Green Building Forum - MVHR maintenance

MVHR maintenance

djh — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 12:26:36 +0100

Can anybody recommend any MVHR maintenance firms? I can do it myself but as I get older I can see that I won't be able/want to in the future so I'd like to establish a relationship with a firm now whilst I can still rectify any problems they leave myself. I'm thinking specifically of the occasional 'clean the heat exchanger' level of maintenance rather than the regular change/clean the filters (though I suppose the time will come for that as well, but any local person could do that). We're in Suffolk, if the firm's not national.

MVHR maintenance

revor — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 18:37:07 +0100

Have you asked your MVHR manufacturer they may have agents who do this kind of work. I note your comment re ageing and sometimes wonder how long I will be able to do physical things particularly lifting heavy items. I took some inspiration from Brian Blessed (who was on Newsnight a few weeks ago promoting the repeat of I Caligula) who stated "I have not made a contract with old age" think have got it right but if not that is his sentiment as he plans to be the oldest man to go to space. He will have to wait a bit then as William Shatner was 90 when he did it in Blue Origin.

MVHR maintenance

Doubting_Thomas — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 09:34:46 +0100

As it happens we're having ours serviced next week, after 5 years of faultless performance. I'm actually slightly apprehensive that they'll break something, but have to trust they know what they are doing!

In our case, the company who installed it got in touch with us to suggest it as part of their range of services.

The only issue is that I'm in the West Country, so it's unlikely they'll operate as far out as Suffolk. Will ask them though, or see if there's someone they'd recommend in your area.

MVHR maintenance

djh — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 11:37:29 +0100

Good idea, David, I'll ask. Thanks, Tom, we installed ours ourself but let me know if they have any recommendations.

MVHR maintenance

tony — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 16:53:35 +0100

My story, first service free after 6 months, second £500 after five years but I got 50% discount for putting an install the way of my supplier. Third service 18months ago £240 was here for 5 hours cleaning checking and balancing my system. I had throttled back some terminals in unoccupied but now occupied rooms. The company was local and installed heat pumps and ventilation systems. They will come back next year.

MVHR maintenance

djh — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 19:54:41 +0100

Thanks, Tony.

MVHR maintenance

Rex — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 10:37:42 +0100

Perhaps a stupid question but what is there to service?

I change the filters regularly; clean the inlet pipe for any spiders etc. The only mechanical things are the fan motors but regular fans don't have anything to service and rarely go wrong.

Mine has been installed for over 12 years now, and the only 'issue' I have is the override thermostat occasional giving an alarm warning. At a push, I will replace the thermostats.

MVHR maintenance

djh — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 11:04:01 +0100

Posted By: RexPerhaps a stupid question but what is there to service?

I'm thinking about cleaning the heat exchanger and the fans, specifically.

MVHR maintenance

revor — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 15:16:34 +0100

Posted By: djh
Posted By: RexPerhaps a stupid question but what is there to service?
I'm thinking about cleaning the heat exchanger and the fans, specifically.

The HE on my Titon pulls out as a big cartridge and can be blown clean with compressed air. Allows access as well when removed to clean inside although the filters make a good job of that. I bought an anemometer kit with hoods (price of a service) to place over the valves for when I installed the system and can come in useful to check flow which sometimes do when changing filters.

MVHR maintenance

an02ew — Sat, 28 Oct 2023 19:29:40 +0100

Posted By: RexPerhaps a stupid question but what is there to service?

I change the filters regularly; clean the inlet pipe for any spiders etc. The only mechanical things are the fan motors but regular fans don't have anything to service and rarely go wrong.

Mine has been installed for over 12 years now, and the only 'issue' I have is the override thermostat occasional giving an alarm warning. At a push, I will replace the thermostats.

Exactly, regular filter cleaning and change annually, heat exchanger and fan motors cleaned maybe every 5 years,
I’m not sure if it’s possible to lubricate the motors? I have had to replace 3 this year that had rusted and seized

MVHR maintenance

Simon Still — Sun, 29 Oct 2023 11:56:58 +0000

Posted By: revor
Posted By: djh
Posted By: RexPerhaps a stupid question but what is there to service?
I'm thinking about cleaning the heat exchanger and the fans, specifically.

The HE on my Titon pulls out as a big cartridge and can be blown clean with compressed air. Allows access as well when removed to clean inside although the filters make a good job of that. I bought an anemometer kit with hoods (price of a service) to place over the valves for when I installed the system and can come in useful to check flow which sometimes do when changing filters.

I need to set up my system again (I'm adding on a room that previously wasn't connected).

Would you like to rent your Anemometer for a week?

