FAQ’s and info

Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) is a type of ventilation system that helps improve indoor air quality while also reducing energy consumption. Heat recovery ventilation systems work by exchanging the air inside a building with fresh outdoor air, but with the added benefit of recovering heat from the outgoing air to warm the incoming air. This means that the fresh air brought in from outside is preheated, making it more comfortable and reducing the need for additional heating.

HRV systems typically consist of two separate air ducts, one for bringing in fresh outdoor air and the other for expelling stale indoor air. The two ducts are connected through a heat exchanger, which allows for the transfer of heat from the outgoing air to the incoming air. The heat exchanger is typically made of a heat-conductive material, such as aluminium, and it can recover up to 93% of the heat from the outgoing air.

Heat Recovery Ventilation Systems can help remove pollutants, allergens, and excess moisture from the indoor air, promoting a healthier living environment.

Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) works by recovering heat from extract air that would normally be expelled to the atmosphere and transfers this heat to fresh air being drawn into the property via a heat exchanger. The Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) system then distributes this throughout your property via a network of ducting.

The ducting is brought to each habitable room and each wet room within your property. Each wet room is fitted with an extract valve and each habitable room with a supply valve.

The Heat Recovery Ventilation System continually extracts from the wet rooms, boosting if necessary, removing the pollutant air quickly and effectively at its source. This air then passes up through the network of ducting and travels through a heat exchanger where its heat passes to the fresh filtered air which is being brought into the property at the same time.

The HRV system runs on trickle speed continuously and is boosted when an increased rate of ventilation is needed, for example bathing or cooking.
When the weather is warmer a summer by-pass function helps to ensure comfort levels in the home. When this function is activated the property continues to be ventilated with fresh filtered air but the heat recovery process is switched off intermittently and therefore ‘by-passed’.

Brookvent design and manufacture extremely efficient aircycle HRV systems, which are capable of recovering upwards of 93% of the heat from the outgoing air.

A Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) system is a type of mechanical ventilation system that is designed to extract stale air from inside a building and replace it with fresh, filtered air from outside. HRV systems also have the added benefit of recovering heat energy from the extracted air before it is expelled outside, which can help to reduce energy consumption and heating costs.

Some of the specific benefits of an Heat Recovery Ventilation System include:

1. Improved indoor air quality: HRV systems can help to reduce the concentration of indoor air pollutants such as carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other contaminants, which can have a negative impact on health and wellbeing.
2. Energy efficiency: HRV systems can help to reduce heating and cooling costs by recovering heat energy from the extracted air and using it to preheat incoming fresh air.
3. Reduced condensation and mold growth: By ventilating moisture-laden air out of a building, HRV systems can help to reduce the risk of condensation, mold growth, and other moisture-related problems.
4. Better comfort: HRV systems can help to maintain a comfortable indoor environment by regulating indoor humidity levels and preventing the buildup of stale air.
5. Noise reduction: Because HRV systems use ductwork to circulate air, they can help to reduce noise levels compared to other types of ventilation systems that use fans.
6. Gain SAP points – Brookvent’s aircycle HRV systems are SAP approved and succeed in reducing CO2 Dwelling Emission Rate (DER). Specifiers, Low Carbon Consultants and Architects can gain SAP points for your property by using our product’s specific performance information instead of standard default information provided in the SAP register

Overall, Heat Recovery Ventilation Systems can provide a range of benefits for both residential and commercial buildings, including improved indoor air quality, energy efficiency, and comfort.

Design: it is absolutely vital to have your Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) system installed properly. This begins with a good design. Brookvent is very experienced in system design and provides professional guidance on ducting routes across a wide variety of residential properties.

Installation: HRV systems are generally installed in two stages – 1st and 2nd fix. At 1st fix stage the majority of the ducting is installed, as per the system design, and any wiring requirements are provided for, including the tracking of remote sensors such as humidistats. At 2nd fix stage the system is installed, all ducting and wiring is connected, ceiling valves are fixed to the ducting point in each room, and the condensation drain from the system is installed. Finally the system is commissioned as per the appropriate Building Regulations.

Performance: the size and location of the HRV unit is extremely important. The unit must be fit for purpose, taking into consideration the size of the property and associated airflow rates. Brookvent is a BPEC Centre of Excellence and installs to the highest standards to achieve best performance.

Commissioning: Brookvent issue commissioning certificates detailing the measured installed airflow performance of each system against design requirements. Finally, each unit’s operational and maintenance requirements are clearly defined and demonstrated to ensure competent user operation and optimum system performance. At Brookvent we have adapted our products based on customer feedback so they can be installed easily, often in compact spaces, and accurately commissioned.

