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Vent-Axia

Vent-Axia Welcomes Growth in MVHR market

Published: 28/03/2012

Vent-Axia welcomes a recent report which forecasts that Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) is set to dominate new sustainable homes post-2016. According to the Zero Carbon Hub VIAQ (Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality) Task Group Interim report, with over 18,000 MVHR units sold in 2010-11, the technology already has a significant foothold in new UK housing. The Task Group considers MVHR use will continue to grow and become the dominant form of ventilation, standard in most new homes post-2016. This is because MVHR is beneficial in terms of the SAP assessment and ventilation heat loss is minimised.

However, the report adds that to realise the benefits of MVHR, in terms of both energy/CO2 emissions and indoor air quality, systems must be properly specified in airtight homes and close attention needs to be paid to system design, installation, commissioning and operation.

“At Vent-Axia we welcome the VIAQ report and are delighted that the Zero Carbon Hub has acknowledged the growing importance of MVHR in homes while also recognising that to fully benefit from the technology the developing market needs to be built on quality. As we move towards zero carbon homes, dwellings are becoming increasingly air tight and require adequate indoor air quality, MVHR provides this while also having the additional benefit of heat recovery.

“With MVHR market set to grow significantly and become the dominant ventilation technology it is important that a pool of competent installers exist. BEAMA has therefore been working hard to establish a Competent Person Scheme to prove competency, which is acknowledged in the VIAQ report. Meanwhile manufacturers have been establishing a training package through BPEC to help train contractors to deliver this competency.

At Vent-Axia we are committed to investing in the industry by providing training to help avoid a future skills shortage. The BPEC course and Competent Person Scheme will ensure MVHR systems are better designed, installed and commissioned than ever before. The latest SAP benefits will increasingly drive developers to specify competent installers to fit MVHR systems, thus ensuring efficient, effective ventilation as we move towards 2016.”

Since May last year Vent-Axia has trained over 200 competent installers at its BPEC approved training centre. Vent-Axia is now prepared for an increase in demand for its BPEC training course following changes to SAP calculations that are set to boost the adoption of continuous centralised ventilation systems.

Launched in January 2012 the SAP amendments reduce the conservative performance ratings given to this ventilation technology when installed by a competent person. Currently conservative ratings are applied in SAP calculations to the performance figures of centralised MEV and MVHR because specific fan power (SPF) can increase if a system is not installed correctly, affecting efficiency.

However, a developer can now choose to have ventilation installed by a competent person and so reduce these penalties unlocking a SAP Benefit that will improve a building’s DER. Under the scheme, a trained contractor, who must be a member of a Competent Person Scheme, will ensure an installation complies with the performance laid out in the original system design and complete a commissioning sheet capturing installation details. This information is submitted to building control and the SAP assessor and will reduce MVHR penalties from 40 to 30% and MEV from 30 to 25%, enabling developers to achieve a better value for their spend in SAP.

Vent-Axia’s BPEC course is designed to meet the requirements in the Domestic Ventilation Compliance Guide 2010 for the installation, inspection, testing, commissioning and provision of information for Fixed Domestic Systems for both new and existing residential buildings. The course runs over two days and gives candidates both a theoretical and practical training including the commissioning of a working MVHR system. For further information visit: www.vent-axia.com/training-courses

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Vent-Axia Ltd

Vent-Axia are leading manufacturers and suppliers of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, both in the UK and around the world. For over 75 years, we have led the industry in air ventilation products, systems and services. Whatever your requirement, budget or setting, Vent-Axia can provide the solution you need. From extraction fans for the home to large commercial ventilation solutions, our wide HVAC range features a product for every air handling purpose.

Vent-Axia's popular Lo Carbon range combines all the style and durability you expect from a Vent-Axia product with even greater energy efficiency, helping you to make your property as eco friendly as possible. Together with the Lo Carbon range, demand energy recovery ventilation and heat recovery (HRV) and mechanical extract systems are also available to aid new sustainable building projects to adhere to the Code for Sustainable Homes.

In combination with our exceptional ventilation product range we also offer a comprehensive range of heating products ideal to heat your home, our range of electric heating includes, storage heaters and combination storage heaters,  panel heaters, towel rails, portable heating, fan heaters, convector heaters and radiant heating.  Our latest product introduction brings electric underfloor heating to the portfolio, this range consists of electric underfloor heating mats, underfloor heating thermostats, underfloor heating kits and underfloor heating insulation boards to offer a comprehensive solution.

In addition to our ever-growing domestic and commercial ventilation ranges, Vent-Axia also supply air curtains, hand dryer products and fume handling/smoke fans. We can also support your air conditioning requirements.

Vent-Axia products are available from distributors around the UK and Eire and also around the world via our network of international distributors. Many of our ranges can also be ordered via our online store. Browse our full range of heating, ventilation and air conditioning products by clicking here. You can also contact us for any further enquiries.