MVHR maintenance

revor — Sun, 29 Oct 2023 14:30:21 +0000

Posted By: Simon StillWould you like to rent your Anemometer for a week?

Sorry No. After lending stuff out over the years and had grief with stuff not working properly afterward or having to ask for their return, I do not let any of my tools or instruments go out of my possession. Neighbours often ask but I will go to them or get them to come to my workshop if they want my help. I will let them borrow something that does not have a cutting edge or is used for measuring or is powered in any way. You can buy a set here. This is the one I have.

https://www.test-meter.co.uk/extech-an310-anemometer-and-psycrometer.

I bought one as it was cheaper than geting someone in to do it. Plus I get to learn something new.

MVHR maintenance

Simon Still — Sun, 29 Oct 2023 17:05:48 +0000

Posted By: revor
Posted By: Simon StillWould you like to rent your Anemometer for a week?

You can buy a set here. This is the one I have.

https://www.test-meter.co.uk/extech-an310-anemometer-and-psycrometer.

I bought one as it was cheaper than geting someone in to do it. Plus I get to learn something new.

Ouch £300.... I rented one to do the initial set up and it didn't cost much - will look into it again.

MVHR maintenance

Dominic Cooney — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 09:19:45 +0000

Posted By: Simon StillI rented one to do the initial set up

me too

MVHR maintenance

Dominic Cooney — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 09:21:57 +0000

https://www.inlec.com/airflow-lca-301-vane-anemometer-with-aircone-flow-hoods

MVHR maintenance

Dominic Cooney — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 09:22:55 +0000

I am not affiliated to that company, it's just the one I used to set mine up.

MVHR maintenance

Simon Still — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 11:48:28 +0000

Posted By: Dominic CooneyI am not affiliated to that company, it's just the one I used to set mine up.

Thanks - I just looked back and paid only £59 including delivery to borrow one from BPC but they no longer offer that. £55, plus 44!! delivery, plus VAT suddenly gets very expensive.

I'm wondering about buying used on eBay and reselling when done...

MVHR maintenance

Doubting_Thomas — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 12:40:12 +0000

Posted By: Simon StillI'm wondering about buying used on eBay

That is what I did (Testo 410-1) but still haven't managed to find a compatible cowl/cone to take proper measurements. At some point I'll probably make something out of cardboard.

You're welcome to borrow the anemometer for a week or so if you pay the postage. I've not calibrated it and, as above, you'll need to find a cone. But if that still appeals whisper a message on here.

MVHR maintenance

Dominic Cooney — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 14:54:18 +0000

I think the £44 was for delivery and collection again once you had finished with it. A lot cheaper than the many hundreds of pounds I was quoted for someone to come and do the exact same job (at least £500 IIRC)

MVHR maintenance

Dominic Cooney — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 14:56:54 +0000

That included the 2 x cones as well, one round one rectangular. Everything I needed to do mine. Calibration certificate as well to show Building Control.

MVHR maintenance

revor — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 18:03:18 +0000

Posted By: Simon StillOuch £300.... I rented one to do the initial set up and it didn't cost much - will look into it again.

It was cheaper than that when I bought in about 2015. It gets other uses also RH, Temp, checks and comes in useful to test wind speed to see if using the cherry picker is safe. I used to hire stuff many years ago but the tools did not function properly or you ended up paying surcharges for OTT consumables. Look after stuff and they last and you will find use for it. Still using a concrete mixer I bought in about 1982 and still very clean British made and only needed to replace a pulley and drive belt in that time.

MVHR maintenance

Dominic Cooney — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 06:33:53 +0000

Same here, concrete mixer (Belle) must be about 45 years old and was the F-in-Law’s
Second replacement belt in the 20 years that we have borrowed it and still going strong.

MVHR maintenance

borpin — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 07:29:42 +0000

Yes, still got a small Mixer bought 25 years ago. Clean the drum properly and immediately (never lend it).

The electric motor wouldn't start the drum at one point. Found a small place that replaced the capacitor for £15 I think.

Paid for itself many times over.

MVHR maintenance

Peter_in_Hungary — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 08:01:21 +0000

Posted By: Dominic CooneySecond replacement belt in the 20 years that we have borrowed it and still going strong.

And doubtless couldn't claim on the guarantee because drive belts are usually considered consumables and not covered.

And having borrowed it from F-i-L makes it particularly good value

MVHR maintenance

djh — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 11:01:51 +0000

Generally agree about tool rental, but calibrated airflow meters seem to be OK based on my own experience plus what I've read on here. Maybe because they're rented by specialist firms, not the general big boys?