HRV/DVS/MM

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ratsun81

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#1086523 10-Jul-2014 16:34

mattwnz:
timmmay: New houses should have 100% double glazed windows and glass doors. PVC is the best material IMHO, it's been standard in cold climates for a long time, NZ is just starting to catch on. Aluminium is a poor choice, and thermally broken aluminium is about the same price as PVC.

The problem with PVC is that it is ugly and relatively expensive here considering it is the same price as thermally broken aluminium which look better IMHO. The main reason it is used a lot overseas us because it is usually the cheapest option. There are quite a few new thermally broken aluminium options now available. Otherwise I would go for timber if price wasn't an issue and you don't mind a bit more maintenance as timber can look better in some situations.

Not too sure where you are getting your prices from, when i was getting quotes 1 1/2 years ago PVC was cheaper than the Non thermally broken Alu by 3k. Let alone the thermally broken stuff which was going to be about 10k more. We ended up getting the pvc double glazed windows put in and it has to be in the top 3 best things we did to the house the other two being underfloor and roof insulation...

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timmmay

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#1086542 10-Jul-2014 17:46

My recent quote for two doors, one french one single, had PVC about 10-15% more expensive than a thermally broken aluminium door. $6600 or so for two doors, ouch.

Kickinbac

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#1086759 10-Jul-2014 21:30

Back on topic. I put a Mitsubishi Electric lossnay heat recovery system in my house. This is a balanced system with heat exchanger. It works really well in my 1960's 'state' house. I'm in the HVAC trade so could do it at a lower cost. My issue is that now when selling my house no one understands the difference to a crap HRV system. The real estate agent just ticks the hrv box. The best thing i did in my house was to rip off the gib and insulate the walls, that and ceiling and floor insulation.

mattwnz

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#1086764 10-Jul-2014 21:39

Kickinbac: Back on topic. I put a Mitsubishi Electric lossnay heat recovery system in my house. This is a balanced system with heat exchanger. It works really well in my 1960's 'state' house. I'm in the HVAC trade so could do it at a lower cost. My issue is that now when selling my house no one understands the difference to a crap HRV system. The real estate agent just ticks the hrv box. The best thing i did in my house was to rip off the gib and insulate the walls, that and ceiling and floor insulation.

I think the discussion on double glazing is very on topic, because there may not be a need for a ventilation system if the cause is dealt with. Plus condensation will not usually appear on double glazed windows or thermally broken frames.
But good point about people not understanding the difference between systems, probably because there isn't a lot of impartial info about them.
I think of it the other way though when looking at houses, and that is if someone has had one of these systems installed, then it may mean that there is a ventilation, condensation or dampness problem.

lokhor

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#1089727 16-Jul-2014 08:49

I got a quote from SmartVent for my 90 sqm single level home which included an HRV system, it was $4500 all up. Not sure if this is a good deal or not.

All comments are my own opinion, and not that of my employer unless explicitly stated.

timmmay

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#1089729 16-Jul-2014 08:55

lokhor: I got a quote from SmartVent for my 90 sqm single level home which included an HRV system, it was $4500 all up. Not sure if this is a good deal or not.

Well the fan is probably worth $400 max, the ducting $400, the fittings $300, and the control system $200. It's a great deal for them if they can sell a big fan, piping, and plastic for $4500, especially since its main function in winter is to make houses colder. Their heat recovery system would be better, a heat exchanger might be worth $500.

They do have a fancy looking system that seems reasonably flexible though.

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andrewNZ

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#1089736 16-Jul-2014 09:03

timmmay:
lokhor: I got a quote from SmartVent for my 90 sqm single level home which included an HRV system, it was $4500 all up. Not sure if this is a good deal or not.

Well the fan is probably worth $400 max, the ducting $400, the fittings $300, and the control system $200. It's a great deal for them if they can sell a big fan, piping, and plastic for $4500, especially since its main function in winter is to make houses colder. Their heat recovery system would be better, a heat exchanger might be worth $500.

They do have a fancy looking system that seems reasonably flexible though.

Smart Vent is a neutral pressure system that can actually do heat recovery. There is a lot more to one of their systems than a crap PPV system.

I plan to replace the HRV (brand) PPV system in my house the moment I can afford it. I will use either Smart Vent or Cleanaire.

timmmay

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#1089739 16-Jul-2014 09:11

What I'd like is a system that can close down vents in rooms that you don't need warmed from a central panel. Because ventilation includes heating, and the more rooms you heat the more it costs. You can buy mechanical electric dampers for around $120, but they wouldn't be integrated into the system.

Kickinbac

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#1089752 16-Jul-2014 09:25

Smartvent do two types of systems... 'Positive' which is a positive pressure system and 'Synergy' which is a balanced pressure true heat recovery system. The synergy systems cost significantly more than the positive as have two fans, heat exchanger, motorised dampers and more ducting and grilles ( they need an intake and outlet on the exterior of the building). They can be difficult to install depending on the house. $4500 for a synergy seems about right depending on the install. A ducted heat pump starts at around 8-10k and the amount of work is similar but without the outdoor unit install, equipment cost and refrigeration work.

Kickinbac

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#1089756 16-Jul-2014 09:32

timmmay: What I'd like is a system that can close down vents in rooms that you don't need warmed from a central panel. Because ventilation includes heating, and the more rooms you heat the more it costs. You can buy mechanical electric dampers for around $120, but they wouldn't be integrated into the system.

There is a system that does just this.. called Zonemaster http://www.zonemaster.com.au/ the supplier in NZ is www.smooth-air.co.nz they may be able to put you onto an installer. There are many variations on how the system can be installed and set up.

lokhor

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#1089760 16-Jul-2014 09:35

I am also in touch with Cleanaire so will see what they have to say.

As to the SmartVent system, I am unsure if it was the Synergy one. Their product line is rather confusing. It definitely included some form of HRV which was ~$1000 on the quote and also had ventilation coming in from outside. we don't have ceiling space at all so it would all have to be installed under the house. \

I am really just getting quotes to see what sort of pricing is out there. I actually think a lot of my moisture problems are related to a bathroom issue I have which I can't afford to fix until I save up for a new bathroom (10k+)

All comments are my own opinion, and not that of my employer unless explicitly stated.

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