MVHR design considerations

[JFDevon]

We completed our build 18 months ago, so this post is more of an academic exercise in light of our experience with the system, for the possible enlightenment of others. Or ridicule perhaps.

We have a Zehnder Q350 with extraction connected radially to 3 shower rooms, a WC, a kitchen, a utility room and a plant room. The supply feeds go to three bedrooms, the large living room (2) and the' office' (2). So 7 ins and 7 outs.

 

A couple of matters arise from our usage.

We have auto humidity boost turned on, so for showers etc the fan ramps up with no human actions. This is great, except if someone gets up 'early' and has a shower. The still recumbent others are then subjected to the quite loud boost noise that ensues. Not a terminal sufferance but a factor to consider. Perhaps we should just turn off the auto feature when guests are here. It is a bit fiddly delving into the menus on the unit in the plant room, but not impossible. Or just leave it off and manually boost when necessary using the app on the idevices. Or never boost and let the removal of the moisture take a lot longer.

 

The other matter is a bit more delicate and concerns ensuite facilities and their use. Activity in them is not always in quiet mode and sometimes can involve less than pleasant noises. MVHR principles dictate that doors have large gaps at the bottom to enable air flows from the supply bedrooms to the extract en suites. This also enables easy sound transmission to the adjoining bedroom and its occupant. Can the collective knowledge and brains comment on the principle of reverting to air and 'sound proof' doors and instead providing a supply feed inside the en suite, albeit at the opposite diagonal to the extract to maximise air flows.

 

Not a major 3rd world problem but worthy of discussion perhaps.

 

[ProDave]

I will only add that if I need to perform a function that is not "quiet mode" then I would not use the en-suite, but a more separated facility to spare myself any embarrassment. 

[Russell griffiths]

It really depends on you and how you use your house. 

Our  last house had a large en-suite connected directly to the bedroom, no door nothing, the thought of somebody doing a no2 in there whilst their partner was present just doesn’t happen, en-suite for a nighttime wee and a shower not for no2s. 

 

When we sold that house we had a dozen views from Australians who didn’t bat an eyelid, however the few English that viewed found it very odd that there wasn’t a door. 

 

Really depends on lifestyle. 

 

 

 

[Oz07]

@Russell griffiths not to mention the water was swirling round the wrong way

[Simplysimon]

fit a door properly and leave it open when finished or if you've been married for 20+ it won't matter