Everything you need to know about CMV in Belgium: How it works, advantages and installation
Controlled Mechanical Ventilation (CMV) is a key element in ensuring the indoor air quality of our houses and flats. In the UK, where climatic conditions can make natural ventilation difficult, CMV is becoming an essential solution for guaranteeing a healthy and comfortable environment. This article explains everything you need to know about CMV, how it works, its advantages, and how to install it in your home.
What is CMV?
Controlled Mechanical Ventilation (CMV) is a modern and effective solution for maintaining healthy and fresh indoor air in buildings. Unlike traditional natural ventilation methods, which depend on external conditions such as openings (windows, vents) and temperature changes, CMV ensures constant and controlled air renewal, which is particularly important in modern homes, which are often more airtight. This system operates autonomously and guarantees good air quality throughout the year by removing stale air and introducing fresh air.
The CMV works using a fan that extracts air from so-called “wet” rooms (kitchen, bathroom, toilet) and provides continuous ventilation, even when the windows are closed. This regular ventilation prevents the accumulation of moisture and pollutants (such as VOCs, or Volatile Organic Compounds) and helps to prevent mould growth and maintain a healthy environment. It is particularly useful in regions such as Belgium, where humidity can be high, especially during the winter months.
There are two main types of CMV systems, which differ in terms of their technology and operating mode: single-flow CMV and dual-flow CMV.
- Single-flow CMV: This system extracts stale air from damp rooms and expels it outside, while fresh air enters the main rooms via ventilation grilles. This model is simpler to install and remains an economical choice for homes that do not require optimised thermal management. However, it can lead to heat loss in winter, as the fresh air entering the home is not preheated before being distributed throughout the house.
- Dual-flow CMV: This model is more sophisticated and operates with two separate air flows: one for extracted air and another for fresh air. The key component of dual-flow CMV is the heat exchanger, which recovers heat from the extracted air to preheat the incoming air, thereby preventing significant heat loss. This system is more expensive to install, but it is ideal for improving a building’s energy efficiency while maintaining constant thermal comfort. It is particularly suitable for well-insulated houses or new buildings, as it reduces heating requirements in winter while ensuring constant air renewal.
Both systems offer advantages in terms of indoor air quality, but the choice between single-flow CMV and dual-flow CMV will depend on several factors, such as the type of dwelling, thermal insulation requirements, budget and preferences in terms of energy comfort.
How CMV works
Controlled Mechanical Ventilation (CMV) works on a simple principle: automatically and controllably renewing the air inside a building to ensure a healthy and comfortable environment. Here’s how it works:
1. Extraction of stale air
The system begins by extracting stale air from rooms known as “wet rooms” or those most prone to accumulating moisture, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and toilets. This is done via a network of ducts connected to a central fan. The extracted air often contains pollutants, moisture, and unpleasant odours, which must be removed to improve air quality.
2. Introduction of fresh air
At the same time, the system brings fresh air into living areas such as the lounge, bedrooms and offices. Fresh air enters through ventilation grilles in the walls or windows, and is often filtered before being introduced to prevent outdoor pollution.
3. Constant air circulation
Once the air has been extracted and fresh air introduced, the CMV system ensures constant air circulation throughout the building, preventing the accumulation of pollutants and humidity. The air is renewed regularly, even when the windows are closed, which is essential in modern buildings that are often well insulated and do not allow for sufficient natural ventilation.
4. Heat recovery (for dual-flow CMV)
In the case of a dual-flow CMV system, the air extracted from inside passes through a heat exchanger, where it transfers its heat to the incoming fresh air, which is thus warmed before being distributed throughout the rooms. This process maintains a comfortable temperature while reducing heat loss, thereby improving the building’s energy efficiency. A dual-flow CMV system can recover up to 90% of the heat from the extracted air, reducing energy consumption for heating.
5. Air filtration (optional)
Modern CMV systems are often equipped with filters that purify incoming air, removing impurities, dust, and other fine particles. This ensures that the air entering rooms is as clean as possible, which is beneficial to the health of occupants, especially those with allergies or respiratory problems.
Benefits of CMV
- Improved indoor air quality: CMV ensures constant air renewal, reducing humidity, pollutants and unpleasant odours. This is particularly important in Belgium, where long winters can lead to very humid and stagnant indoor air.
