A heat pump and heat recovery ventilation solve two different things. A heat pump heats the house and water, while heat recovery ventilation exchanges the air and recovers most of the heat from the exhaust air. In modern, well-sealed houses they therefore often complement each other.
Why a modern house needs ventilation
New builds and insulated houses are airtight. Without ventilation, humidity and the concentration of carbon dioxide rise. Ventilating through windows in winter also lets out the heat produced by the heat pump.
What heat recovery ventilation brings
- a constant supply of fresh filtered air,
- lower heat loss through ventilation,
- a lower heat demand – the heat pump can have a lower output,
- regulated air humidity.
Effect on the heat pump design
If the house has or will have heat recovery ventilation, this is taken into account in the heat loss calculation and therefore in the heat pump output – What heat pump output do I need?.
Central or decentralised
- Central heat recovery – one unit and air ducts to the rooms; planned during construction or a major renovation.
- Decentralised – smaller units in individual rooms; also suitable for retrofit installation.
Heat recovery is not cooling
Heat recovery ventilation does not significantly cool in summer. For cooling you need a heat pump with a cooling function or air conditioning – Cooling with a heat pump: floor, fan coils or air conditioning.
Related
A heat pump for a new build: how to design it correctly · Underfloor heating and a heat pump: why they complement each other
We specialise in Daikin heat pumps and air conditioners. During the design we will also take the ventilation of your house into account. Contact us.
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