Cooling Innovation for Offices & Halls: Quiet, Efficient, and Design-Friendly Delivering comfort cooling in large-scale spaces like... Read more
Fight Damp and Mould with Continuous Extract Ventilation – Our CV2.1 Condensation and mould are common problems in... Read more
Home > Case Studies > Shanganagh Castle Estate Shanganagh Castle Estate Consulting Engineer IN2 Developer LDA Technical Advisor Homan O'Brien Mechanical Contractor M&P Mechanical Versatile was commissioned to supply a Passive House-compliant mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) solution for the Shanganagh Castle Estate development on behalf of the Land Development Agency. The large-scale residential project comprises 51 houses and 546 apartments, requiring a high-performance ventilation system capable of delivering exceptional energy efficiency while maintaining occupant comfort. Versatile was responsible for supplying a mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) solution that met the stringent performance requirements of Passive House standards. The solution centred on the Zehnder ComfoPost air-to-water heat exchanger, integrated with ComfoWell air distribution connections to provide efficient heating of the supply air. The system was designed to: Meet Passive House energy performance requirements. Reduce the overall heating demand through high heat recovery efficiency. Deliver reliable, low-maintenance performance across a large residential development. Provide ultra-quiet operation suitable for apartment living. Support the project’s sustainability and decarbonisation objectives. The Challenge The scale of the Shanganagh Castle Estate development presented a number of technical and operational challenges. Achieving Passive House compliance required exceptional heat recovery performance to minimise the building’s heating load while maintaining high indoor air quality. In addition, with hundreds of residential units in close proximity, acoustic performance was a critical consideration, requiring an ultra-quiet ventilation solution that would not compromise occupant comfort. The project also demanded close collaboration between all project partners to ensure the ventilation system integrated seamlessly with the wider mechanical services throughout the development. The Solution Versatile supplied the Zehnder ComfoPost, an air-to-water heat exchanger designed for use with Zehnder ComfoWell air distribution systems. Available in a range of sizes, the ComfoPost is suitable for airflows of up to 166 l/s (600 m³/h) and features a durable, maintenance-free steel construction with aluminium and copper pipe heating and cooling coils. The system delivered the high heat recovery efficiency required to significantly reduce heating demand while satisfying the project’s Passive House energy targets. Its low-noise operation addressed the stringent acoustic requirements of the residential development, ensuring a comfortable living environment for occupants. Working collaboratively with the project team, Versatile provided technical expertise and support throughout the delivery process, contributing to a smooth installation and successful project outcome. Outcome The completed MVHR solution successfully met and exceeded the project’s energy performance objectives, helping to deliver a sustainable, low-energy residential development. Andrew Treacy, Managing Director of Versatile, commented: “Heat recovery efficiency was critical in reducing the heating load required and achieving the energy performance needed to comply with Passive House requirements. It was very satisfying to achieve these goals, and we hope this project will be the first of many using this solution.” James Linehan of M&P Mechanical added: “Partnering with Versatile was a seamless experience from start to finish. Their professionalism, innovative solutions and deep expertise in heating and ventilation brought real value to the project. Thanks to their collaborative approach, attention to detail and ability to anticipate challenges, everything ran smoothly and to the highest standard.” This project further demonstrates Versatile’s commitment to delivering innovative, energy-efficient heating, cooling and ventilation solutions that combine technical excellence, sustainability and long-term performance.