The best
way to minimise the energy we use in our central heating systems, and
reduce the cost of our fuel bills, is to use the heat more efficiently.
Insulation is the best form of cost saving and carbon reduction, because
in a well insulated property, the amount of energy needed to heat the
space, is less than in a poorly insulated one. One of the problems with
modern and newly built properties is that they are extremely well
insulated, and if there is not sufficient ventilation, there can be
problems with damp.
Heat recovery ventilation can solve this problem, as
for a healthy living or working space the air needs to be refreshed on a
regular basis, sometimes it may need the air to be completely changed as
often as every hour. Now, if you have spent a lot of money heating that
air up to a nice warm temperature, you don’t want to throw that heat away.
A heat recovery ventilation unit uses the heat in the warm stale air, to
heat the incoming, cold fresh air. The units are as much as 90% efficient,
and if used in conjunction with a well controlled central heating system,
can significantly reduce energy usage and improve overall efficiency.
These units are particularly good in new build properties, which have to
be very draught proof, yet have adequate ventilation and still achieve
certain levels of energy efficiency. Usually the unit is located in the
roof space or basement, stale air is extracted from kitchens, bathrooms,
toilets and utility rooms via built in ducting, and fresh air is
introduced to the main living rooms.
There are also units which can
extract waste heat from hot areas, such as computer rooms or utility rooms
and use the heat to heat the domestic hot water, these are particularly
useful in office spaces where hot water is required for the toilets, etc.
