Passive & Active Cooling

As homes become better insulated and more airtight, keeping them cool in summer is fast becoming as important as keeping them warm in winter. A well designed new build should plan for both from the outset.

With the right design and a careful installation, the equipment that heats your home can often cool it too. A heat pump and MVHR system, specified together, can work as a dual-function system: warming the house in winter and helping to cool it through the warmer months.  

Renewable Cooling – Ways to cool your home

There are several ways to cool a home, from familiar air conditioning to low-energy methods that make use of your heat pump and ventilation system. The right choice depends on your property, the equipment you already have, and whether it is a new build or a retrofit.

Split air conditioning. The traditional method, using a separate split AC unit with an outdoor and an indoor part. It is self-contained, which makes it the simplest option for many existing homes.

Reverse-cycle air source heat pump. Many air source heat pumps can run in reverse, providing cooling in summer as well as heating in winter. Not every model offers this, so the pump needs to be chosen with cooling in mind from the start.

Passive and active cooling from a ground source heat pump. The ground stays at a steady, cool temperature all year round. With passive (or natural) cooling, that coolness is circulated through your emitters using very little energy, as the compressor stays off. When more cooling is needed, active cooling brings the compressor into play to boost the effect.

Passive pre-cooling through MVHR. Your ventilation system can temper the fresh air coming into the house, taking the edge off warm incoming air with no active refrigeration.

Active pre-cooling through MVHR. For a stronger effect, a cooling coil actively chills the incoming fresh air before it is distributed around the home.