantly be introduced into your dwelling daily, as it helps to regulate temperature and reduce condensation. Introducing fresh air can be as simple as having a ventilation routine, or installing extractors or MVHR units. Almost all of this is facilitated by ducting.
The importance of MVHR
Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery, also known as MVHR is a ventilation system that extracts indoor air and allergens, and replaces it with fresh, filtered outdoor air. In addition, MVHR units retain the heat that is extracted from inside. This means your home won’t lose heat, even though you’re getting fresh, filtered, outdoor air.
Ventilation is key in eliminating the causes of mould, which are humidity and condensation. Mould, if left unattended, can spread rapidly, and has the potential to cause health problems, or further affect those with existing respiratory issues, or those with a compromised immune system.
MVHR units are available in single or multi-room units.
Single room MVHR units are ideal for bathrooms or kitchens, whereas whole house units are appropriate for any home, as long as the home is appropriately insulated, you will feel the full effects of the MVHR unit.
MVHR advantages
The advantages of heat recovery systems are the following:
- Holds all the benefits of an extractor, including the removal of stale air, humidity and smells.
- It helps to prevent the cultivation of mould through the removal of humidity.
- Temperature sensors ensure that additional heat is not being added to the atmosphere of the home if it is already hot.
- Heat recovery systems take a lot of the burden from you conducting a ventilation routine. This is ideal for a vulnerable person.
- Less of a need to use your central heating frequently as the heat generated through your house is recycled through the heat recovery unit.
- The reduced use of heating as a result of the heat conservation granted by a heat recovery unit can help you save on energy bills.
Can MVHR outlets be close to roof lights?
Ideally, A MVHR unit should be placed in a utility room, as you would need to change the filter and perform checks/maintenance every 3 to 6 months. However, we understand that not everyone who requires a MVHR system has a utility room, or an abundance of space to work with.
When it comes to roof lights, you don’t want to put a MVHR unit directly in front of one. MVHR units are sensitive to temperature changes, and being in front of a window means that sunlight directly beaming onto the system through the window can make the unit misread the indoor temperature.
In some cases, MVHR systems are placed in lofts. In this case, MVHR outlets should be placed away from any other units. With this in mind, depending on your MVHR system, it can be set up in more than one way, meaning there is a possibility you can still set it up even if you don’t have much space.
What happens if I place a MVHR unit next to the roof light?
The summer bypass feature of MVHR systems, which stops the recycling of hot air to avoid overheating the home, can be affected by outside circumstances. The temperature sensor in the unit will be sensitive to external changes, this includes sunlight beaming onto the MVHR unit.
By placing your MVHR unit by a roof light, you run the risk of unintentionally bypassing the heat retention feature of the unit, which can be an issue in colder months.
Where should you place a MVHR unit?
Whichever room your MVHR unit is placed, you should ensure that the area is away from anything that could warm it. This includes lights, windows, and other units. This is to ensure any residual heat does not affect the MVHR unit.
Can MVHR reduce condensation?
Yes, MVHR can reduce condensation, but it will not stop it from appearing altogether in rooms like bathrooms or some smaller sized kitchens.
MVHR reduces condensation by extracting the humid indoor air, and replacing it with fresh outdoor air. Because the moisture within the air has been extracted, it is less likely to formulate condensation on surfaces.
Additionally, MVHR units prevent the heat from the humid air from being lost, it recycles it into the fresh air that is being brought in by the system.
More ways to reduce condensation with MVHR
In conjunction with MVHR units, you can try the following methods to further reduce the appearance of condensation…
- Opening windows in kitchens and bathrooms when in use can help to reduce condensation (Though the heat reduction aspect will be nullified by the open window).
- Consider purchasing a dehumidifier.
- Any condensation that you find on surfaces, dry them immediately by wiping them with a dry cloth or tissue.
- If condensation appears in specific areas of a room, see if there are any breaches that are causing the fluctuation in temperature. Examples of breaches could be deep cracks in the wall or near windows, or even the windows themselves not being able to insulate properly.
Is it better to have a MVHR unit or regular ventilation?
MVHR units are the preferred option when it comes to ventilation, this is simply due to the fact that the added benefit of retaining heat is extremely helpful in cold climates like the UK.
Even so, in the occasional months when there is hot weather, MVHR units have a summer bypass feature that prevent the heat retention feature from coming into effect. Despite this, you can still receive the fresh outdoor air!
What happens if I have no ventilation in my home?
Neglecting to have any ventilation in your home can have some serious consequences. Firstly, the air in your home will be stuffy, full of allergens and maybe smelly too. Furthermore, any humidity or moisture won’t be able to escape, leaving you with condensation, which can eventually create mould.
Once mould is in your home, and you still neglect to ventilate, the mould will spread quickly over the home, resulting in a terrible damp smell, as well as the occupants being uncomfortable and unwell.
You can ventilate without MVHR systems, depending on your home, something as simple as opening windows regularly goes a long way to help ventilate your home.
Purchase a MVHR unit today
We at I-Sells endeavour to ensure our customers have all the information they require before investing in our mould solutions. Be sure to visit our blog page to learn about the vast array of factors and issues surrounding ventilation, mould, condensation, and much more.
We hope to have answered the question ‘Can MVHR outlets be close to roof lights?’
We understand you may have more questions, do not hesitate to contact us for more information about whatever you need our help with. If you’d like to email us, click here. For other contact options, see below:
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