integration of hot water from solar collectors and HRV system

Bobbiblu

Is it possible or advisable to integrate the hot water derived from solar collectors into a HRV system as a means of adding additional heat to the incoming air supply ? (as opposed to perhaps using an electric element for example) if its not possible or advisable can anyone explain to me why this is so? many thanks.

sydthebeat

Bobbiblu wrote: »

Is it possible or advisable to integrate the hot water derived from solar collectors into a HRV system as a means of adding additional heat to the incoming air supply ? (as opposed to perhaps using an electric element for example) if its not possible or advisable can anyone explain to me why this is so? many thanks.

These systems already exist.

They are called HVAC system (Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning systems).

They are usually designed for industrial or commercial applications. If they would be used in a domestic situation they would be in place of an underfloor or rad system as they are air based. I do not know for sure, but i would be very surprised if these systems havent some kind of heat recovery built-in... perhaps someone else knows this??

Do-more

Adding supplemental heat via HRV is popular with passive house builds using various renewable sources.

The key to this is having a proper control mechanism in place, you don't want to be pumping extra heat into the house on a hot sunny day and likewise during winter you don't want to be using all your solar heat in the HRV system and then have to use an immersion for your shower.

I would suggest that this could be best done by having a very large super insulated tank and panel specifically for the HRV system, the water temps don't need to be as high as would be needed for DHW. I remember seeing massive tanks being used for something like this in a passive house in Austria on "About the house" a few years back.

You then need to place a heat exchanger (maybe an old aluminium car radiator) in the duct after the HRV unit and have this fed from your tank and controlled by room stats to provide the additional heat only when required.

I'm dreaming this up on the hoof so if anyone sees any flaws (apart from cost) or has anything to add then jump right in!

Bobbiblu

Hi guys thanks for your replies. I had thought alright that the system would need a proper control mechanism to work properly and I will check out the "About the house" episode you mentioned Do-more. As for the old car radiator my OH may not go for that although it is appealing to me Think I'll contact a few HRV suppliers and see what they come up with now that I know what I've been thinking is possible. Cheers.

conor2949

Interesting thread.

I looked into this a few months ago and I found a company up the north who do such a system for domestic installations.

It uses solar panels to heat the air intake of a HRV system.

I will PM you the details.

conor2949