What Is a Heat Recovery Ventilation Unit?

If HVAC is a concept you’re just beginning to get to grips with, then a heat recovery ventilation unit may sound alien to you. You may be wondering How does it work? What does it do? Do I need one?

In this blog, we will provide the answers to the question ‘What is a heat recovery ventilation unit?

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 heat recovery ventilation 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.

At I-Sells, all things ventilation and ducting related is our speciality, and we are here to answer the questions we know are common for those new to HVAC and what it encompasses. .

What kinds of ventilation are there?

When it comes to domestic usage, there are a few forms of ventilation available that you may likely be using every single day. They are…

Extractor fans — These fans intake the air of the room that they are in, and work to remove humidity, smells, and stale air. They are mainly situated in bathrooms, wet rooms and kitchens. Additionally, cooker hoods are a form of extractor fans that focus on cooking related biproducts such as steam, smoke, and smells.

Bladed fan — The most basic form of ventilation. Available in handheld sizes to large self- turning models. They generate cool air by spinning blades on a motor at high speeds, which propels the air around it, creating the cooling feeling.

Windows and doors — It is mainly windows that are used for ventilation but doors can too. Windows allow fresh air to enter the home without having to leave the house. Faulty or old windows and doors can lead to unwanted drafts and rooms being colder than they should be.

Air conditioning units — Air conditioning units extracts and expels the air of the room it is in, and either cools or warms the air in accordance to the preference that the user has set.

Whole-house ventilation units — These are ventilation systems that extract indoor air whilst replacing it with filtered outdoor air. They can be applied into multiple rooms and all operate through a central system. These units are available with, or without heat recovery features.

What are the signs your home needs ventilating?

There are simple signs that can immediately tell you that your home needs ventilating, they are…

• Smells that linger even if you have cleaned up.
• Frequent dust buildup.
• The home is too humid.
• There is mould.
• Condensation buildup.
• The air inside does not feel fresh.

What is a heat recovery ventilation unit?