How to Cool Your Home With a MVHR System?

by Dec 20, 2024

how-to-cool-your-home-with-a-mvhr-system

Overheating at home can make life uncomfortable, especially during warmer days. In Ireland’s climate, finding the right way to keep your space cool while still having good ventilation is important.

That’s where MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery) systems come in. They’re designed to keep the air fresh and manage indoor temperatures effectively.

In this blog, we’ll look at how to cool your home with a MVHR systems, how they work, and what options like Comfort Coolers and purge ventilation can do to make things better.

Whether you’re upgrading or starting from scratch, this is your guide to making your home more comfortable and liveable.

How to Cool Your Home With a MVHR System?

To maximise the effectiveness of your ventilation system, follow these tips:

  • Close curtains or blinds, especially on south-facing windows, to minimise solar heat entering your home.
  • Operate your MVHR system as usual, increasing the speed if needed, until the indoor temperature exceeds the outdoor temperature. At that point, open windows and doors to allow natural airflow.

What Are the 3 Types of Cooling Options?

There are three ways to cool your home. Let’s explore the ways.  

A/C or MVHR Comfort Cooler in Ireland

In Ireland, if your home overheats during typical weather conditions (excluding brief summer heatwaves), it’s advisable to first consider solutions like window shading and glass treatments.

If these measures are insufficient, installing an air conditioning (A/C) system may become necessary. It’s important to note that an MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery) Comfort Cooler alone may not effectively address significant overheating issues.

For homes that experience occasional overheating on warm, sunny days, adding a Comfort Cooler to your MVHR system could be a suitable solution. Unlike A/C systems, which provide targeted room cooling or heating without ventilation, an MVHR system ensures proper ventilation throughout the home.

This combination makes MVHR with Comfort Cooling an attractive option. If you’re planning to install both systems simultaneously, it’s essential to select an MVHR unit compatible with rooms that have A/C.

Purge Ventilation in Ireland

Purge ventilation involves the rapid removal of indoor air to expel heat and pollutants, typically achieved through large, adjustable openings like windows or doors positioned at least 1.75 meters above floor level.

This method allows for the movement of a substantial volume of air in a short period, aiding in maintaining indoor air quality and preventing overheating.

While purge ventilation can assist in cooling, careful design is necessary to minimise potential disturbances from air and noise.

Additionally, it’s important to ensure that such ventilation strategies comply with the relevant building regulations to maintain both comfort and safety within the dwelling.

MVHR Summer By-Pass

Most MVHR units supplied by Ventsolve include a Summer By-Pass feature. During normal weather, the system provides fresh, filtered air and recovers heat from outgoing air.

On hot days, the bypass mode activates (usually automatically), allowing air to bypass the heat exchanger. This provides filtered air at a temperature similar to the outside air.

For example, if the indoor temperature is 24°C and outdoor air is 20°C, the system will supply air at around 20°C. However, this feature doesn’t provide significant cooling—it only reduces the indoor temperature to match the outside air.

What is an MVHR Comfort Cooler?

An MVHR Comfort Cooler cools the incoming air before it enters your home, lowering its temperature below the external air. However, integrating this system requires more than just adding a Comfort Cooler to your MVHR unit.

Key Considerations for MVHR Comfort Cooling

  • Air has a limited ability to carry heat or cool. To cool a room effectively, you need a higher airflow rate, typically 1 air change per hour (ACH), compared to the standard 0.5 ACH in MVHR systems.
  • Using a Comfort Cooler requires a larger MVHR unit, insulated ductwork, and higher airflow rates to prevent the air from warming before reaching the room.

Simply adding a cooling coil to a standard MVHR system with uninsulated ducts won’t work efficiently.

Types of MVHR Cooling Systems

1. Evaporative Cooling Coil

This system uses tap water to cool air as it passes through the coil. However, its cooling performance is minimal in MVHR systems.

2. Water Cooling Coil

A water-cooling coil uses chilled water (from a heat pump) to cool air. It can be installed after the MVHR unit or to serve specific areas like upstairs and downstairs zones.

3. DX Coil (Direct Expansion Coil)

This coil uses refrigerant gas for cooling and offers higher performance but requires an external A/C unit and connecting pipework. This option is generally used in commercial settings due to its complexity and cost.

    For Irish homes, selecting the right cooling system depends on your specific needs, the layout of your property, and building regulations. Combining MVHR with suitable cooling solutions can provide an energy-efficient and comfortable living environment.

    Conclusion 

    Achieving a comfortable home in Ireland means combining ventilation and cooling effectively. MVHR systems ensure fresh, filtered air while offering energy efficiency, and when paired with options like Comfort Coolers or A/C systems, they help tackle overheating. Thoughtful solutions, such as shading and purge ventilation, can make all the difference in maintaining a pleasant indoor environment.

    For reliable assistance with cooling your home using an MVHR system, Ventsolve is here to help. Our experienced team can guide you through the best options for your needs. Get in touch with Ventsolve today for expert advise and professional support!

    FAQ’s 

    1. Can I turn off my MVHR unit in the summer?

    It’s not recommended to turn off your MVHR system during warmer months, as you’ll lose the benefits of fresh, filtered air. Instead, follow cooling strategies to maintain comfort.

    2. Will opening windows affect the efficiency of my MVHR system?

    Opening windows in the summer won’t impact the ventilation system, but the air won’t be filtered. This may not be ideal for those with asthma or allergies.

    3. Can I add a cooling element to my MVHR system?

    A cooling element can only be added if it was planned during the build stage, as retrofitting it isn’t efficient or practical.

    4. Can an MVHR system cool my home during the summer?

    An MVHR system primarily provides ventilation and heat recovery; it doesn’t actively cool indoor air below the outside temperature. However, integrating a Comfort Cooler can improve its ability to reduce indoor temperatures.

    5. Can I use my existing MVHR system to cool my home without additional devices?

    Standard MVHR systems are designed for ventilation and heat recovery, not active cooling. Without additional components like a Comfort Cooler, an MVHR system cannot reduce indoor temperatures below the outdoor level.

    6. Are there other cooling options compatible with MVHR systems?

    Yes, options like MVHR geothermal systems and water cooling coils can be integrated with MVHR systems to provide additional cooling. These solutions offer varying levels of cooling performance and installation complexity.

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    Meet Lenard Nagy

    Meet Lenard Nagy

    Author @ VentSolve

    Lenard Nagy, owner of Vent Solve, has years of experience in home ventilation and advanced mould removal. Known for his professionalism and attention to detail, Vent Solve has earned a strong reputation in providing ventilation & mould removal solutions across Ireland.