90mm semi-rigid radial MVHR ducting installation in London deep energy retrofit

90mm semi-rigid ducting in webbed joists and passing through core-drilled blockwork wall for MVHR system

The first fix MVHR installation of a 90mm radial ducted Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) system continues. Designed and supplied by Heat, Space and Light Ltd and installed by our recommended third party installers, the MVHR system forms part of the low energy retrofit of a 340m2 Georgian home in Finchley, London N2. The … Read more

Flat 51mm ducting MVHR system installation in low ceiling building

Flat 51mm semi-rigid ducting running pinned neatly to ceiling joists to prevent loss of room height

The Heat, Space and Light team has designed and supplied a flat 51mm semi-rigid ducting MVHR system for a basement home in London, in order not to lose any room height. The ducting measures a mere 51mm in height, is crush-proof and has smooth and anti-bacterial lining within the duct. Installed by our trusted installers … Read more

High performance MVHR upgrade to improve home comfort

Old MVHR unit before replacement in the loft

Heat, Space and Light Ltd has replaced and re-commissioned an under-performing MVHR unit with a brand new 91% efficient Zehnder MVHR in a self-built eco home in Glastonbury, Somerset. The old MVHR was a weak link in an otherwise exceptionally high performance, energy efficient home. The new MVHR unit now features Automatic Summer Bypass, important … Read more

Cheap MVHR or expensive MVHR? The science behind Heat Exchanger Efficiency

Building dust is visible inside the heat exchanger as the filter doesn't fit properly - this will damage the heat exchanger

A Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery (MVHR) unit is a cornerstone of a low energy home with healthy indoor air. There are a lot of MVHRs on the market, and one way to compare between another is to look at its Heat Exchanger Efficiency score. Today I’ll explain what to watch for when comparing a cheap … Read more

MVHR compatibility with underfloor heating, air conditioning, heat pumps and cooker hoods

This article will explain MVHR’s compatibility with other mechanical services within the home such as underfloor heating, air conditioning, heat pumps and cooker hoods. An MVHR system is a future-facing home technology that will help achieve the UK’s low carbon climate change goals, so it’s important that it works well. MVHR and underfloor heating An … Read more

MVHR retrofit design and installation in a 100-year old cottage

Loft-fitted Zehnder Q350 MVHR with pre-heater by Heatspaceandlight.com

We have completed the design and first fix installation of a Zehnder Q350 MVHR system with ComfoTube ducting into a 100-year-old cottage that’s undergoing a low energy retrofit upgrade. The MVHR system will improve the indoor air quality, comfort and energy efficiency, but also protect the century-old building fabric by ensuring indoor humidity is dealt … Read more

Cotswold new build is 55x more airtight than Building Regs and 3x more airtight than Passivhaus

It is subtle and understated in its impact on UK housing, but this new build bungalow home is one of the most energy efficient buildings in the world – and represents the future of housebuilding in the UK and Europe. We pressure tested the home this December using a calibrated airtightness testing fan and it … Read more

What’s the difference between an MVHR Heat Exchanger and an Enthalpy that recovers moisture?

Internal mechanism of an MVHR unit

If you’re researching installing a Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) system for your project, you may have heard of an Enthalpy heat exchanger or ERV (Energy Recovery Ventilation). But what is an “Enthalpy” heat exchanger? How does it change humidity in the home? And is it expensive to install? The basics of enthalpy heat … Read more

Why does my home have mould? And can an MVHR solve it?

If you’ve ever seen black mould in your home, you’re not alone. The problem with black mould is that unless it’s dealt with correctly (as I’ll explain below), it’s hazardous to health, not nice to look at – and will keep coming back. Mould is formed when a surface provides the right conditions for it to … Read more

How does an MVHR System help stop summer overheating?

Internal mechanism of an MVHR unit

Can an MVHR system help to cool your home in summer? Yes, a Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery system (MVHR) can help to cool your home in summer, and it does it in a way that is quiet and automatic, using only the energy equivalent of two LED lightbulbs. This is the control panel of … Read more