Topic: Cleanaire or Smart-Vent Synergy

Cleanaire or Smart-Vent Synergy 

Hi all,

I've been doing a lot of research over the last few years into HRV's. Have decided on either a Cleanaire system, which has come in at around $6.5k, or a Smart-Vent Synergy, which I'm waiting on a price but i think will be something like $2k cheaper.

Does anyone have any recommomendations of one over the other. Cleanaire is probably the best, but is it $2k better??

Also, there are two options for the Cleanaire; MA600-80 and MA600-95. I understand that the latter is more efficient, but its also $700 more expensive. Does anyone have any experieince on whether the more efficient exchanger is worth the extra cost?

Re: Cleanaire or Smart-Vent Synergy 

I have a cleanaire, I'm happy with it, but it was expensive.
I needed the larger unit, MB800-95 which was $3200k. All up it cost me about $8400 once it was installed. (DIY install no labour costs) I spent over 100 hours getting it installed.

Once you get the unit and see how little there is to it, $3200 seems very expensive.

I had a quote from intellivent for a full supply and install for just over $4200.

Re: Cleanaire or Smart-Vent Synergy 

I dont need the -95 unit (our house is ~150m2 with 10ft stud), but the sales guys are saying its more efficient, which i'm sure it is as its bigger so will exchange more heat. However i was wondering if anyone has any experieince with the real differences between the -80 unit and the -95 unit.

We had a similar quote for the intellivent. I dont like taking roof air (our roof stinks something cronic) so it only narrows it down to a couple.

Re: Cleanaire or Smart-Vent Synergy 

Am I missing something? Intelivent seems like a true HRV (draws fresh air).

http://www.intelivent.co.nz/

Re: Cleanaire or Smart-Vent Synergy 

Yep it is, it doesn't using roof space air

Re: Cleanaire or Smart-Vent Synergy 

I had the Intelivent guys in a year ago. They categorically stated that they would not pull air in directly from outside. It had to come in from the roof.

Re: Cleanaire or Smart-Vent Synergy 

Looking at the picture on their brochure it shows an external fresh air vent, but.... looking at a picture the intelivent rep drew for me it shows the "fresh" air being drawn from the ceiling space.

now I'm confused too.

Re: Cleanaire or Smart-Vent Synergy 

What did you get for your quotes? Can you break it down a little, i.e. how many inlets outlets, approx what length of ducting etc.

Pete

Re: Cleanaire or Smart-Vent Synergy 

Not sure on lenghts. Intelivent came in a fraction over $4k (incl GST).

I'm going to call Intelivent tomorrow. I too looked at the brochure and thought great, clean air from outside. But like i say, last year it was a no-way. Maybe things have changed. Their website is pretty hard to pin this fact down.

Not sure about you, but my roof smells awful. I aint brining that air into my house.

Re: Cleanaire or Smart-Vent Synergy 

FYI I'm just selling a medium sized HRV on Trademe for $3500. It is most likely too large for a residential house though - too large and heavy to get/fit in the roof and the fans are big and powerful. It'll be good for a larger building or if you had lots of space it could be adapted for residential (eg with variable frequency drives to slow the fan speeds).
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=299903796

Re: Cleanaire or Smart-Vent Synergy 

Hi there, I sell both Cleanaire and Smart Vent Synergy systems. They are a little different from each other.

The Cleanaire is a positive pressure system and moves big amounts of air but efficiency is only around 65 to 70% heat recovery. Its good for the larger house and semi-commercial applications. Is the more efficient unit worth it - probably not in all honesty. This system does not come with a high level of control - no nice little digtal screen etc.

The Synergy is a new product that is low-pressure. The recovery is higher at up to 90% but its capacity is such that it is more suited to a 3 bedroom home or a compact 4 bedroom rather than an expansive house. Its very good value for money against ceiling sourced systems (which I do not sell). Comes with a comprehensive control unit - if your project is not too big, this would be my pick for many domestic situations.

Total costs will vary according to how extensive the ducting system is and a $1,000 is easy to add.

Re: Cleanaire or Smart-Vent Synergy 

Cleanaire systems draw air from outside - usually under the eaves. Smart Vent Synergy mainly draws air from outside in the same way but there is an option to add the ceiling air source - not really sure why you would though.

Oh, and Synergy has easy change filter systems and when to do it is indicated on the digital display. (optional carbon filter if you live in a smoky area).

Re: Cleanaire or Smart-Vent Synergy 

Just an update. Intelivent can take air from outside. Not their prefered option, but will do it if asked. So thats an option.

Just been also looking at the moistureMASTER™ HX. Looks like another option. Anyone got any experience of these? I'll get them to give me a price too.

