Vent-Axia has scooped the ‘Domestic Ventilation Product of the Year’ award at the H&V News Awards. The Sussex-based company secured the accolade for its Lo-Carbon Sentinel Econiq range of mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR). Designed to provide effective energy-efficient ventilation to meet the demands of net-zero homes, the Sentinel Econiq range also tackles overheating, one of the fastest-growing challenges for housebuilders.
The judges described the Lo-Carbon Sentinel Econiq Range as a “versatile and well-designed product with wide applicability”, adding that the high-efficiency range “offers strong performance and ease of integration”.
Designed to help housebuilders tackle the challenges of designing net-zero housing, the Lo-Carbon Sentinel Econiq range delivers good indoor air quality (IAQ), energy-efficient performance, and year-round thermal comfort, aiding compliance with Part O of the Building Regulations. The Lo-Carbon Sentinel Econiq range includes four core models: the Lo-Carbon Sentinel Econiq; Passivhauscertified units; the Sentinel Econiq Cool-Flow; and the Sentinel Econiq-Cool (KERS). Offering coolth or heat recovery efficiencies up to 93% and best-in-class Specific Fan Powers (SFPs), the range also boasts near-silent operation. Passivhaus models similarly boast excellent coolth or heat recovery and a specific electric power as low as 0.22Wh/m3 . Meanwhile, the whole Lo-Carbon Sentinel Econiq range offers an intelligent summer bypass to enable nighttime cooling.
When additional cooling is needed, the Sentinel Econiq Cool-Flow integrates DX cooling for automatic active cooling, featuring intelligent controls that automatically switch between heat recovery, summer bypass, and active cooling. Meanwhile, the Sentinel Econiq-Cool (KERS) model combines an MVHR unit with a KERS Coolboost air source heat pump. When conditions exceed defined comfort thresholds and passive cooling is no longer viable, the MVHR unit automatically signals the heat pump to activate cooling. This smart integration enables mechanical cooling and renewable hot water, offering a two-in-one solution with minimal energy use.
With SFPs as low as 0.39w/ls, with up to 93% heat recovery, hand-in-hand with near-silent operation with sound levels as low as 15.5 dB(A) (independently tested by SRL), the Sentinel Econiq is designed and developed in the UK to offer the highest levels of comfort and functionality all year round. Maximised airflows and minimised noise and energy are achieved through cutting-edge EC motors and highly sculpted interiors. www.vent-axia.com