Does mechanical ventilation cause heat loss?

Ventilating your home is essential for a healthy indoor climate. As temperatures drop, mechanical ventilation becomes even more important as windows and doors tend to remain closed. But what does this mean for heat loss in the home? Read on to find out.

Lotte van der Weyde

January 24, 2023

Reading time: 3 min

Ventilation options

Supplying fresh air and removing polluted air: this is what a mechanical ventilation system does. Fresh air can be supplied in a number of ways. In most ventilation systems, fresh, clean air is supplied naturally. Cold outside air is drawn in through holes, gaps or special ventilation grilles. This creates a draught.

With an MVHR system, fresh, clean air is introduced mechanically and blown into the house heated. This type of ventilation has the lowest heat loss of all mechanical ventilation systems.

Minimising heat loss

As the ventilation system removes warm air from the home and brings in fresh, clean, cool air, heat is lost. There are several solutions to minimise heat loss, such as:

1. A heat recovery system (MVHR):
An MVHR recovers heat from the exhaust air and uses it to heat the supply air. This can reduce heat loss and save energy.

2. Efficient insulation:
Good home insulation reduces heat loss. Using high quality insulation materials can increase energy efficiency and minimise heat loss.

3. Airtight construction:
Building an airtight home prevents unwanted air from entering through cracks and seams. This can reduce heat loss and increase energy efficiency. In this case, ventilation is even more important to maintain a healthy indoor environment.

4. Regular maintenance:
Regular maintenance of the ventilation system can help reduce heat loss. Keeping the ducts clean can optimise airflow and make the system work more efficiently.

5. Use demand controlled ventilation:
Demand-controlled ventilation adjusts the airflow according to the demand for ventilation. For example, if there are more people in a room, the system will supply more air. This can reduce heat loss while still providing enough ventilation to maintain a healthy indoor climate.

6. Adequate ventilation:
If there is not enough ventilation, the air in the house becomes humid. This means that the air in the house heats less well. So do you ventilate your home regularly? This will actually save you unnecessary heating costs.

Would you like to know more?

Do you still have questions after reading this blog? We are here to help you with any ventilation-related issue. Please contact our customer service team.