Vent-Axia's Lo-Carbon Sentinel Kinetic mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) system is providing excellent indoor air quality at the first phase of the Honeypark apartments in Dun Laoghaire, a development of 143 social and affordable homes located south-east of Dublin City Centre, whilst helping to cut fuel bills and reduce carbon emissions.

The development accommodates one, two and three bedroom residential apartments in a four-storey block. Under the direction of property developer Cosgrave Developments, Coakley McElligott installed the Sentinel Kinetic units to serve the kitchen, living room, bathroom and bedroom facilities in each property. Ideal for this type of new build application, Sentinel Kinetic helps meet the low energy ventilation requirements set out by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and helps satisfy the requirements of Part F of the Building Regulations. Having worked on a number of projects with Vent-Axia before, Cosgrave Developments were keen to select the Sentinel Kinetic solution because of its high performance, reliability, and cost effective installation, as Richard McElligott of Coakley McElligott explained: "With the Sentinel Kinetic system, Vent-Axia has developed a solution that is highly energy efficient and easy to install.

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"It is capable of 90% heat recovery which will be significant in helping reduce the dwelling emission rating (DER) of these apartments. Specifying Vent-Axia on this project gave the added peace of mind that comes with dealing with a leading manufacturer, backed up by the company's extensive technical support and ventilation expertise."

Sentinel Kinetic is a wholehouse, multi-room ducted solution which combines supply and extract ventilation in one unit. Warm, moist air is extracted from each apartment through ducting and passed through a heat exchanger before being exhausted to the outside. Fresh incoming air is preheated via the integral heat exchanger which recovers up to 90% of the heat that would otherwise be vented outside and therefore lost. The unit’s energy saving Vent-Axia DC motors further improve its efficiency and carbon reducing capabilities, with Sentinel Kinetic boasting 0.72w/l/s SFP.

The system offers adjustable dual speed options, either continuous trickle ventilation or high speed boost extract flow, and the more airtight the property, the more energy efficient the heat recovery system will prove, which is ideal for new dwellings that need to meet the Code for Sustainable Homes. Not only is heat recovery ventilation good at saving energy, it brings other benefits as well.

Heat recovery ventilation reduces excessive moisture in the air, combating condensation and subsequent mould growth, saving money on maintenance and decoration in the long and short-term. Residents are further aided through better indoor air quality which has the duel health benefits of reducing microscopic fungal growth and eliminating the conditions in which house dust mites thrive, both of which are linked to allergic reactions and asthma. With MVHR systems pollutants in the home are extracted and are simultaneously replaced with fresh air.

(CD/KMcA)