As summer approaches and temperatures rise, many homeowners use Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems to keep their homes cool and comfortable. But how exactly does an MVHR system work in the summer months? Let's take a closer look.
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MVHR systems work by extracting stale, humid air from inside a building and replacing it with fresh, filtered air from outside. In the summer, this fresh air can be cooler than the air inside the building, providing a natural and energy-efficient way to cool the home.
The MVHR system achieves this using a heat exchanger, which captures the heat from the outgoing stale air and transfers it to the incoming fresh air. This process, known as heat recovery, ensures the home remains comfortable while minimising energy consumption.
Read more about how MVHR works in our article How Does MVHR Work?
When the outdoor temperature is cooler than the indoor temperature, the MVHR system essentially works in reverse. In this mode, the system extracts the warm air from the building and sends it outside, while bringing in cool air from outside. The heat exchanger transfers the heat from the outgoing warm air to the incoming cool air, ensuring that the home remains at a comfortable temperature without the need for air conditioning.
MVHR systems can also help to regulate humidity levels in the summer. By extracting humid air from inside the home and replacing it with fresh, dry air from outside, the system can help to reduce the risk of mould growth and improve indoor air quality.
However, it's important to note that the effectiveness of an MVHR system in the summer will depend on a variety of factors, including the climate in your area, the size and layout of your home, and the efficiency of your system. In areas with high humidity levels, for example, the system may need to work harder to remove excess moisture from the air.
Learn more about condensation caused by excess moisture in our article What Causes Condensation?
To ensure that your MVHR system is working efficiently in the summer, it's important to keep up with regular maintenance, including cleaning the filters and ensuring that the ductwork is free of obstructions. You may also want to consider adjusting the settings on your system to optimise performance in the warmer months.
Learn how to clean your MVHR filters in our article How Do You Clean MVHR Filters?
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In conclusion, an MVHR system can be an effective and energy-efficient way to keep your home cool and comfortable in the summer months. By using a heat exchanger to transfer heat from the outgoing stale air to the incoming fresh air, the system can help to regulate temperature and humidity levels while minimising energy consumption. Just be sure to keep up with regular maintenance to ensure optimal performance.
Don't forget MVHR can help you meet Part F of Building Regulations
