With the current emphasis on energy efficiency and improving indoor air quality in residential buildings, those undertaking renovation projects are looking for cost effective ways to incorporate systems such as Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) into their projects.
Mechanical ventilation addresses both efficiency and air quality concerns and is particularly valuable in retrofit projects, where they can significantly improve the overall comfort and environmental performance of existing homes. In this article, we will delve into the process for planning an MVHR retrofit system, while also exploring the pros and cons associated with this sustainable home improvement.
Contact us to discuss MVHR for your renovation
Planning your MVHR retrofit project
If you are considering a mechanical ventilation system in your retrofit project then here are some things for you to consider in the early stages of your project;
Initial Assessment: Before embarking on an MVHR retrofit project, it’s crucial to conduct a comprehensive assessment of your home. This includes evaluating the existing ventilation system, insulation levels, and overall building envelope. This initial step will help determine the feasibility and potential benefits of installing an MVHR system.
System Sizing: Properly sizing your MVHR system is essential to ensure optimal performance. Factors such as the size of your home, the number of occupants, and local climate conditions must be considered. Oversized or undersized systems can lead to inefficiencies and wasted energy.
Ductwork Design: Retrofitting an MVHR system often involves integrating ductwork into an existing structure. This requires careful planning to minimize disruption and maintain the aesthetic appeal of your home. Seek professional guidance to design a ductwork layout that optimizes air distribution as early as possible in your project.
Unit Selection: There is a wide range of MVHR units available on the market, each with its features and efficiency ratings. Choosing the right unit that aligns with your specific needs and budget is crucial. Look for systems with high heat recovery efficiency (typically over 80%) and low noise levels. In our opinion, the Dantherm Climate Control range is one of the best MVHR systems for domestic properties because it is user-friendly and durable, as well as offering superb integration with other systems around the home.
Unit housing: The system you select will also depend on the space you have available for housing the key components. Dantherm MVHR systems are compact and can be installed in ceiling voids or hidden away in a dedicated cupboard.
Maintenance Plan: Regular maintenance is key to keeping your ventillation system running smoothly. Develop a maintenance plan that includes cleaning or replacing filters, inspecting ducts, and checking the heat exchanger for any issues.
Typical cost for a retrofit MVHR system
As with most things relating to your project, the cost of a retrofit mechanical ventilation system will depend on the complexity of your design and user requirements such as;
- Size of rooms
- Number of rooms
- Ducting design
- Number of integrations required
For a typical 4 bed renovation in the UK, an MVHR system may cost between £3,500 and £4,800 plus installation. Getting you ventilation supplier involved in the project as early as possible to determine ducting design will help keep costs down and ensure that you have the correct design for the long-term efficiency of the system.
ENERPHIT. Passive House retrofitting renovation low energy homes
EnerPHit is a certification and standard developed by the Passive House Institute (PHI) specifically for the renovation and retrofit of existing buildings to meet Passivehaus performance criteria. The Passivehause concept is known for its highly energy-efficient, comfortable, and sustainable building design, which significantly reduces energy consumption for heating and cooling.
EnerPHit takes these principles and adapts them for the refurbishment of older or existing buildings, which may have inherent challenges when it comes to achieving such high energy performance standards.
As EnerPHit places emphasis on achieving a high level of airtightness to minimize heat loss and ensure consistent indoor environmental quality, to keep the indoor air healthy requires intervention that is reliable and well designed to meet the needs of the space. Mechanical ventilation systems with heat recovery (MVHR) is often used to provide continuous fresh air while recovering heat from the outgoing air, which is essential for maintaining good indoor air quality.
We can work with your architects and design teams to help you achieve a EnerPHit standard of renovation.
Retrofit MVHR systems, Sheffield & East Sussex
Retrofitting an MVHR system into an existing home is a smart investment for those looking to enhance indoor air quality, reduce energy consumption, and improve overall comfort. However, it’s essential to carefully plan the project, taking into account factors like system sizing, ductwork design, and maintenance.
The pros, including improved indoor air quality, energy efficiency, and comfort, often outweigh the cons, such as initial cost and maintenance requirements.
Ultimately, MVHR systems contribute to a more sustainable and comfortable living environment in retrofit projects, aligning with the growing demand for eco-friendly and healthy homes. We consider Dantherm Climate Solutions to be one of the best MVHR systems for the domestic market for both retrofit and new builds for a number of reasons, this is why we are proud to be Dantherm UK and Ireland distributors.
We are suppliers of the Dantherm MVHR system and can help with your retrofit MVHR design as well as the installation of your system via one of our approved UK based Dantherm installers. We are based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire and have offices in Rye, East Sussex and help builders, self builders, architects, and MVHR installers throughout the UK.
