Two new social housing developments in Mid Wales are set to benefit from energy-efficient, Passivhaus-compliant MVHR systems supplied by leading ventilation specialist EnviroVent.
Croft Court is a new complex consisting of 17 energy-efficient apartments, while William Ainge Court is an existing residential block which is being extended to offer a further 16 dwellings. Both of the affordable developments are situated in Welshpool, a market town close to Newtown, Powys, in Mid Wales.
Two of EnviroVent’s innovative Passivhaus certified ventilation solutions were specified for these developments by the main contractor Mid-Wales Properties, working on behalf of Barcud, an organisation recently formed following the merger of Tai Ceredigion and Mid Wales Housing association (MWHA).
SL300 slimline units were specified for the Croft Court development, while energiSava 300 units were installed at William Ainge Court. The units were chosen because they achieved Passivhaus certification, as well as offering exceptionally low energy consumption, reduced noise levels and a range of innovative features.
The SL300 features ‘constant flow’ technology and wireless, remote-control options, as well as having a low profile and compact design. With a height of just 310mm, the SL300 is ideally suited to installations where space is at a premium.
The energiSava 300 comes with summer bypass and preheater as standard. The bypass contributes to an improved comfort level in the warmer months and is controlled automatically by measuring indoor and outdoor temperatures. Its intelligent frost protection system with preheater guarantees high efficiency, even at extremely low temperatures.
The units ensure that there is a supply of fresh, clean air, providing a healthier living environment for occupants of the new developments and preventing issues with condensation and mould growth.
Mark Isles, New Build Manager for EnviroVent, explained: “Renowned for their energy efficiency and low maintenance, our PassivHaus-certified MVHR solutions are trusted by local authorities and housing associations alike. We pride ourselves on giving a high level of tailored, customer service to contractors and developers, and feedback on the two developments in Welshpool has been very positive. The customer is hoping to install these same units on other new projects in the future.”
EnviroVent’s engineers liaised with the project architects on the optimum placement for the units, which can be either ceiling or wall mounted. Each unit has a five-year warranty, which is supported by EnviroVent’s team of in-house engineers.
EnviroVent also provided on-site training for Barcud’s nominated installation teams, along with technical support via its dedicated helpline, which is staffed by qualified engineers. This ensured that the installation ran as smoothly as possible.
As MVHR was a new technology for the residents of Croft Court and William Ainge Court, an EnviroVent ventilation specialist attended a tenant open day to give them the opportunity to answer questions on use of the units.
Steve Bowen at Mid-Wales Properties commented: “We specified EnviroVent’s systems for these two new developments, due to the high performance and low maintenance of the units, as well as the technical expertise and support that the company provides. These apartments were designed to be highly energy efficient and airtight, so choosing the right ventilation system was essential to ensure good indoor air quality and low energy usage.”
The Passivhaus concept is the only internationally recognised, performance-based energy standard in construction.
EnviroVent has four mechanical ventilation heat recovery (MVHR) units within its range which have been approved by the Passive House Institute (PHI), for use in Passivhaus developments. These include the energiSava 300 and 400 and Slimline 150 and 300 units which were awarded PHI Component Certificate, after each one passed rigorous quality and energy performance tests set by the Passive House Institute.
Croft Court is a new development on the brownfield site of the former Welshpool Social Club. The construction followed Passivhaus principles, and energy performance monitoring indicates the apartments’ running costs are well below the average for MWHA Housing stock.
The new William Ainge Court development consists of a three-storey extension to the existing complex.
Header image shows an installation of the energiSava300.
