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

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.

90mm semi-rigid ducting in webbed joists returning to 12-port steel manifold of MVHR system
90mm semi-rigid ducting in webbed joists returning to 12-port steel manifold of the MVHR system

The home has been stripped back to brick whilst still retaining original features.  It will feature a two-storey extension with EnerPHit levels of insulation, airtightness and comfort as part of London Architecture’s “Don’t Move, Improve” strategy. The renovated home will feature significantly improved insulation in the walls, floor and roof, as well as a robust airtightness strategy for fabric detailing, and a Passivhaus Institute-certified MVHR system to ensure fresh, filtered air is supplied into the home, and stale, humid air is exhausted in winter and summer.

The MVHR specified is capable of supplying up to 600m3hr of airflow at boost speed with 90mm radial ducting to each room and insulated closed-cell ducting to outside. This MVHR unit is highly regarded for controls, energy efficiency and acoustics, and represents one of the best heat recovery rates in the Passivhaus Institute and SAP-certified range.

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

The MVHR will be able to ventilate the entire air volume in the home every couple of hours and replace it with fresh, filtered air – particularly useful in summer to purge the hot daytime air, when nights are often cooler in the UK.

The unit also features Seasonal Detection via its four internal humidity and temperature sensors, which means the MVHR can recognise when Air Conditioning might be actively cooling the home – and will not seek to “fight” it. Not many MVHR units are “smart” enough to do this.

The flexibility of radial ducting allows for better ventilation coverage of the home than branched ductwork systems, which tend to be twice as large and are forced to feature large sound attenuator drums between rooms to prevent cross-talk.  The radial ductwork is double-walled for strength and smooth-sided internally, and its flexibility allows the ductwork to be run around, behind or above structural steel elements, making it straightforward and efficient to install.

Filtration will be provided by F7 filters, which are ISO ePM-1 standard and able to filter out carbon dust and other pollutants, making the indoor air exceptionally clean and healthy in a Central London setting.

If you would like to specify MVHR for your own build project, whether in London or elsewhere in the UK, please contact us or complete our free MVHR specification form with your details.

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