- Thermal comfort: With a dual-flow CMV system, you benefit from optimal thermal management. The heat exchanger recovers heat from the extracted air and transfers it to the incoming air, maintaining a comfortable temperature while reducing energy consumption for heating.
- Prevention of mould and mildew: Good ventilation helps combat excessive humidity in rooms, which can lead to the formation of mould and mildew. This helps to keep the structure of your building in good condition.
- Energy savings: A well-designed dual-flow CMV system reduces the need to heat incoming fresh air, which lowers energy consumption for heating. In addition, CMV helps maintain a constant, comfortable temperature in rooms.
- Simple installation and maintenance: Installing a CMV system is relatively simple, especially for a single-flow CMV. Annual maintenance is recommended to ensure proper operation, including cleaning the filters and checking the ducts.
Installation of CMV in Belgium
The installation of a Controlled Mechanical Ventilation (CMV) system in Belgium requires a professional approach to ensure optimal system performance and compliance with local construction and ventilation standards. Whether for a renovation or new build, it is essential to choose the right type of CMV system for your home and to call on qualified experts for installation.
At Frigotec, we offer a comprehensive CMV installation service in Belgium, whether for single-flow or dual-flow CMV systems. Here are the key stages of installation:
1. Needs assessment
The first step in installing a CMV system is to assess the specific needs of your home. Our experts take into account the surface area, type of building, insulation and wind exposure to determine the most suitable system. Based on these criteria, we advise you on the CMV model that will offer you the best compromise between performance, comfort and energy efficiency.
2. Choice of CMV system
Once the assessment has been carried out, we will help you choose between a single-flow or dual-flow CMV system, depending on your priorities. If you are looking for a simple and economical solution, a single-flow CMV system may be sufficient. If you want to improve the thermal management of your home and reduce energy consumption, a dual-flow CMV system is recommended.
3. Installation of ducts and ventilation grilles
The installation of ducts is a crucial step. They must be installed in such a way as to ensure optimal air circulation throughout the building. Ducts are often concealed in walls or ceilings, so installation requires a certain amount of expertise to ensure they function properly without compromising the aesthetics of your interior. We also take care of installing ventilation grilles in the various living areas to ensure optimal ventilation.
4. Connecting the fan
Once the ducts and grilles have been installed, the central fan (which is the heart of the CMV system) is connected. It will be placed in a technical space (such as the attic or a cellar) and connected to the ducts. In the case of a dual-flow CMV system, a heat exchanger is also installed to recover heat from the extracted air and transfer it to the incoming fresh air, thereby improving the energy efficiency of the system.
5. Adjustment and commissioning
After installing the technical components, we adjust the system to ensure it operates according to your requirements. We check the air flow and duct pressure, and ensure that all rooms are properly ventilated. For dual-flow models, we also check the heat exchanger to verify that heat recovery is working efficiently.
6. Maintenance and monitoring
At Frigotec, we don’t just install your CMV system, we also offer a maintenance service to ensure the longevity and efficiency of your system. Regular maintenance, which includes cleaning the filters and checking the ducts, is essential to guarantee optimal operation. We offer maintenance contracts tailored to your needs to extend the life of your system and maintain indoor air quality.
Why choose Frigotec for the installation of your CMV in Belgium?
- Expertise and experience: With years of experience in installing CMV systems, our team of experts guarantees professional installation that complies with standards and is tailored to your needs.
- Tailored solutions: We offer customised solutions based on the characteristics of your home and your expectations in terms of comfort and energy efficiency.
- Personalised follow-up: At Frigotec, we offer post-installation follow-up to ensure that your CMV is working optimally and to respond quickly if necessary.
Installing a CMV system is an investment in the air quality and energy efficiency of your home. Contact Frigotec.be, your CMV expert in Belgium, for fast, efficient and durable installation.
CMV is an essential system for ensuring good air quality and optimal comfort in your home. In the UK, where the climate and characteristics of buildings can make natural ventilation insufficient, a CMV system helps to ensure a healthy environment while optimising heat and energy management. Whether you choose a single-flow or dual-flow CMV system, it is essential to choose and install your system carefully to maximise its benefits. Do not hesitate to consult a professional to determine the best solution for your home.
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