Case Study: Cool, low energy renovation for London townhouse with MVHR

Heat, Space and Light Ltd has completed the design, supply and commissioning of an MVHR system in a four-storey London terraced home. The property has undergone a deep retrofit to EnerPHit criteria, which is the retrofit standard for Passivhaus. Passivhaus building standards are a stringent methodology using high levels of insulation, airtightness and ventilation with … Read more

North Scotland new build built airtight with MVHR

Air permeability testing a new build in Skye

Heat, Space and Light Ltd has completed the fabric airtightness permeability testing and design, supply and commissioning of an MVHR system at a new build in the beautiful Isle of Skye. The low energy home, which faces a bracing cold wind from the ocean, was built in timber frame on site. The home is located … Read more

Is my home too draughty for MVHR?

Airtightness pressure test kit installed in retrofit home achieving 1 score

As much as 25% of the heat loss of a building is via air leakages in the building fabric (ie, draughts). The airtightness of the building fabric is therefore an important metric to measure and improve as much as possible when building or renovating a home. Equally, a more airtight building also improves comfort, acoustics … Read more

MVHR system balancing and handover in Surrey luxury eco new build

MVHR system installed into plant room next to Air Source Heat Pump and hot water cylinder

Our MVHR design and commissioning team has recently completed the detailed ductwork design, supply of materials and balancing of our Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery system (MVHR) at a highly sophisticated new build home in Surrey. As part of our turnkey MVHR design, supply and commissioning service we’ve issued the MVHR Ventilation Airflow Measurement and … Read more

Are free MVHR designs any good?

Lately we’ve been seeing a few MVHR manufacturers offering “free” MVHR ductwork designs with their product sales. If you’re planning an MVHR system in 2022 for your build project you will have likely been offered or found a free MVHR design service yourself. At Heat, Space and Light we charge for our MVHR detailed ductwork … Read more

Cheap MVHR or expensive MVHR? The science behind Heat Exchanger Efficiency

Building dust is visible inside the heat exchanger as the filter doesn't fit properly - this will damage the heat exchanger

A Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery (MVHR) unit is a cornerstone of a low energy home with healthy indoor air. There are a lot of MVHRs on the market, and one way to compare between another is to look at its Heat Exchanger Efficiency score. Today I’ll explain what to watch for when comparing a cheap … Read more

MVHR compatibility with underfloor heating, air conditioning, heat pumps and cooker hoods

This article will explain MVHR’s compatibility with other mechanical services within the home such as underfloor heating, air conditioning, heat pumps and cooker hoods. An MVHR system is a future-facing home technology that will help achieve the UK’s low carbon climate change goals, so it’s important that it works well. MVHR and underfloor heating An … Read more

MVHR retrofit design and installation in a 100-year old cottage

Loft-fitted Zehnder Q350 MVHR with pre-heater by Heatspaceandlight.com

We have completed the design and first fix installation of a Zehnder Q350 MVHR system with ComfoTube ducting into a 100-year-old cottage that’s undergoing a low energy retrofit upgrade. The MVHR system will improve the indoor air quality, comfort and energy efficiency, but also protect the century-old building fabric by ensuring indoor humidity is dealt … Read more

Cotswold new build is 55x more airtight than Building Regs and 3x more airtight than Passivhaus

It is subtle and understated in its impact on UK housing, but this new build bungalow home is one of the most energy efficient buildings in the world – and represents the future of housebuilding in the UK and Europe. We pressure tested the home this December using a calibrated airtightness testing fan and it … Read more

What’s the difference between an MVHR Heat Exchanger and an Enthalpy that recovers moisture?

Internal mechanism of an MVHR unit

If you’re researching installing a Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) system for your project, you may have heard of an Enthalpy heat exchanger or ERV (Energy Recovery Ventilation). But what is an “Enthalpy” heat exchanger? How does it change humidity in the home? And is it expensive to install? The basics of enthalpy heat … Read more