Polypipe heat recovery systems assist in eco-design home

Polypipe Ventilation’s Silavent Green Line HRX Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems are being installed into a unique property in Oswestry, Shropshire; designed and built on Passivhaus principles.

A private home set in the countryside, this innovative new property has been designed by the owner for maximum energy efficiency, incorporating under floor heating, extensive insulation, solar PV, rainwater harvesting, energy efficient windows and two Polypipe HRX MVHR units.

The Silavent Green Line HRX MVHR units from Polypipe are integral to the owner’s energy-efficient principles; the house is based on superior thermal performance and exceptional air tightness to minimise heating requirements, incorporating waste heat recovery and recirculation.

The HRX units were recommended by long time Polypipe customer Solar Eco Solutions, based in Mold, Flintshire.  Solar Eco Solutions are responsible for the eco-design of the new property and have worked closely with the owner to ensure the most suitable and energy efficient technologies are used throughout.

Silavent Green Line HRX MVHR appliances recover heat from waste stale air – found in the kitchen or bathroom – using a highly efficient counter-flow heat exchanger to warm the incoming fresh air; thus reducing the need for extra heating and helping to reduce fuel bills.  They also prevent the build up of condensation and mould and improve indoor air quality in today’s air tight homes by providing a constant supply of fresh and filtered air.  Manufactured in the UK, the systems are 2010 Building Regulations compliant and SAP Appendix Q listed.

In the Oswestry property, an HRX unit has been fitted in the basement which contains a one bedroom apartment and high spec cinema room, whilst a larger HRX2 unit has been fitted within the utility room of the main ground floor house.  With a heat exchange efficiency of up to 95%, the HRX2 has the highest available heat exchange performance on the SAP Appendix Q register.  

To ensure efficient distribution of air throughout the property, Domus rigid ducting, supported by Domus Thermal duct insulation, has also been installed.  Domus Thermal is a uniquely engineered, patent pending duct insulation system designed to comply with 2010 Building Regulations.  Manufactured from silver EPS (expanded polystyrene), incorporating carbon particles to further improve performance, Domus Thermal has extremely high insulation properties yet remains a cost-effective and simple solution to prevent the formation of condensation.

For builder and installer Solar Eco Solutions, this has been an exciting yet demanding project.  The company has extensive experience in ‘green’ technology, but to incorporate such an extensive range of energy saving systems in to a single property is unique in their experience.  Ease of installation and manufacturer reputation was therefore a key consideration when selecting the properties ventilation requirements and having now installed Polypipe’s Silavent MVHR and Domus duct systems, the company has been extremely impressed with the simple installation procedures and the support provided by Polypipe.

The HRX range is designed with a number of innovative features to make installing and commissioning the units much easier and quicker than alternative models on the market. Such features include the wiring centre which is mounted externally, so the electrical connections and controls can be accessed for installation and commissioning without the unit being dismantled. This also prevents the internal electrics from being exposed to any moisture within the unit. In addition, all units in the range are ‘ambidextrous’ so that the appliances can be fitted to the left or right hand side of the property regardless of the location of the external walls, avoiding the need for complex ‘cross over’ duct runs.

The Oswestry property is in the final build phase, but already assessments have shown it to be such an energy efficient building that it is estimated that total annual energy bills will amount to just £500.

Polypipe Ventilation is at the forefront in delivering energy-efficient ventilation solutions and plays a vital role in helping customers to achieve the higher levels of the Code for Sustainable Homes.