Can You Retrofit A Heat Recovery Ventilation System?
Heat recovery ventilation systems are an increasingly popular way of improving energy efficiency and enjoying fresh air in the home. With these clear benefits, it’s no wonder that growing numbers of new-build properties will come with a Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) unit as standard. However, this technology is less commonly associated with older or existing homes leading many homeowners seeking a greener and healthier living environment to ask if you can retrofit a heat recovery ventilation system.
The good news is that yes, retrofitting an MVHR system is indeed a viable option in many homes though there are extra considerations that you will have to make if you are considering this kind of home upgrade.
What Is A Heat Recovery Ventilation System & Why Consider Retrofitting One?
Before delving into the things you will need to be aware of when retrofitting a heat recovery ventilation system, it’s worth taking the time to understand how this technology works and how it could benefit your home.
Good ventilation is crucial in any home as it ensures that the air you are breathing in is healthy. However, many old homes are not designed with this in mind which can lead to mould, condensation, and an all-round uncomfortable environment. Heat recovery systems offer a solution to this problem as (when retrofitted correctly) they can help to control humidity levels and ensure that warm and healthy air is pushed through the home. This is achieved by the unit extracting stale air from the inside and simultaneously bringing in fresh air from outdoors via a heat exchanger.
Things To Consider When Retrofitting A Heat Recovery Ventilation System
If you think that your existing property could benefit from a heat recovery ventilation system then your next steps are to find out whether your home is actually suitable for the installation process.
MVHR systems are complex, with a number of ducts that run around the house and the main unit to be installed. As we have highlighted, installing this technology in an existing home is possible but the construction of your property will determine whether or not the retrofitting process is possible. For this reason, you should always construct an experienced MVHR system designer, who can assess your property and offer a suggestion of the most suitable ducting routes as well as a recommended size and location for the unit itself.
You should also weigh up how the construction of your property may affect the performance of a heat recovery ventilation system. Typically, the home needs to be well-insulated and as airtight as possible for an MVHR unit to operate efficiently and therefore for an MVHR retrofit to be successful.
Providing your property is suitable for a heat recovery ventilation system, you should still bear in mind that the retrofitting process will still come with some disruption and upheaval. This further reinforces why you should always get the system designed by an expert, as they can ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum with suitable ducting routes planned from the outset. With this in mind, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the experts here at Pipelife. Our team has years of experience designing highly efficient heat recovery ventilation systems for Irish homes and can provide you with professional advice about the next steps for your property.