How to Install Heat Transfer Kit

Reasons for Heat Transfer Kit Installation

If you’re struggling to achieve even warmth throughout your property during New Zealand’s cooler months, it might be time to consider a heat transfer kit for NZ homes. An efficient solution that’s easy to install, the idea here is around transferring heat – instead of letting it go to waste.

Both the SmartVent heat/energy recovery systems and positive pressure ventilation systems offer heat transfer as a seasonal add-on, for year-round home comfort when you need it most. Here, we’re covering what you need to know about how heat transfer works as an upgrade to your ventilation system and considerations for standalone heat transfer kit installation.

How does a heat transfer kit work?

The great thing about heat transfer kits is their ability to deliver warm air to the parts of the house that struggle to heat up. Your kit achieves this by drawing excess warm air from a room in your house that already has a heat source – such as a fireplace or wood burner – and transferring it to colder spaces.

This makes use of warm air that would otherwise be wasted, to circulate it to nominated rooms instead. The air inlet  is usually placed opposite the heat source, and picks up warm air through a ceiling vent, where an inline fan transfers it to its destination. This warm air then mixes with cooler air in the destination rooms and gradually warms it. By adding a heat transfer upgrade to your SmartVent system you can make the most of both ventilation and heat.

A range of heat transfer upgrades are available from the SmartVent shop

How to install a standalone heat transfer kit: Step-by-step

Heat transfer systems do their bit to prevent energy waste, by instead redirecting heat to other parts of the house. Not only that, but you can install most of it yourself, though you will need a qualified electrician for some parts of the process. Start with our guide on how to install a heat transfer kit.

1. Draw up a plan for your home. This should cover the rooms you want to heat up. Remember to make the duct runs as short as possible, to increase efficiency.
2. Install the intake vent in the ceiling near the heat source. Avoid placing this too close to the heat source,.
3. Mount the inline motor in the duct line. This can go between the intake vent and the first outlet vent (i.e. the first room you’ll be transferring heat to.) Avoid sending heat to the kitchen or the bathroom, as this will transfer damp air and cooking smells throughout the house.
4. Install your thermostat (if you have one) in the room with the primary heat source. Choose your optimal temperature. Once the room reaches this temperature, the heat transfer kit will shift excess heat to the other rooms.
5. Install outlet vents in each room. Place them on the opposite side of the doorway to create an even airflow pattern..
6. Branch take off pieces can then be used to split the air between rooms, using duct tape to secure everything together.
7. Ensure the air stays balanced between rooms by adjusting the vents.

If you want to install a standalone Heat Transfer kit, you can find more information on what kits are suitable at www.heattrans.co.nz, another great solution designed for NZ homes.

Get in touch for a helping hand

If you have any questions about heat transfer kit installation, call the NZ experts. We can help you out over the phone or send a local professional to your home. You can reach SmartVent on 0800 140 150 or enquiry@smartvent.co.nz.