The Air Shop is more than an ecommerce store. Yes, you can find a wide range of market leading solutions at very competitive prices (often the best on the web) but we are also a team of experienced specialists who can offer extensive support and advice on solutions for new and existing homes.
We are independent, know the Building Regulations inside out and how to work around different property designs and layouts. We can supply leading heat recovery brands such as Vent Axia, Nuaire, Zehnder, Greenwood, Environment and more, including certified PassivHaus MVHR Units.
What is heat recovery ventilation?
Heat Recovery Ventilation is a whole house system that supplys air and extracts air to a home.
The system runs continuously to provide fresh filtered air and remove pollutants and particles in the air that cause condensation and mould, allergies and are harmful to our health.
From all of the wet rooms it extracts air (bathrooms, kitchens etc)
It supplys air to all habitable rooms (living, bedrooms, offices etc)
It has a heat exchanger inside which recovers heat from the extracted air and re-uses it in the supply air (turned off in the summer via summer by-pass)
It also have supply and extract air filters which help protect the unit from dust, debris and grease build up and ensure good indoor quality is maintained.
Does a heat recovery system save me money?
Heat recovery systems are designed to recover on average 90% of the heat normally lost through open windows, trickle vents and other break-out points i.e extractor fans. The systems will through time, off-set the heating costs and reduce energy bills, making it a worthwhile investment. It's always a balance between effective ventilation and heat loss - this is the perfect solution - ideal for modern new build homes.
Will the indoor air quality in my home be improved with a heat recovery system?
The relationship between indoor air quality and our health and well-being is significant.
There is a direct connection between the quality of air and our ability to concentrate, sleep and it also triggers asthma or allergy sufferers. A MVHR Heat Recovery system filters the incoming air to remove pollutants and insects and provides the constant supply of clean, fresh, warm, filtered air reduces symptoms for asthma and allergy sufferers.
Can a heat recovery ventilation system be installed in my existing home?
Yes, this is possible, but you will only reap the rewards of a heat recovery system if you insulate your property well - otherwise all of the heat that you can recover and reuse will exit the building through natural cracks and openings in the facade. If you have a well insulated homes, then with the use of different types of ducting it will be possible subject to available space. You can also look at the possibility of installing a system on each floor.
How often do I need to change the heat recovery system filters?
It is recommended that you check and replace your MVHR Filters every 6 months, but this really depends on your house location and your indoor air quality needs. If you live in a polluted area it will soon become apparant by the build up of thick black muck and particles. When the fitlers are clogged and dirty they can't do the job they are supposed to do, so it is important to regularly check and replace.
What's the guarantee on heat recovery systems?
Warranty on heat recovery units depends on the manufacturer and the model of unit. Please ask us and we will confirm.
How much does a heat recovery ventilation system cost?
It is important that a heat recovery system is sized for your property. It's not just about the unit, but also the ducting. To determine what heat recovery unit you will need, a calculation based on the size of house, the number of extraction and distribution points required, duct runs and the air volume rate required. You don't want to undersize the heat recovery system as it will have to work harder to do the job which will introduce nuisance noise and running.
Call us to discuss what heat recovery system you need for your property.
Is a heat recovery system expensive to run?
No - absolutely not. Low energy motor design means a heat recovery system costs between £20-30 per annum to run - and it's on all day every day. This is a very small price to pay for a comfortable indoor environment. The best bit is that the heat exchanger inside the unit is recovering up to 95% of the heat in the air and re-using this in the supply air (turned off via summer by pass in the summer)
Can I install a heat recovery system myself?
If you replacing an existing system at a very basic level you will need to work with a qualified electrican who can decommission/disconnect the heat recovery ventilation system and then connect and wire in the new system. If you are installing a new system with new duct runs it may be beneficial to consult with a specialist to discuss layouts and connections. Air leakage through poor duct connections, crushed connections or the wrong type of ducting have impact on the overall performance of the system. All MVHR Systems should be balanced and commissioned as well - this will require a BPEC or NICEIC accredited engineer.
How can I ensure compliance with current Building Regulations with a heat recovery system?
You will need to follow Part F of the Building Regulations for requirements of airflow calculations for your property size.
A design/layout is a good idea to ensure the system is sized correctly
We partner with HRV Group who are specialists in MVHR System installation - we can advise on the correct unit based on your property size and requirements.
What is SFP on a heat recovery system? (Specific Fan Power)
SFP (Specific fan power) is the amount of energy required measured in watts per litre of air per second (L/s) and is used in the industry to measure the power efficiency of the heat recovery unit Put simply, the lower the SFP, the better the energy use of the unit. Also the better the % of heat recovery the more heat is recovered - if you look at the figures of the many brands that are available, the energy performance is very close. When choosing a MVHR system you should also consider pressure devleopment - how the unit motor handles pressure (which is created when ducting is added) - the better the pressure handling the lower the fan has to run, the quieter the unit once it's installed.
What is a Passive House Approved heat recovery unit?
Passive House is the ultimate comfort design for housing. It utilises a fabric first approach and aims to use as little energy as possible. A Heat Recovery system is crucial to a Passive House. Choosing a Passive house approved heat recovery unit is important as it will have been tested under stringent examination to fulfil a German standard of air tightness and quality fitness with the option to provide a pre-heater during cold winter spells.
Further information on passive house systems