Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV)
SC Air Tightness & Ventilation are suppliers and installers of Heat Recovery Ventilation Systems.
We have researched the market place, tested and have selected only the best quality heat recovery units available in today’s market. We ensure that all systems are designed correctly, whilst meeting our clients’ needs, enabling the systems to perform effectively and efficiently, while achieving best practice. Below are a few different systems we have installed.
We provide a full back up service on all HRV systems offering comprehensive servicing and maintenance, and fully stocked with all replacement filters and spare parts. There is a 3 year warranty on all systems.
What is Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV)?
A Heat Recovery Ventilation system allows your home to breathe by continuously extracting moist stale air from areas like the kitchen, toilets and utility areas. This air passes through a heat exchanger and its heat is used to warm the incoming filtered fresh air. This fresh air is then supplied to the bedrooms and living areas.
The efficiency of the HRV unit is largely determined by the distribution system (ducting). The ducting must be installed correctly, without leakage, and be robust enough to last the lifetime of the home. For these reasons we advise a manifold distribution system. With this system, a semi rigid ducting is connected with mechanical fixings and sealing rings. This eliminates the need for unreliable tapes and facilitates cleaning of ducting in the future.
What are the benefits of Heat Recovery Ventilation?
Health: Filtered fresh air is circulated throughout your home day and night. On average most people spend over 80% of their time indoors. 50% of all illnesses are either caused by, or aggravated by poor indoor air quality. The HRV System will continuously remove stale moist air from your home creating a more suitable and healthy place to live.
Energy Efficiency: A HRV system will save you money and reduce your energy requirements for heating by re-using the heat that is normally lost through poor construction. A HRV system is also designed to operate continuously at a low rate to minimise the electrical energy consumption.
Condensation Control: All water vapour will be removed as it is produced. As a result there is no moisture condensation which causes rot, damp, condensation or mould growth.
Comfort: Comfort levels are superior in a house fitted with a HRV system. Irrespective of weather conditions draught free balanced ventilation is provided all the time.
What level of air tightness should be achieved so that a HRV system will be beneficial?
The revised Building Regulations will require that houses will need to achieve a result of below 7m³/hr/m². We suggest that all buildings should attempt to meet the best practice of 3m³/hr/m². With a level of 5m³/hr/m² the HRV system will add to comfort levels and reduce heating costs.
Below is a picture of recently installed ducting and airtight membrane sealed for maximum efficiency.
We are also members of the Irish Ventilation Industry Association. The IVIA promotes best practice for all elements of the business, from system design and installation through to commissioning and on-going maintenance. The IVIA represents the ventilation industry at a national level and is highly connected at EU level through other national and European Associations