Yes, it is possible to get a heat recovery ventilation system installed in your existing home. Heat recovery ventilation systems are becoming increasingly popular in residential homes, especially those with good insulation and airtightness.

There are different types of heat recovery ventilation systems available, and the installation process can vary depending on the system you choose. In general, the process involves installing ductwork in your home to allow for the circulation of fresh air and the removal of stale air, as well as the installation of a heat recovery unit to recover heat from the outgoing air and transfer it to the incoming air.

We have specialists here at Brookvent that can see which heat recovery ventilation systems is best suited for your home and to ensure that it is installed correctly. We will also provide you on any potential challenges that may arise during the installation process and help you navigate any necessary permits or building codes. Contact us today!

All Brookvent aircycle Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) systems are SAP approved and use EC fan technology which helps to ensure a low Specific Fan Power (SFP) which means our systems run as efficiently as possible.

Heat Recovery Ventilation systems will generally save significantly more money through heat recovery versus what it costs to run the system, therefore covering its own cost of running and also contributing towards savings on the space heating bill of the property, in some cases up to 20%.

The Energy Savings Trust state that in an energy efficient house with high insulation values, the energy loss due to purpose provided ventilation accounts for approximately one third of the space-heating energy demand (i.e. the energy lost by extracting warm pollutant air from bathrooms, opening windows, and opening window vents).

(Energy Savings Trust (2006), GPG268: Energy Efficient Ventilation in Dwellings ‘A Guide for Specifiers’ pg.3)

This means in a average property where the space heating bill can typically cost around £750 per year, £225 of this total is lost due to purpose provided ventilation. Brookvent Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) systems typically operate at up to 93% efficiency depending on the ventilation demand of the property.

Larger homes with larger ventilation requirements result in the air moving though the heat exchange core at a faster rate, therefore reducing the amount of heat transfer time. If at the very minimum, the system recovers 80% of this £255 loss, this results in an estimated energy saving of £180 per year.

Most Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) systems including the Brookvent aircycle range, are air-to-air types. These recover heat from the exhaust air stream and use it to pre-condition the incoming air from outside. The effectiveness of these units is given by its heat recovery efficiency i.e. the proportion of waste heat that is usefully recovered by the process (this figure is typically expressed as a percentage).

A heat recovery unit will reduce the amount of energy needed to heat up the incoming air to room temperature. This benefit must always be balanced against the electrical power requirements needed to drive the process. HRV systems are most efficient in more airtight homes, where almost all ventilation takes place via the heat exchange core. The concept is simple, the less heat that is lost through the leaks in the building envelope then the more heat there is to recover.

The Energy Savings Trust Best Practice recommendation for heat recovery efficiency is 85% or higher. Brookvent’s aircycle 3.1 Heat Recovery Ventilation unit currently achieves up to 93% heat recovery efficiency which makes it one of the market leaders in the industry.

Mechanical systems require electrical power to operate, including power to the fans, any compressor(s) and transformer(s) and control and safety devices. The term ‘specific fan power’ is used to compare the electrical energy use for different ventilation systems as installed (i.e. allowing for system resistance).

Specific Fan Power (SFP) is defined by the Energy Savings Trust as: ‘The power consumption, in Watts, of the fan (plus any other electrical system components) divided by the air flow through the system, in Watts per litre per second (W/l/s)’.

In a heat recovery system, the SFP is an important parameter because it directly affects the energy consumption and operating costs of the system. A lower SFP means that the fan is more efficient, and therefore requires less power to move the same amount of air. This translates to lower energy consumption and operating costs, as well as lower carbon emissions.

Specific Fan Power Calculation: Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV)
For a small house with a Kitchen + 1 Wet Room the minimum extraction airflow rate is 21 l/s (Part F: Eng & Wales 2010). If the unit consumes 15 watts to achieve this rate of air flow then: SFP: 15 / 21 = 0.71 W/l/s

The Energy Savings Trust Best Practice recommendation for SFP is 1 W/l/s or lower. Brookvent’s aircycle 3.1 Heat Recovery Ventilation unit currently achieves a SFP down to 0.37 W/l/s, which makes it the market leader in terms of efficiency.

On our Brookvent Heat Recovery Ventilation HRV Systems, we offer a 1 year labour and 5 year warranty on the MVHR units. View our MVHR Systems today.

Depending on the location of the building, we would recommend that you change the Heat Recovery Ventilation System filters every 6-12 months. If you need to order your filters now; click on the links below;

Aircycle 1.1 Heat Recovery Ventilation Unit

Aircycle 1.2/ Aircycle 1.3/13+ Heat Recovery Ventilation Unit

Aircycle 3.1/ Aircycle 4.1 Heat Recovery Ventilation Unit