Zehnder Case Study | ComfoAirQ 450, Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR)

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Residential timber-framed new build property in Surrey: low energy solution for optimum indoor air quality Case Study

New build property in Surrey: low energy solution for optimum indoor air quality

The Solution

Making homes more energy efficient and thermally comfortable is now a key consideration in the development of new properties. Airtightness in the built environment is an important step in improving energy efficiency and in the prevention of heat loss, but without adequate ventilation, overheating is a real threat to occupants - it has become one of the most pressing modern housing issues of our time.

Reusing as much as 96% of the heat that would otherwise have been lost, a Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) system ensures adequate ventilation and optimum heat in a sufficiently airtight home, while also adhering to energy efficiency requirements. A summer bypass function helps to deliver comfort during warmer weather.

For a domestic new-build project in Surrey, energy efficiency was key in the specification process, thus requiring adequate ventilation. This case study explains how Zehnder’s ComfoAir Q MVHR system supports the property to achieve energy efficiency and a comfortable indoor climate.

The Objectives: To create an energy efficient home and reduce indoor air quality issues for one of its occupants who suffers with pollen allergies.

The Project: The project began with an efficient building fabric provided by a Kingspan TEK plus timber frame construction.

Consultants MESH Energy suggested renewable systems for the project and put it out to tender.

The Specifier: Award-winning building consultancy Enhabit was chosen to deliver the services and make final decisions on the systems required, which included the design, supply and install of an MVHR system, Solar photovoltaic (PV), air source heat pump (ASHP) and underfloor heating systems.

Enhabit helps homeowners, architects and businesses produce energy-efficient buildings and has worked extensively with Zehnder’s products for the past 5 years.

1. The Product: ComfoAir Q450 With energy efficiency a key driver in the project, the MVHR system was required to help retain heat within the building.

The Zehnder ComfoAir Q MVHR system with 100% Filtered Modulating Summer Bypass met all aspects of the specification, and was thus selected by Enhabit, along with Zehnder’s ComfoSense control panel and rigid steel spiral wound ducting.

Optimum acoustic performance, world class heat recovery efficiency and particularly low energy consumption were the key factors informing product selection.

2. ComfoSense Zehnder ComfoAir Q units can be simply and effectively controlled to ensure optimal performance around the clock with fully integrated LCD displays featuring programmable timers and system status messages.

“The Zehnder ComfoAir Q450 is working really well for us. It is easy to run and control – with a control panel in our kitchen or on our iPad. The air quality in the house has been excellent and we’re noticing less pollen-related allergic reactions. The system is also very quiet in operation – we don’t hear anything.”

The homeowner

Key Advantages  Comfort ventilation unit with air volume of up to 450 m3/h at 200 Pa  New diamond heat exchanger with larger surface area for higher heat recovery and less air resistance ensuring lower energy consumption  State-of-the-art fan technology for quiet and energy-efficient operation  Innovative air flow balancing for maximum heat  Heat recovery efficiency – up to 96%  Adaptive pre-heater for intelligent temperature control of the drawn-in outdoor air for the best possible energy efficiency  Automatic, 100% Filtered Summer Bypass  Automatic operation through in-built sensors and 7 day programmer with option for full KNX integration or remote access via app control  Optimal design and location of the Zehnder original filters (in accordance with ISO 16890 air filter standard) creates a healthier supply air with significant reduction of harmful PM2.5 particulates along with dust and pollen

New build property in Surrey: low energy solution for optimum indoor air quality

The Solution

Making homes more energy efficient and thermally comfortable is now a key consideration in the development of new properties. Airtightness in the built environment is an important step in improving energy efficiency and in the prevention of heat loss, but without adequate ventilation, overheating is a real threat to occupants - it has become one of the most pressing modern housing issues of our time.

Reusing as much as 96% of the heat that would otherwise have been lost, a Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) system ensures adequate ventilation and optimum heat in a sufficiently airtight home, while also adhering to energy efficiency requirements. A summer bypass function helps to deliver comfort during warmer weather.

For a domestic new-build project in Surrey, energy efficiency was key in the specification process, thus requiring adequate ventilation. This case study explains how Zehnder’s ComfoAir Q MVHR system supports the property to achieve energy efficiency and a comfortable indoor climate.

The Objectives: To create an energy efficient home and reduce indoor air quality issues for one of its occupants who suffers with pollen allergies.

The Project: The project began with an efficient building fabric provided by a Kingspan TEK plus timber frame construction.

Consultants MESH Energy suggested renewable systems for the project and put it out to tender.

The Specifier: Award-winning building consultancy Enhabit was chosen to deliver the services and make final decisions on the systems required, which included the design, supply and install of an MVHR system, Solar photovoltaic (PV), air source heat pump (ASHP) and underfloor heating systems.

Enhabit helps homeowners, architects and businesses produce energy-efficient buildings and has worked extensively with Zehnder’s products for the past 5 years.

1. The Product: ComfoAir Q450 With energy efficiency a key driver in the project, the MVHR system was required to help retain heat within the building.

The Zehnder ComfoAir Q MVHR system with 100% Filtered Modulating Summer Bypass met all aspects of the specification, and was thus selected by Enhabit, along with Zehnder’s ComfoSense control panel and rigid steel spiral wound ducting.

Optimum acoustic performance, world class heat recovery efficiency and particularly low energy consumption were the key factors informing product selection.

2. ComfoSense Zehnder ComfoAir Q units can be simply and effectively controlled to ensure optimal performance around the clock with fully integrated LCD displays featuring programmable timers and system status messages.

“The Zehnder ComfoAir Q450 is working really well for us. It is easy to run and control – with a control panel in our kitchen or on our iPad. The air quality in the house has been excellent and we’re noticing less pollen-related allergic reactions. The system is also very quiet in operation – we don’t hear anything.”

The homeowner

Key Advantages  Comfort ventilation unit with air volume of up to 450 m3/h at 200 Pa  New diamond heat exchanger with larger surface area for higher heat recovery and less air resistance ensuring lower energy consumption  State-of-the-art fan technology for quiet and energy-efficient operation  Innovative air flow balancing for maximum heat  Heat recovery efficiency – up to 96%  Adaptive pre-heater for intelligent temperature control of the drawn-in outdoor air for the best possible energy efficiency  Automatic, 100% Filtered Summer Bypass  Automatic operation through in-built sensors and 7 day programmer with option for full KNX integration or remote access via app control  Optimal design and location of the Zehnder original filters (in accordance with ISO 16890 air filter standard) creates a healthier supply air with significant reduction of harmful PM2.5 particulates along with dust and pollen

Zehnder • Concept House • Watchmoor Point • Camberley • GU15 3AD T +44 (0) 1276 605800 • info@zehnder.co.uk • www.zehnder.co.uk Zehnder is a division of Zehnder Group UK Ltd • Registered in England 2296696