Search the Community

Hi everybody. I've been searching for some input and advice on my MHRV system online, and noticed this very helpful site. My wife and I built our house about 5 years ago, and have a loft mounted Regavent Air Unit 600 DC R fitted, and it is this system that we're seeking some input and advice on. Having experience a few warm summers, and having finally read the manual in detail we have learnt more about what the standard 'Summer' mode actually does - namely switch the incoming air supply OFF to allow windows to be opened, rather than provide a bypass to the incoming air heat exchange. Fair enough. However, the ability to have cooler air (i.e. with no heat recovery active) distributed via the system is attractive, not least due to keeping noise, bugs and dust out in the evenings and nights. So, having also learnt that the bypass function was then, and is still now an option (which we would have likely chosen at the time had we been more aware), we're assessing whether this is a possibility to be fitted as an after market solution. The Regavent does not list this as being available as a retrofit - in fact the 'Shop' options do seem pretty limited, suggesting that the company wants to only sell components if they can be sold with a fitting option. Checking back on our old quotations, the bypass was listed as an option but was not costed - again suggesting that some components may have a variable price depending on the deal being struck. Appreciate if anyone on the forum has had any experience of having the bypass option added as an after market fit, either by having Regavent in, by purchasing the equipment themselves or even having a 3rd party system fitted. Many thanks.

Weekend spent in the loft getting things prepped for plumbing and building studwalls (for creating an atrium hallway downstairs) and I have been trying to plan routes for my MHVR ducting. Most of the ducting will serve a bungalow with ducting to go via loft, but will also have to route it into a 2 storey extension that has been built onto the other side of a gable wall, i.e: Most likely will end up going for the semi-rigid type stuff. My only real concern is that there are likely to be a few obstacles in the way that will have to be navigated around which means the ducting will have to go up by 500mm and then come down again by the same amount, a bit like so: Sorry about my drawing skills! This up and over is not really avoidable and obviously that's the whole point in this type of ducting to make installs easier and navigate walls, machinery and limited space. My main concern is with condensation getting stuck and collecting at any of the bends. I assume if it is sufficient lagged with insulation, I should not have any issues with condensation? I will try and create less of a gradient to improve the flow rate: drawings skills still not getting any better! There are many factors that will affect flow rates and the more bends that get introduced the worse things get, so in terms of positioning the ducting, should I just try and make each bend/gradient as smooth as possible? There's only really one tight area where I will have to either navigate around an RSJ by either going under (blue route) or punching holes through a cavity and SIP wall (red option - least favoured): Some of the quotes I have received include a preliminary routing plan but Of course they are not aware of actual obstacles in the loft - do they fine tune the plans later on once they've received my ££££ or is it a case of me just deciding a 'best fit' once I get to install it? I've had enough of cowboys so this is something I want to do properly myself! Hoping I can get as neat as some of these install pics! Lastly, are there any issues if I run some of the ducting along the purlins of the roof? Obviously will need to find a way to insulate the ducting sufficiently, but would like to keep the ducting off the floor of the attic if possible to keep future cowboys from walking/leaning/sitting on them! Thanks in advance! I'll have some other newbie questions after I've ready and deciphered some of the quotes received so far! OB