Discover how modern ventilation systems with heat recovery work and what their advantages are in residential and commercial buildings.
Indoor air quality is essential for our comfort, health, and energy efficiency. Modern heat recovery ventilation (HRV) systems are designed to provide a continuous supply of fresh air while minimizing energy loss. These systems are particularly effective in well-insulated homes and commercial buildings, where natural airflow is limited. In this article, we explore how Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery systems work, their key benefits, and why they’re becoming a vital part of sustainable living and modern construction.
How Does Mechanical Ventilation Refresh Indoor Air Without Energy Loss?
Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) systems work by extracting stale indoor air while simultaneously bringing in fresh outdoor air. The key to their energy efficiency lies in the heat exchanger: it transfers the thermal energy from the outgoing air to the incoming air without mixing the two. This process maintains indoor comfort while significantly reducing the need for additional heating or cooling—making it an ideal solution for energy-conscious homes and buildings.
Example: In a 95 m² home equipped with the VENTO Expert mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery by Blauberg, the outdoor temperature reaches 36°C. Inside, the temperature remains a comfortable 25°C thanks to air conditioning—used more efficiently thanks to the ventilation system.
Here’s how it works: The hot 36°C air from outside passes through a heat exchanger before entering the home. This exchanger captures up to 95% of the coolness from the outgoing indoor air (25°C) and transfers it to the incoming air.
As a result, the fresh air entering the space is cooled to approximately 26°C—much closer to the desired indoor temperature and significantly cooler than the outside air.
The home remains continuously and efficiently ventilated, while minimizing the need for additional cooling. This not only enhances comfort but also reduces energy consumption.
Key Benefits of Heat Recovery Ventilation Systems
Installing a modern mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery offers significant advantages for both residential and commercial spaces:
- Fresh, filtered air is continuously supplied without needing to open windows.
- Excess moisture, CO₂, and harmful VOCs are removed, ensuring a healthier indoor environment.
- Energy savings of up to 90% compared to natural ventilation, by reducing heat loss.
- Prevention of mold and condensation, especially in vulnerable areas like windows, ceilings, and thermal bridges.
- Whisper-quiet operation, ideal for bedrooms, offices, and living spaces.
- Improved quality of life, especially for those with allergies, asthma, or respiratory sensitivities.
Where Are Heat Recovery Ventilation Systems Used?
Heat recovery ventilation (HRV) systems are a smart solution for enhancing air quality and energy efficiency across a wide range of building types:
- Homes – ideal for both new constructions and energy retrofits of existing houses.
- Apartment buildings – for individual units or centralized systems across the whole complex.
- Commercial spaces – including offices, shops, studios, and service areas.
- Hotels & accommodations – ensuring consistent, quiet, and healthy indoor climates.
- Schools & healthcare facilities – where clean air is vital for health and concentration.
Mechanical Ventilation Solutions by ANDRIANOS
ANDRIANOS offers three reliable categories of heat recovery ventilation systems, designed to meet diverse needs and budgets:
🔹 Value for money solution: Mechanical Ventilation INHOME
The INHOME series by BLAUBERG offers a smart and cost-effective solution for ensuring fresh, clean air in residential settings and compact commercial areas. With high energy efficiency and ultra-quiet performance, it’s the ideal choice for renovations or spaces where a central ventilation system cannot be installed.
Key Features:
- Modern Aesthetic: Sleek and stylish indoor unit design, available in both white and black finishes to complement any interior.
- Exceptional Heat Recovery: Achieves up to 95% heat recovery, helping to maintain indoor comfort while saving energy.
- Whisper-Quiet Operation: Enhanced with additional sound insulation materials, ensuring near-silent performance even during continuous use.
- Advanced Air Filtration: Features a built-in ISO Coarse >50% (G3) filter for effective dust removal, with the option to upgrade to an ISO ePM1 60% (F7) filter for finer particulate filtration—ideal for those seeking cleaner indoor air quality.
- Flexible Control Options: Operate the unit via the included control panel or remote control. Optional Wi-Fi connectivity allows for convenient operation through the BLAUBERG mobile app.
- Low Energy Consumption: Designed for continuous operation without significantly impacting energy bills—perfect for energy-conscious users.
- Humidity Sensor & Smart Integration: Comes with a built-in humidity sensor and supports additional sensor connections for customized climate control.
- Smart Modes: Includes Night Mode for undisturbed sleep and Party Mode for enhanced ventilation when needed.
