Air conditioning is now an essential part of any home, and most people often prefer a residence with an air conditioning system. When most people, however, consider HVAC systems, they pay attention to the heating and cooling systems but forget the ‘’V’’, which stands for ventilation.
The ventilation component of your unit is vital because it removes ambient air from your home but still maintains the ideal temperature. Mechanical ventilation systems are the most common ones for air conditioning units now. These will extract stale air from your interiors and supply fresh air through your rooms.
The mechanical ventilation unit will release some moisture that will not go into the air conditioner drain pump when it breaks down. It will affect the quality of the air in your interiors and the energy inefficiency of your entire HVAC unit. You should choose the right mechanical ventilation system that suits your home. Here are some alternatives you might consider.
MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery) Systems
These are energy recovery systems that will use air-to-air heat exchangers for the recovery of air conditioning heat that is often wasted. MVHR systems supply and extract air flowing in and out of your building to guarantee an optimal indoor air quality and recover up to 90% of heat. They work independently from your heating systems and will guarantee considerable energy savings. Moreover, MVHR units eliminate condensation and consequently, the risk of moisture damage in buildings.
C-MEV (Centralised Mechanical Extract Ventilation) Systems
These are continuous and low-energy systems that will extract stale and moist air from several rooms at the same time. They are more efficient and quiet than individual fans. C-MEV units are placed in the roof or loft space and contribute to energy savings since they need no extractor fans for the wet spaces in your interiors. Moreover, they have minimal risk of air leakage and heat drafts or loss.
D-MEV (Decentralised Mechanical Extract Ventilation) Systems
These are designed to replace traditional fans used in wet areas like the kitchen and bathroom. They are low energy systems that will extract moist air continuously at low rates and energy. D-MEV units, unlike C-MEV units, will only extract the air in one room at a time.
PIV (Positive Input Ventilation) Systems
These are loft or wall-mounted systems that will push filtered air through your interiors. The PIV systems are perfect for those who deal with high condensation levels in their properties that contribute to mould. They are often fitted in your hallways and will continuously generate a filtered and subtle air supply from the air and heat trapped in your roof’s void. The loft-mounted units also come in solar energy variants that maximise your indoor comfort while reducing your energy expenses.
Several ‘’online experts’’ make it seem like buying an HVAC unit is as simple as walking to the store and picking the size and design. Choosing a unit and installing it is far from easy. You will need a professional’s input to guide you in picking the best mechanical ventilation systems to suit your property.
