Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery & Sustainability in Construction

Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery (MVHR) for Prefab and Traditional Construction

We know that indoor air quality and mechanical ventilation are crucial in any form of residential construction. Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery systems are not only energy/cost-saving, but they are adaptable, much like the construction industry in general. Taking the assembly of a complex area of the build offsite has a huge benefit to mechanical and electrical installations.

As the UK Government strives to fulfil 300,000 homes-a-year-quota construction methods will continue to change to improve. Prefab solutions applied to traditional construction demonstrates this ingenuity in construction.

Back in 2015, we posted about the aircycle 1.2 being fitted in a revolutionary new prefabricated utility cupboard. Since then it is clear that this was not a one-off gimmick. The waters have been tested, and prefab utility cupboards are becoming the norm. It is well documented that modular offsite solutions provide significant overall cost savings in construction projects. Full offsite solutions can reduce project time by up to 30% and reportedly costs by up to 25%. A characteristic of the offsite industry not always mirrored with traditional construction is consistency. Modular units are manufactured and assembled in a controlled environment. Beyond the costs and quality, Prefab utility cupboards reduce risk, design, damage, loss, coordination clashes, etc.

Comparison between the 1.2 and 1.3 MVHR

Design opportunity for improvements through Prefab.

Residential projects are heavily specified and regulated. Previously, we have discussed system performance, attenuation, unit sizing, etc. Prefab utility cupboards require a significant front-end investment in time. Each cupboard type is meticulously designed to accommodate all services required in the available space. At the earliest stages, we can mock-up the cupboards for stakeholder approval. For instance, this can set a uniform method across the project to ensure there is a reduced chance of anyone system underperforming.

For Mechanical ventilation heat recovery systems this can benefit airflow performance by ensuring duct configuration off the MVHRs is coordinated with the 1^st fix runs to reduce pressure and the frequent variations to design we see on traditional sites. In terms of operational performance, this may mean ensuring that anti-vibe brackets are accommodated, or that the utility cupboard walls are correctly lined to eliminate vibration. Anti-vibe brackets can be purchased on our Amazon store.

MVHR manufacturers can put forward their recommendations, as do all other trades. Practical considerations such as unit location will ensure that MVHRs is maintainable. The manufacture of offsite modules becomes more akin to a manufacturing line; the process efficiencies are utilised, and this should yield a higher uniform standard of quality.

How do prefabricated utility cupboards benefit Project Management?

Though our focus is on ventilation the full Mechanical & Electrical aspect of residential 1^st and 2^nd fix benefits from modular utility cupboards. The 1^st and possibly most significant benefit here is reduced risk of human error. As well as MVHR, prefab utility cupboards typically consist of heat interface units, electrical consumer units, underfloor heating manifold and controls, telecoms equipment, utility meters, washing machines, and tumble dryers. Before we even begin to assemble these items, we have procurement, delivery, storage, and loading out to coordinate.

Offsite manufacture removes a significant amount of this onsite coordination and reduces the risk of damage to these costly materials. There’s a lot to fit into this small space and a lot of attendance is required to achieve this. Any of these utility cupboard items installed incorrectly can have a significant knock-on effect on the performance of all the services. Therefore, when this is methodically and precisely executed in sequence offsite there is a collective sign-off for the entire unit, not just each trade. We’ve seen countless site audit reports of services being ripped out and left on the floor, letterboxes pinched by other trades, damage caused between 2^nd fix and commissioning.

Spending less time in the utility cupboard and removing the need for this coordination means that connection to and signoff of the cupboard is much more easily managed. In addition, once delivered and in situ the cupboard is one more thing that can help ensure program certainty.

The aircycle 1.2 & 1.3 range are compact, lightweight and versatile with multiple mounting options, perfect for prefab structures.

Aircycle 1.3 Digital Range

Prefabricated utility cupboards are more sustainable.

The UK aims to meet the net-zero 2050 target, this sets an unprecedented challenge for the construction industry to explore and implement more sustainable energy and cost-effective means of construction. The demand for housing is high and the UK government strives to achieve the pledge to build 300,000 houses a year.

The Green Buildings Council indicates that up to 40% of the UK’s carbon footprint is attributed to the construction industry. According to industry estimates, residential modular construction can reduce up to 52% of construction waste. Applying this methodology to utility cupboards, bathroom pods, plant rooms, etc brings us closer to the sustainability of the full modular solution.

Above all, offsite manufacturing reduces onsite activities significantly resulting in shorter construction programs. This means of manufacture and assembly results in the significant reduction of waste on construction sites, fewer skips onsite, less deliveries to site, and overall, less waste management onsite reduces a project’s carbon footprint. Learn more