Benefits of mechanical ventilation with heat recovery

Benefits of Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery

In a modern home, indoor air quality is just as important as thermal insulation or energy efficiency. Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) is an advanced solution that continuously renews indoor air without losing the heat accumulated inside the home. What does this mean in practice? More comfort, lower energy consumption, and a healthier living environment.

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What is Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery?

It is a system that extracts stale air from inside the home (from bathrooms, kitchen, living room…) and replaces it with fresh outdoor air. It does this through a heat exchanger that transfers thermal energy from the outgoing air to the incoming air, thereby reducing heat loss in winter or the entry of hot air in summer.

Main Benefits for Your Home

1. Significant Energy Savings

Thanks to heat recovery, the need to use heating or cooling systems is reduced. This results in lower energy consumption and a reduced utility bill.

2. Improved Indoor Air Quality

Constant air renewal prevents the buildup of CO₂, humidity, dust, pollen, or pollutants. This is especially beneficial for people with allergies or respiratory issues.

3. Greater Thermal Comfort

The air entering the home is not at the outside ambient temperature, but pre-tempered, avoiding cold or hot drafts depending on the season.

4. Elimination of Humidity and Bad Odors

A properly sized MVHR system prevents condensation, mold, and persistent odors in bathrooms or kitchens.

Components of a Heat Recovery Unit

A heat recovery unit consists of several elements that work together to efficiently reuse thermal energy. The main components are the heat exchangers and the fans.

Heat Exchanger

The heat exchanger is responsible for transferring thermal energy between two airflows: one warm and one cold. This transfer occurs without the two airstreams mixing. The efficiency of the recovery unit largely depends on the type of exchanger used. The most common types are:

1. Crossflow plate heat exchanger:

Offers an efficiency above 73%. Its design allows the airstreams to cross at perpendicular angles, improving heat transfer.‍

2. Parallel flow heat exchanger:

Reaches an efficiency of approximately 90%. The airstreams move in the same direction, allowing for high thermal performance.‍

3. High-efficiency rotary heat exchanger:

Uses a rotating wheel that stores and transfers heat between airstreams. Efficiency ranges from 73% to 82%, depending on the design and operating conditions.

Fans

The system also includes fans that control the airflow. Two main fans are used: one for extracting indoor air and another for supplying fresh outdoor air. Fan selection depends on the required airflow volume and the necessary air renewal rate.

For optimal performance, the use of EC (electronically commutated) fans is recommended. These fans are more energy-efficient and offer better speed control. Their use improves the overall operation of the heat recovery unit and reduces electricity consumption.

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Why install it?

Mechanical ventilation with a heat recovery system not only improves comfort, it also extends the lifespan of a home by protecting it from moisture and particulate matter. This technology is especially recommended for highly energy-efficient homes, passive houses, or comprehensive renovation projects.