FAQ

You may be surprised to learn that your home can be a health hazard! Moisture is only one of the pollutants in your home, modern building products and techniques have caused an increase in VOC gases, which all have an impact on your health. Bronchial aliments are one of the many health risks that can occur as a result of poor ventilation. Your property will also benefit from good ventilation as up to 16% of household repairs can be attributed to damp. Modern well sealed homes need ventilation otherwise sick building syndrome is a certainty.

If you choose to simply meet the minimum standards required under building control regulations and use trickle vents with intermittent fans you are making the decision to waste energy. Latest statistics from BRE (British Research Establishment) demonstrate that a mechanical ventilation system is much more energy efficient in a well sealed house. A Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) system doesn't waste ANY energy it SAVES energy and indeed will pay for itself.

You want to choose a system which is energy efficient and ensures a good flow of air to all rooms. Never leave ventilation to chance! Ventilation should always be by design and not dependent on weather conditions or variables such as house layout, open or closed doors etc. Air is like water it will always take the easiest route therefore the design of air inlets and extract points should be carefully considered to ensure that airflow is maximised. Moisture laden air should NEVER be driven into the fabric of the building. Latest research is very clear that each room must have either an air inlet such as a window vent or in the case of HRV systems an air valve.When considering an HRV system check the system efficiency i.e. Brook Airchanger P17 has an 86% efficiency (independently tested). Most mechanical systems will quote an airflow rate i.e m³ per hour, always ensure that this is a typical installed performance figure and not a figure for the fan without any ducting attached.

On average 86% is recycled but this can be higher. The amount of heat recovered is dependent on weather conditions and life style. HRV systems can raise the incoming air temperature by over 10°.

HRV Systems do pay for themselves. However, the time span for pay back is dependent on life style. In houses that are well sealed and have a consistent temperature pay back can be achieved within 5 years. 5-10 Years would not be abnormal.

No, simply check the filters every six months, replacement is normally annually. Filters are only £6 a pair. The filters are easily replaced and requires no DIY skills what so ever. Brook Airchanger motors are sealed units and do not require any maintenance. You may wish to clean the valves in the ceiling from time to time these are easily popped out and wiped with a clean cloth.

No, the design of the HRV unit ensures that the outgoing air and the incoming air are separated so that no cross-contamination takes place.

No, fresh air is introduced to the dry rooms and stale air expelled from the wet rooms.

Dust mites (a major cause of asthma) thrive in moist warm conditions, HRV systems reduce the relative humidity to levels at which the dust mite struggles to survive.

Pollen Filters are fitted as standard on the P17 and P9 ranges.

No, the system is designed to run quietly in the background. When the system is on boost mode there may be some air noise from the air valves.