Heat Recovery FAQ

MVHR Ventilation FAQs

BPC Ventilation are the leading independent specialists on home ventilation and have trained technicians that can answer any queries you may have and can supply leading heat recovery brands such as Vent Axia, Airflow, Xpelair, Vortice, Domus and Nuaire.

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.

You could lower your heating costs by up to 30% against using window trickle vents and bathroom fans and improve the indoor air quality with fresh filtered air.

Will the indoor air quality in my home be improved with a heat recovery system?

There is a direct connection between the quality of air (caused by poor ventilation) and our ability to concentrate and perform productively, as well as the effects poor indoor air quality has on asthma or allergy sufferers. The ventilation unit 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.

With the use of Radial ductwork which is semi rigid and only 75mm in diamater, any installation is possible subject to available space. You can also look at the possibility of installing a system to only the first floor that normally stops any mould and condensation to the 1st floor bathrooms and bedrooms (the most affected areas).

How often do I need to change the heat recovery system filters?

Depending on your house location, the filters usually only need to be cleaned or changed every 6 months to a year.

BPC ventilation also have a range of filter media that can provide a cost efficient option of less than £10. If the filters are no longer available for your unit or the OEM are too expensive you could fit a filter box each side of the unit and a filter change could cost less than £20 per year. 

What's the guarantee on heat recovery systems?

Our heat recovery ventilation systems are covered by a 1 year to 5 year parts and labour warranty depending on unit.

Warranty on heat recovery units depends on the manufacturer and the model of unit. Vent Axia have a basic one year parts and labour and a further 4 years parts only. Airflow are parts only varying from 1 to 5 years.

How much does a heat recovery ventilation system cost?

The cost depends on the size of house, the number of extraction and distribution points required, and the air volume rate required for the house that determines the size of unit. We will design a bespoke system for each and every house with the choice of various available units to suit your budget and property.

further information on cost

Is a heat recovery system expensive to run?

With the newest generation EC low energy fans fitted, running costs are very low and are approximately the equivalent of a light bulb to run.

The main part of a heat recovery system is the counter flow heat exchanger which itself requires no power, the only power required is for the small fans to push the air around the house, power usage is very minimal and average annual cost can be as low as £20 to £30 and as most units recover on average 90% of the normally wasted heat any expenditure is easily offset

Can I install a heat recovery system myself?

Yes.

Our systems are sold for DIY installation or on a completely installed basis by our team of engineers. A detailed installation manual comes complete with every system, a commissioning service can also be provided for DIY installations. 

How can I ensure compliance with current building regulations with a heat recovery system?

All our systems are designed to comply with all building regulations and help improve SAP / BER ratings. It is required by Building Control to have the ventilation system commissioned, a service provided as standard for all installations by BPC.

When we provide a proposal or plan we can provide airflow rates that will satisfy building control. 

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 (if you use 30 L/s of air with a vent axia kinetic @ 0.5 SFP you would only use 15 watts of electricity)

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.

What is a Passive House approved heat recovery unit?

A passive house approved heat recovery unit has to be 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