HRV system problems, advice?

caitR

Hi,
I'm wondering if anyone could recommend someone in Limerick region to check out a HRV system installed back in 1999 complete with solar panels etc. The problem I'm having is that the house never gets warm, the air flow favours one side of the house and not much air make it to the rooms downstairs. Suspect lots of air leaks?

It's a timber frame house, it's not a cold house, but it just doesn't warm up say tonight, even with the gas heading is on 4hrs straight - it's 16degC.
The only time the house is warm is in summer on sunny days when the panels kick in and then it's way too warm!

I don't know much about the system, but seems it's called Kollectaire Heating? the house is supposedly a "safewarm" house.
I know the filters in the air exchange do need to be filtered (been 2yrs) but it's not just that, the system hasn't worked well for as long as i've been living here...almost 5years.

so if anyone has any experience or suggestions I would really appreciate it or a number of someone who'd be willing to talk a look at it.

From reading other posts, I'm curious about air tightness tests etc, are there folks in limerick that would do these and what do they cost?
If I can't get this sorted, next stop is installing old fashioned radiators throughout which i seriously do not want to have to do.
thanks,
c.

BryanF

hi cait
id say this is a 3 pronged approach

1. architect to deal with upgrade of insulation and spec/detail/liaise/translate other consultants/trades
2. air-tightness tester to assess the leaks (maybe doubling up having a thermal imaging camera)
3. HRV specialist - preferably from a heating engineering background

Do-more

caitR wrote: »

I know the filters in the air exchange do need to be filtered (been 2yrs) but it's not just that, the system hasn't worked well for as long as i've been living here...almost 5years.

Any HRV system I have looked at needs the filters to be cleaned or changed on a regular basis to keep the system working efficiently, this can be as regular as every 3 months but certainly not more than every 6 months so if your filters haven't been changed in over 2 years they are most likely completely clogged and should be replaced immediately.

rebelden

It would seem to be a fulltime job so, dealing with theses renewables i.e maintance and what not and trying to pay for them in the first place.

BryanF

rebelden wrote: »

It would seem to be a fulltime job so, dealing with theses renewables i.e maintance and what not and trying to pay for them in the first place.

I don't understand where your coming from?

what 'renewables' are you referring to?

hrv has a small amount of maintenance, that you can often do yourself.

do you own a boiler?

do you service it?

caitR

thanks folks, am looking at sourcing new filters and also into the different testing. cheers!

fitzie79

have you sourced replacement filters for the hrv system. i am looking to replace mine (itho eco4 system). I got some last year but am wondering if there are cheaper options out there than €50 for g5 filters

caitR

fitzie79 - yes, I've tracked down a source for the filters used in my system, they're made by Delta Filtration in Limerick. They seem to have a range of different filters, just google them, perhaps they may have yours too.
In the meantime, I hoovered the old filters and that's made a bit of a difference, bit more airflow. Plan to do this more regularly now that I'm aware of what/where/how etc! Will still replace them, once I get hold of new ones.