Is MVHR Worth It?
MVHR systems are an extremely helpful tool to have in your home or office. However, some would argue that ventilation is a simple process and doesn’t require equipment, when you can just open a window.
We are here to challenge that narrative and answer the question ‘Is MVHR worth it?’
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.
I-Sells is here to provide the answers you need whilst also supplying you with all the information you need to combat mould and have a well-ventilated home.
What is MVHR?
MVHR is a term used in the HVAC industry, MVHR stands for ‘Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery’. This is the technical term for what is generally known as heat recovery units, or heat recovery systems.
Heat recovery systems provide all the benefits of regular ventilation with the unique addition of being able to retain heat that would have been lost with regular ventilation. Heat recovery systems can come in single or multi-room applications.
Why is ventilation important in the first place?
Before we can talk about heat recovery ventilation, why is regular ventilation so significant?
Ventilation is critical in maintaining the health of your home, not to mention your own general health. This is because ventilation is the key factor in preventing humidity, condensation, and ultimately mould in your home.
Mould is a kind of fungus that grows and spreads continuously in humid and damp environments. If left unattended, the spread of the mould can not only be an eyesore, but it can alter the air quality in your home, affect your health, and can weaken the structure of your home.
There are many types of mould, but upon noticing any kind of mould, you should work towards removing it through mould removal products, or employing a ventilation routine/using ventilation mechanisms.
What can cause mould?
As highlighted, mould can be caused by humidity and condensation that is left unattended. Here are a few factors that contribute to mould developing.
- Not ventilating your home at all.
- Not ventilating when cooking or bathing.
- Leaks inside the home
- Mould spreading from another area
Is MVHR worth it?
Yes, MVHR more than proves its worth in its application and subsequent effects. But what does being ‘worth it’ mean? Is it value for money? Is it the benefits it brings with it? And are these benefits actually helpful for you? We at I-Sells believe it is a combination of both of these things.
MVHR is worth it for you if…
- Your home has an issue with excess humidity, condensation, and/or damp.
- You have faulty, old, or under-performing extraction fans.
- You have dust allergies or allergies to other pollutants (MVHR can’t guarantee 100% removal, but definitely enough for you to notice a positive change).
- You always have to open a window to assist any ventilation.
- You lose too much heat during ventilation processes.
- You have one particular room that suffers from excess humidity, condensation, and/or damp.
- Your home’s quality of air is musty, stuffy, and generally poor.
Is MVHR worth the price?
Yes, we firmly believe that MVHR systems are worth their price. Whether that is a single-room unit, or a whole-house unit, here are a couple of examples in our range that highlight the competitive and worthwhile pricing of these integral ventilation units.
Vent Axia Lo-Carbon Tempra P Heat Recovery Unit
The Vent Axia Lo-Carbon Tempra P Heat Recovery Unit, is a single-room MVHR unit.
Apart from removing odours, providing fresh air and recovering heat, this appliance extracts airborne impurities such as dust, dirt, and grease.
The units are fitted with a 24V ECDC motor with a state-of-the-art built-in power supply. This has the ability to operate at only 2 Watts power consumption on normal setting, offering a 90% energy saving over conventional AC equivalents.
At a competitive £262.08 this unit is sure to create a noticeable and pleasant change in the room you install it in. Click here for the full product specifications.
Integra Boxed Assembly Heat Recovery Unit 456864 – Vent Axia
The Integra Boxed Assembly Heat Recovery Unit is a whole-house heat recovery unit.
Using a high performance, polymeric heat exchange cube, together with two powerful fans, the Vent-Axia Integra boasts a temperature efficiency of up to 70%.
The compact cube interleaves outgoing moist air with incoming fresh air, allowing the heat from one to warm the other without the two air streams mixing. Energy is saved on room heating, with no power being used by the cube itself.
At £1129.22, this whole-house unit will provide optimal conditions for your home for many years to come, click here for a full list of specifications.
What if I can’t get a MVHR unit?
In terms of mechanisms, there are little to no alternatives that provide the same level of help that a MVHR system can. However, there are non-mechanical options that could help ventilation issues in your home.
If you’re losing too much heat, you should…
- Check whether you need to replace your insulation.
- Invest in double or triple glazing windows.
- Ensure your front and back door has no drafts passing through them.
- Check the walls of your home for any large cracks or drafts.
If your home is too humid, you should…
- Consider employing a basic ventilation routine daily.
- Open windows when cooking/showering
- Keep fluffy items out of rooms such as bathrooms or kitchens, as moisture can catch onto these surfaces.
- Use your central heating at specific times, such as when you wake up, when you arrive home from work, and before you go to bed.
Is a cooker hood or extractor fan the same as MVHR?
No, cooker hoods are designed specifically for extracting steam, heat, smoke, and smells in your kitchen, specifically above your cooker. The vents for cooker hood units can be bigger in order to accommodate for the larger and consistent amount of steam, smoke, and heat being generated.
An extractor fan purely extracts the air in the room it is placed, with the ventilation being smaller than that of a cooker hood.
A MVHR unit extracts the air in the room it is placed in, but has the benefit of replacing the extracted air with fresh outdoor air, whilst not reducing the heat of the room itself.
MVHR units do operate similarly to the aforementioned extraction mechanisms, but with additional features that guarantee optimal comfort and quality in 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 ‘Is MVHR worth it?’
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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