When it comes to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, there are a few different options. One increasingly popular choice is mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR). But what exactly is MVHR, and how does it differ from traditional HVAC systems? MVHR vs HVAC, what's the difference? Let's take a closer look.
First, let's start with the basics: what is HVAC? HVAC refers to a building's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. These systems work together to maintain a comfortable and healthy indoor environment.
Heating: The heating system is responsible for keeping the indoor temperature warm. Done usually by heating air or water and distributing it throughout the building.
Ventilation: The ventilation system is responsible for bringing fresh air into the building and removing stale air. This is important for maintaining indoor air quality and preventing the buildup of pollutants and allergens.
Air conditioning: The air conditioning system is responsible for cooling the indoor temperature. This is done by removing heat from the air and releasing it outside.
In traditional HVAC systems, these three functions are often under the control of a thermostat. The system may use a central air handler to circulate air throughout the building. However, it may use individual units in each room.
Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) is a type of ventilation system. The design intention is to be more energy efficient than traditional HVAC systems. MVHR works by using a heat exchanger to recover heat from the air it vents out of the building. MVHR then uses this air to warm up the fresh air it brings in.
In an MVHR system, there are two separate air streams: one that brings fresh air into the building, and one that removes stale air. The two streams are separated by a heat exchanger, which allows heat to be transferred from the outgoing air to the incoming air.
Because the incoming air is pre-warmed, less energy is required to heat it up to the desired temperature. This makes MVHR systems more energy-efficient than traditional HVAC systems, which simply vent out warm air and replace it with cold air.
Read more about this in a previous article What is MVHR?
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Now that we understand what both MVHR and HVAC systems are, let's take a closer look at some of the key differences between the two.
Energy efficiency: One of the main differences between MVHR and traditional HVAC systems is energy efficiency. MVHR systems use a more energy-efficient design than traditional HVAC systems, as they use a heat exchanger to recover heat from the outgoing air.
Indoor air quality: Another important difference between MVHR and HVAC systems is their impact on indoor air quality. MVHR systems provide a constant supply of fresh air, which can help to reduce the buildup of pollutants and allergens. HVAC systems, on the other hand, may not provide as much fresh air and may be less effective at removing pollutants from the air.
Read about the risks of condensation in our previous article What Causes Condensation?
Cost: MVHR systems can be more expensive to install than traditional HVAC systems, due to the need for a heat exchanger and other specialized components. However, they may be more cost-effective in the long run due to their energy efficiency.
Maintenance: Both MVHR and HVAC systems require regular maintenance to ensure that they are functioning properly. However, MVHR systems may require more specialised maintenance due to the complexity of the heat exchanger and other components.
Noise: HVAC systems can be quite noisy, particularly if they use central air handlers that are located in the building. MVHR systems are typically quieter, as the air flows through ducts and is distributed through individual vents.
In summary, HVAC systems provide heating, ventilation, and air conditioning to buildings. While MVHR systems can regulate the air temperature while providing fresh air to the building and removing stale air. However, MVHR systems use a more energy-efficient design than traditional HVAC.
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