6 Reasons You Should Be Using MVHR Systems
Published: Tuesday, 13 August 2024
Valued at $106.69 million in 2022, the Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery (MVHR) UK market is predicted to reach $235.34 million by 20301, with an annual growth rate of 10.73% from 2024 to 20301. This extraordinary growth is being driven by increased awareness about the benefits of MVHR, as well as the adoption of these systems to comply with the latest uplift to Building Regulations.
MVHR systems take a whole-house approach to ventilation, combining supply and extract ventilation in one system. They extract the stale air from wet rooms (kitchens, bathrooms, utility spaces) within a property via ducting, transferring the heat from that air to the fresh air being drawn into the building via a heat exchanger. Domus Ventilation’s HRXE MVHR range recovers heat with up to 95% efficiency, making it highly effective. The filtered, pre-warmed air is then distributed around the home.
MVHR systems are a modern response to modern building practices. With properties becoming more airtight and energy efficient, it’s vital that good ventilation is designed into properties at the outset. Opening a window or two isn’t going to deliver indoor air that is healthy to breathe and comfortable to live in.
If you are not one of the many people driving the growth of MVHR systems and are yet to be sold on these ventilation systems, then consider these key benefits:
1. Health
In the UK, we’re not an outdoors type of nation. In fact, we spend 80-90% of our time indoors. The air that we breathe indoors is therefore just as – if not more – important than the air we breathe outdoors, yet indoor air pollution can be up to five times higher than external air pollution. Sources of indoor air pollution are widespread and vary dramatically from house to house, but include cooking, cleaning products, furniture and outdoor emissions entering our homes. Then, of course, you have condensation and, in worst-case scenarios, mould to contend with in the winter months.
Poor indoor air quality has been linked to an increased risk of respiratory and cardiovascular illness, cognitive impairment and certain cancers. England’s Chief Medical Officers Annual Report 2022 Air Pollution stated: “A better understanding of how we can prevent and reduce indoor air pollution should now be a priority”. It also noted “The role of ventilation is central to reducing unavoidable indoor air pollution.” MVHR systems are the most effective ventilation method for our homes as they both extract stale air and supply filtered ‘fresh’ air to key rooms, such as bedrooms.
2. Comfort
Breathing in poor-quality air is not only unhealthy, it’s unpleasant. As stale air is usually the result of a buildup of chemicals (especially VOCs) and humidity, our homes feel ‘stuffy’ and can have an unpleasant smell. Ironically, using an air freshener to combat this simply adds to the chemical concoction. MVHR systems are continuously on, removing that stale, humid air and its undesirable odours. Furthermore, during colder months they take the chill out of the supply air by passing it through a heat exchanger where the outgoing air’s energy is extracted and transferred. In the summer months, a 100% thermal bypass automatically activates when the air temperature reaches a pre-set level, allowing in cooler, fresh, filtered air without warming it through the heat exchanger.
3. Energy efficiency
By reusing the outgoing air’s heat to temper the incoming air, MVHR systems help reduce the home’s heating load. The Centre for Sustainable Energy estimates heating costs can be reduced by around 25%2. Whilst MVHR running costs are dependent on the property size, building fabric, occupant lifestyle etc., they are inexpensive to run. To ensure maximum energy efficiency is gained from an MVHR system though, it’s important to correctly size the unit, use good quality ducting designed to work as part of that system (Domus Ventilation ducting has been third-party tested for end-to-end system performance), and correctly installed and commissioned.
4. Structural integrity
Whilst VOCs are unlikely to impact a building’s structure, persistent damp and mould can. If not dealt with, trapped condensation can lead to timber decay and can have a detrimental effect on insulation. More often though, it leads to mould growth on surfaces of walls and furniture. Removing large areas of mould is not easy and can be costly, especially when redecorating is required and furniture has to be replaced. What’s more, as the source of the mould hasn’t been addressed, it’s very likely it will return. MVHR systems not only remove pollutants from homes but also the humidity, reducing levels of condensation and preventing mould from forming.
5. Building Regulations
Changes to Building Regulations ‘Approved Document F, Volume 1: Dwellings’ (ADF1) came into effect on 15th June 2022. Across all sizes of properties, minimum ventilation rates were increased. In the case of larger properties with five bedrooms, the minimum ventilation rate went from 29 to 43l/s. To achieve these new ventilation rates, mechanical ventilation systems such as MVHRs are the most proficient option.
6. Value-add
Thanks to campaign groups, scientists and health professionals raising awareness, along with some high-profile tragic cases where two children have died – one from air pollution and the other from mould in his home - the general public are more aware than ever before of the importance of good air quality. Stories of extreme overheating in properties located in urban heat islands are also making national news. For housebuilders, an MVHR system can therefore be an attractive proposition to home buyers, providing them with good indoor air quality, added comfort and energy efficiency.
These six points all provide a powerful argument for including MVHR systems into your new residential developments. So, if you haven’t really considered MVHR systems previously, isn’t it time to think again?
Domus Ventilation is a manufacturer of market-leading ventilation systems that save energy and improve indoor air quality.
1 UK Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery (MVHR) Market size published February 2024 by Verified Market Research
2 https://www.cse.org.uk/advice/mechanical-ventilation-with-heat-recovery/