- Scalable System Design: Can be integrated into a unified ventilation setup with other INHOME units for larger or multi-room applications.
🔹 Premium Solution: VENTO EXPERT Mechanical Ventilation System
The VENTO EXPERT series represents the ultimate choice in heat recovery mechanical ventilation systems. Designed for those seeking high performance, comfort, and advanced automation features, it delivers exceptional air quality without the need for extensive modifications to the space. Perfect for bedrooms, workspaces, or any area that requires ultra-quiet operation and sophisticated aesthetics.
Advantages:
- Sophisticated Design: The indoor unit boasts a sleek design, available in white and black, seamlessly complementing any modern interior.
- High Heat Recovery Efficiency: Offers up to 95% heat recovery, optimizing energy use while maintaining comfort.
- Whisper-Quiet Operation – Just 4 dBA: The quietest operation level, ensuring a peaceful environment for sleeping or working.
- Advanced Air Filtration: Equipped with two built-in G3 filters and an optional F8 filter for superior air cleaning and improved indoor air quality.
- Smart Wi-Fi Control: Full control through the BLAUBERG app, with additional control options via the included control panel or remote.
- Low Energy Consumption: Designed for continuous operation with minimal impact on energy bills, ensuring efficient use of resources.
- Humidity Sensor & Customizable Integration: Includes an integrated humidity sensor and the option to connect additional sensors for enhanced environmental control.
- Night & Party Modes: Night Mode for undisturbed rest, and Party Mode for increased ventilation when needed.
- Scalable System Design: Can be integrated into a unified system with other units for larger or multi-room applications.
🔹 Central Mechanical Ventilation Solution for the whole building: RENEO
Centralized mechanical ventilation systems RENEO are intended for buildings where there is the possibility of installing a network of air ducts. In combination with Blaufast flexible ducts, they are the most complete solution for whole building ventilation with heat recovery, offering energy efficiency, comfort and clean air in every room. They are an ideal choice for entire homes, office buildings, tourist accommodation or commercial premises.
In contrast to non-central systems, which supply individual rooms, central systems:
- Ensure an equal air quality in all rooms.
- Allow centralized control and regulation of operation.
- They ensure a discreet aesthetic installation, seamlessly blending into the space with no visible units.
- They are most suitable for new construction or total renovations where ductwork infrastructure is provided.
Συμπεράσματα
Ο μηχανικός αερισμός με ανάκτηση θερμότητας δεν αποτελεί πλέον μια πολυτέλεια, αλλά μια ουσιαστική επένδυση στην ποιότητα ζωής και την ενεργειακή απόδοση κάθε κτιρίου. Είτε πρόκειται για κατοικίες, επαγγελματικούς χώρους, είτε για τουριστικά καταλύματα, τα κατάλληλα συστήματα αερισμού:
- εξασφαλίζουν σταθερά βελτιωμένη ποιότητα αέρα,
- αποτρέπουν την υγρασία, τη μούχλα και τις οσμές,
- και συμβάλλουν καθοριστικά στη μείωση της κατανάλωσης ενέργειας.
Ανάλογα με τις ανάγκες και τη μορφή του κτιρίου, μπορείτε να επιλέξετε:
- μια value for money λύση όπως το INHOME,
- μια premium, σχεδόν αθόρυβη επιλογή όπως το VENTO EXPERT,
- ή ένα κεντρικό σύστημα υψηλής απόδοσης όπως το RENEO με Blaufast, που προσφέρει πλήρη κάλυψη σε όλα τα δωμάτια.
Η ομάδα της ANDRIANOS είναι στη διάθεσή σας για να σας βοηθήσει να επιλέξετε τη λύση που ανταποκρίνεται καλύτερα στις ανάγκες του χώρου σας.
Conclusions
Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery is no longer a luxury, but an essential investment in the quality of life and energy efficiency of every building. Whether it is for residential, commercial or tourist accommodation, appropriate ventilation systems are an essential part of a building's energy efficiency:
- ensure consistently improved air quality,
- prevent humidity, mould and odours,
- and make a decisive contribution to reducing energy consumption.
Depending on the needs and form of the building, you can choose:
- a value for money solution such as INHOME,
- a premium, virtually silent option such as VENTO EXPERT,
- or a high-performance central system such as RENEO with Blaufast, offering full coverage in all rooms.
ANDRIANOS team is there to help you choose the solution that meets the needs of your space most effectively.
