Managing the humidity and temperature in your home is paramount in maintaining comfort in your home, as well as avoiding issues such as humidity, condensation, and mould. MVHR systems aid this process, but how loud are they? Is it worth buying?
In this blog, we will answer the question ‘How loud is MVHR?’
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.
What does MVHR do?
MVHR stands for ‘Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery’. This is the formal term, the units that use this technology are generally known as heat recovery units, or heat recovery systems.
As the name suggests, MVHR units provide the function and benefits of ventilation, whilst also finding a way to recover heat that is lost during ventilation. They are available in single or multi-room units.
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.
Is MVHR the same as a cooker hood?
No, although they have a similarity in one aspect of their function, that is the only thing that these two systems share.
The function they share is the extraction aspect. Cooker hoods purely extract the air, whereas MVHR units extract the air, replace it with air from outside, and retain any heat that may have been lost through extraction.
As a result of this, MVHR units reduce humidity whilst maintaining comfortable temperatures in your home. Helping you to remove any symptoms that can lead to mould growth, whilst not compromising on your comfort.
Cooker hoods extract the air, with a focus on the cooker unit directly beneath it. Primarily, cooker hoods are used to extract steam, smoke and smells. This is vital especially if you are constantly cooking, or cooking for long periods of time in your kitchen.
Is a cooker hood louder than MVHR?
In regard to sound, cooker hoods are much louder than a typical MVHR system, purely due to the size of the ventilation provided, in addition to the settings available on the cooker hood.
The problem with loud noises
Everybody’s level of sensitivity to sound is different, some can be as a result of their genetic makeup, others may be due to having already damaged hearing, old age, illness and more.
The point being, any sound that is loud to you can provide a whole list of downsides, especially if you are hearing it relentlessly. Examples of effects from this include…
- Potential damage to your hearing.
- Discomfort, leading to increased stress.
- Can leave you disorientated.
- Loud sound can prevent you from sleeping altogether, especially if they are consistent.
- Can cause a disturbance to neighbours and other people, affecting their quality of life.
- Prevents the ability to relax.
How loud is MVHR?
MVHR systems can vary in loudness, with the defining factors being the size of the unit (if it is single or a whole-house/ multi-room unit). Or, the speed setting that the system is placed on. The larger the system, and the higher the setting it is placed on, the louder it will be. That being said, the interpreted ‘loudness’ of our units are mitigated by some important factors.
Firstly, our single room units go up to a maximum of 45db, which is the sound of a normal conversation. Considering these units are generally in rooms that we do not sleep in (kitchen, bathroom) alongside the fact that these units don’t operate consistently (unless you choose to). Then it can be said, that these units hardly pose a problem in regard to loudness.
Additionally, the sound emanated from single room units can be lessened by closing the door of the room it is placed in.
Multi-room, or whole-house units are naturally bigger machines, so it can be expected to deliver a larger amount of noise.
However, with these specific units, they are mostly placed in areas with the least amount of obstructions or usage, such as an attic or loft. This means they are out of the vicinity of peoples rooms, meaning that there is a smaller likelihood of being affected by any sound made by the unit.
Furthermore, some whole-house MVHR units can be installed in certain ways that prevent the vibration of the machine emanating through the floor beneath it.
What level of decibels damages my hearing?
The hearing mechanisms within our ear are extremely complicated and delicate. Physical damage, extremely loud sounds, even untreated earwax, can alter or damage the extent of your hearing.
Sounds above 85 dB, which is just louder than an alarm clock, can permanently damage your hearing if you listen to a sound of that level or higher for an extended period of time. Luckily, MVHR systems come nowhere close to this level of loudness.
Can I restore my hearing?
Hearing can be permanently altered after significant damage, or exposure to loud continuous sounds over a long period. However, if you aren’t in such an environment and find yourself in one, you can wear ear protection.
In instances like going to a concert, you may find your ears ringing when you’re back home, or even into the next day. Simply avoiding loud sounds for a few days, including using your headphones, can help to restore your hearing. If there is any pain in your ears, pay a visit to your doctor.
Removing earwax can also aid in the improvement of hearing. If your ears are not cleaned over a long period of time, wax can build up to a degree where it blocks your ear. This can limit the amount you can hear, as well as cause pain and discomfort.
The safest way to remove it is by seeing an ear wax removal specialist. Don’t attempt to do this at home, otherwise you may push the wax further in.
Invest in MVHR 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 ‘How loud is MVHR?’
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 send us an email, click here. For other contact options, see below:
Call us on 020 8463 9696
Visit us at our showroom:
*OPENING TIMES*
Monday – Friday: 8:00 am to 5:30 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Sunday: Closed
15 St John’s Parade
Sidcup, Kent
DA14 6ES
United Kingdom
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