The Secret to a Silent, Efficient MVHR System: The Perfect Blend of Design, Quality, and Installation

Imagine stepping into a room with your MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery) system humming softly in the background—almost imperceptible. It's so quiet you hardly notice it's there, yet it’s working hard to ensure the air is fresh and the environment is comfortable. As one of our clients recently said, "Everything's working well. It is so, so quiet. Amazing!"  This is the dream scenario, and achieving this level of performance isn’t just a stroke of luck; it’s the result of three key factors: good design, quality components, and correct installation.

Let’s break it down to understand why these elements are so crucial in delivering the kind of silent, efficient MVHR system that every home or business deserves.

1. Good Design: The Foundation of Performance

Good design is the bedrock of any successful MVHR system. It starts with understanding the building’s unique needs.  A well-designed system takes into account the structure of the building - where can the ducts be located - its layout, the number of rooms and the required airflow rate.

The objective of designing a system is to ensure that it isn’t just installed but is optimised for maximum efficiency and minimum noise. The correct (building Regulations) airflow rates must be calculated to match the size of each room and the whole house. Once this is done, a right sized (not under or over sized) MVHR unit can be selected to eliminate unnecessary noise and maximise energy efficiency. Good design will consider the practicalities of installation ensuring that the unit, ducts, internal valves and external terminals are placed to avoid have the minimum impact on the living space of the home.

In short, a well-planned design means that every component of the system works in harmony, creating an environment that’s as quiet as it is comfortable.

2. Quality Components: Quiet and Reliable Operation

While a great design can help guide the system’s efficiency, high-quality components are the real heroes of a silent operation. The MVHR system’s motor, fans, filters, and ductwork need to be of top-notch quality to ensure smooth, reliable performance.

• Motors and Fans: The motors and fans are responsible for moving air through the system. Higher quality fans are designed to run more smoothly and at lower decibel levels, ensuring that they don’t generate unwanted noise. A good motor ensures that the airflow remains consistent without any jerky movements or vibrations that could lead to sounds.

• Filters: Premium filters are essential for maintaining indoor air quality and protecting the MVHR unit keeping it free from airborne debris so it continues to operate at peak performance.

• Ductwork: Smooth, properly sized ducts are another key component. Poorly designed or improperly sized ducts can create turbulence, which leads to noise. High-quality ducts, designed with the right materials and dimensions, keep the air flow silent and smooth.

3. Correct Installation: Bringing It All Together

Even with the best design and components, if an MVHR system isn’t installed correctly, it can still result in noise, inefficiency, and frustration. Installation is where the magic of good design and quality components truly comes to life.

Proper installation means:

• Correct Sizing and Positioning: Ensuring that ducts are sized appropriately and positioned correctly is essential. If ducts are too small, air velocity increases, causing noise; if they are too large, airflow is inefficient. Additionally, proper placement of intake and exhaust vents ensures there is minimal disturbance to the internal space.

• Sealing and Insulation: Gaps or improperly sealed joints in ductwork can cause air to escape, leading to unwanted whistling or air turbulence. Good installation practices ensure all joints are tightly sealed and the ductwork is properly insulated to minimise noise and heat recovery efficiency.

• Vibration Dampening: Vibration can travel through walls and ceilings, amplifying the sound of the system. During installation, vibration-dampening materials can be used to reduce the transmission of noise from the motor or fan to the surrounding structures.

• Testing and Tuning: After installation, the system should be tested and tuned to ensure optimal airflow and efficiency and that the system delivers the performance which was set at the design stage. . This final step is essential to verify that the system runs quietly, at peak performance and complies with Building Regulations. This will ensure that the house can be 'signed off' by Building Control.

Achieving Silence and Efficiency: It’s Possible!

When you combine a well-thought-out design, high-quality components, and expert installation, the result is a highly efficient, quiet MVHR system that works seamlessly in the background. As our client expressed so perfectly, the silence is nothing short of amazing. Not only does the system work efficiently to recover heat and ventilate your space, but it also does so in the most discreet way possible, ensuring a comfortable and healthy indoor environment.

So, if you're considering an MVHR system, remember that it’s not just about choosing any system; it’s about choosing a system that’s designed with care, built with quality parts, and installed correctly to make it all work harmoniously. That’s the secret to an MVHR system that’s as quiet as it is effective.

Ready for Your Quiet, Efficient MVHR System?

Contact us here at Epicair on MVHR@epicair.co.uk or call us on 01892 600121 to learn how we can design and install the perfect MVHR system for your home or business. Experience the difference that great design, quality components, and expert installation can make!