Re: Cleanaire or Smart-Vent Synergy 

I do not normally promote products on here, but I have available a number of air to air heat exchangers ( I normally only supply to a vent company) This company has gone through, leaving many of us in the poo!
The units i have are VERY similar to the Lossnay unit. "Enthalpy type"
These produce 97L/S at 100 pa (or venting a house upto 1000m3)
I redesigned these to break down into small pieces (orginal size to big to go through a standard man hole)
These all so come with ozone sterilization, UV disinfection and oxygen enrichment.
A control panel (LCD) wired. 3 speed fan.
fairly basic air filter system , better than a normal heat pump, but not as good as some advertised.
Price $1400 ex christchurch. (but you do not need a great one because you draw air from outside)
you need some ductiing, grills etc. a 3 bed house normally about $600-800
manufactured by 3kings to our split design (so you can not find this exact model on the web site)
Model is ALH1-35RX3
Could spout about high efficiency like everbody else, in my opinion there are so many variable with all these systems, so practically I aim for 75% real efficiency
If you are intersted, just reply, and I will post my email address.
TC

Re: Cleanaire or Smart-Vent Synergy 

Got the price back for the Synergy. Significantly cheaper than Cleanaire. Can't really justify the extra for the Cleanaire to be honest.....

Intelivent looks ok, but it cuts out when the temperature outside drops below 5degC. Also, there is no manual control. The thing just does lots of crazy things to try to optimise heat in the house, without any way of manually forcing it to do what you want. Looks like the Synergy has auto modes, but can also move to manual.

I think i'm sold, but will dwell on it over the weekend.

Re: Cleanaire or Smart-Vent Synergy 

Hi Minch,

What area of NZ are you, I am looking at Smart vent as well as a possibility we live in Upper Hutt does the smart vent work below 5 deg?. If you could let us know on here how it goes with smart vent that would be great

Cheers

Stu

Re: Cleanaire or Smart-Vent Synergy 

we're in the middle of the north island. The synergy senses the temperature in the lounge, and cuts out or reduces the fan speed to the minimum setting (you can choose which one you want) when the lounge temperature drops below your preset. To me this is a far better idea. Sense the temp that you're interested in (i.e. the house), rather than outside.

Re: Cleanaire or Smart-Vent Synergy 

Guys, haven't you got the wrong end of the stick here?
These are ventilation systems not heating systems. It should be humidity that should be monitored, temperature is a secondary concern which should be addressed by proper insulation/draft proofing techniques and an effective whole house heating system.

(Sorry to harp on but...) Ten years ago in the UK, the heat recovery ventilation system produced about 13C at the outlets even when the outside temp was below zero, the hydronic UFH kicked in twice per day to keep the temp about 20C with 18C setback at other times and the uPVC windows never showed a hint of condensation.
The contrast with houses in NZ 10 years later is stunning. These days I'm lucky to get above 13C in the lounge when I get up in the morning and I invariably can't see out of the windows in the morning as they resemble the inside of a shower cubicle.

Its a good job we immigrants don't come here for the superbly built houses :)))
Pete

Re: Cleanaire or Smart-Vent Synergy 

Interested in the $1400 unit .. please mail me rob@ihug.co.nz

Re: Cleanaire or Smart-Vent Synergy 

Hi all, had a Cleanaire ma600-80 in a 237sqm house, stopped the condensation within 12 hours of turning it on in the middle of winter.
Next time I would get the next size down and run it slowly, as I found with temperature sensors on all the inlets and outlets the recovery improved with a slower air speed. At times I was getting near 95% recovery and at worst around 60% all depended on
the better the recovery the lower the outside temp.
Next one I will install dampers to recirculate teh air around the house when it gets below freezing outside so as to not drop the temp in the house too much.

Re: Cleanaire or Smart-Vent Synergy 

To Anon 7:25:

How did you calculate the efficiencies? (interested in the maths)

Also what sort of sensors did you use and how did you mount them?
I added 1-wire sensors to my clearaire, (one in each chamber) but i wonder about the positioning in the airflow for accurate measurements.

Re: Cleanaire or Smart-Vent Synergy 

Yes used 1-wire sensors in the ducting just external to the unit down to my computer running logtemp.
For my next house I'm in the process of writing a program to read the temps and when the incoming air is too cold either shut it down or just recirculate the air around the house which will spread the humidity until the outside air warms a bit.

Re: Cleanaire or Smart-Vent Synergy 

Hi all,

This subject come sup a lot her and on buildyourdream. So last year I had a w/e to myself and in internet connection.

Here's what I came up with viz-a-viz the as-good-as full range of HRV/ERV systems available in NZ:

http://kapiti-off-grid.pbworks.com/Ventilation (The Excel spreadsheet linked at the bottom of the page)

I posted this before in another thread but I can't be arsed looking for it!

Cheers
Russ

Re: Cleanaire or Smart-Vent Synergy 

Go for the Cleanaire you wont regreat it.
The synergy unit wont do the job as well and wont last as long.
Trust me you get what you pay for.
Cleanaire have been making HRVs for 30 years they know there stuff.

Re: Cleanaire or Smart-Vent Synergy 

Why buy a product like the synergy that it so new on the market not even tested for nz conditions.
It has a plastic core and they will rot out,
Its a no brainer people do your reasearch its all there.
Just like hot water heat pumps all these companys selling this stuff and we find out 3 years later the heat exchangers are not up to it.People need to be carefull and go with a product thats been around for a while to know all the problems.