Vent-Axia Sentinel Kinetic

The Sentinel Kinetic is Vent-Axia's whole house MVHR range and the most widely specified family of heat recovery units in UK residential new build. Every model does the same core job, supplying filtered fresh air to habitable rooms while extracting from wet rooms and recovering the heat on the way out. What separates them is airflow, spigot size, control level and the physical shape of the unit, and that is what decides which one fits your project.

We stock the range from the BH at 250 m³/h through to the High Flow at 684 m³/h, in left and right hand configurations where the model offers them. Heat recovery efficiency runs from around 90% on the FH and High Flow up to 93% on the Advance S. If you have a design airflow rate, a plant space to fit into, or a duct layout that dictates the handing, send it to hello@efans.co.uk or call 0161 399 3825 and we will pick the right unit with you rather than leave you to guess from a spec sheet. Trade accounts get contract pricing and we can quote against a plot schedule.

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Which Sentinel Kinetic model do I need?

Work from the design airflow rate. The BH covers up to 250 m³/h on 125mm spigots and suits most two and three bedroom homes. The FH steps up to 360 m³/h on four 125mm spigots and carries an SEC Class A+ rating. The Advance S handles 370 m³/h with a touch screen controller and the best efficiency in the range at 93%. The Plus B moves 500 m³/h on 150mm spigots for larger properties. The High Flow tops the range at 684 m³/h on 180mm and 200mm spigots for large or multi-storey homes. If your airflow calculation sits between two models, size up rather than down, because a unit running near its maximum is noisier and less efficient than one running comfortably.

What is the difference between left hand and right hand?

Handing describes which side the supply and extract spigots sit on, and it has to match your duct layout. Get it wrong and you are either re-routing ductwork or returning the unit. The BH, FH and High Flow are all supplied as separate left hand and right hand units, so check the plant space and duct runs before ordering. The Advance S is different: handing is set in the controller rather than fixed in the hardware, so one unit covers both. If you are unsure, send us a sketch of the plant position and duct routes.

How efficient is the Sentinel Kinetic range?

Heat recovery efficiency runs from almost 90% on the High Flow, to up to 90% on the FH, up to 92% on the BH and Plus B, and 93% on the Advance S. Those are manufacturer test figures. Real world recovery depends on the temperature difference between inside and outside, the speed the unit runs at, and whether the filters are clean, and it is highest in winter when it matters most. Worth noting that the Advance S also has a specific fan power of 0.38 W/l/s, which matters more than headline recovery on a Part L calculation.

Which models have a summer bypass?

Summer bypass is standard across the range and it is not the same as cooling. The bypass routes supply air around the heat exchanger when the outside air is cooler than the inside, so the unit stops recovering heat you do not want. On a hot day it cannot deliver air below the outdoor temperature, because there is no refrigeration involved. The Plus B has a programmable bypass alongside an integral humidistat, and the Advance S has a full summer bypass with touch screen control.

What size ducting do the units need?

Spigot size varies across the range and it is one of the most common ordering mistakes. The BH is 125mm, the FH has four 125mm spigots, the Plus B is 150mm, and the High Flow is 180mm or 200mm. Check the spigot size against your ducting before you order, particularly on a retrofit where the ductwork is already installed.

Will it fit the plant space?

Sizes and weights differ more than people expect. The BH is 550 x 550 x 285mm and 15kg, the FH 555 x 550 x 350mm and 18kg, the Advance S 760 x 660 x 343mm and 32kg, the Plus B 722 x 785 x 526mm and 24kg, and the High Flow 785 x 635 x 722mm and 31kg. Leave servicing clearance in front of the unit for filter changes, because a unit that cannot be serviced easily is a unit whose filters do not get changed.

How often do the filters need changing?

Every 6 to 12 months depending on the location and air quality. A blocked filter reduces airflow, drops heat recovery efficiency and makes the fans work harder, which is the most common cause of an MVHR system underperforming. We stock Vent-Axia replacement filters, so send us the model number and we will confirm the correct set.

Do you supply Sentinel Kinetic units for trade and development projects?

Yes. We supply M&E contractors, developers, housing associations and installers, and we hold stock across the BH, FH, High Flow and Plus B for next day delivery. If you have a multi-plot development, send the schedule and we will price it and confirm handing plot by plot. Call 0161 399 3825 or email hello@efans.co.uk.