Mitsubishi Electric Air Conditioning / Heat Pumps - Lossnay

The stale air found within your home is also known as Return Air (RA). This air can carry unhealthy levels of CO₂, and is a common problem in airtight buildings. However, Return Air also contains energy that can be put to good use and shouldn't be wasted - which is often the case with common ventilation systems.

As the stale Return Air is removed, Lossnay's heat exchanger 'recovers' the useful energy within it. The remaining air is then exhausted (EA) outside along with other unwanted pollutants.

Next, Outdoor Air (OA) is introduced from outside to provide the freshest, cleanest air available. It is filtered, then passed through the Lossnay core - this allows it be pre-heated in winter (or precooled in summer) using the energy recovered from the Return Air.

Supply Air (SA) then enters your house as fresh, dry and mostly warm (or mostly cool) air.

2. What differentiates Lossnay from HRV^TM and DVS^®?

HRV^TM and DVS^® systems are Forced Air Ventilation systems

These systems force air into the home from the attic or via an outside grille. Because the air has been forced in, it leaks out through gaps in the building. And if that air was heated, you don't just pay to heat lost air but also the continuous reheating of new incoming air.

What's more, as newer homes are built to seal in the heat, they no longer have air gaps to allow effective operation of this type of system.

The Lossnay system provides a Balanced Ventilation system

Lossnay's 'balanced' ventilation removes stale air and replaces it with clean, fresh air at the same rate. But because it recovers heat energy from the stale indoor air, the need for additional heating is reduced. Which of course, means so is your heating bill! This perfect balance works for any house type.

3. Does it require additional space heating?

Yes, however a traditional Forced Air Ventilation system provides the air from the ceiling space that in winter can be very cold, to combat this an electric heater can be installed to provide warm air. The cost of operating this electric heater can be un-economical if operating for a long period of time. An external heat source is also recommended and the Heat source should be installed to heat both the space and the incoming air.

The Lossnay Energy Recovery system uses the heat that is already provided in the room to pre-heat the cold outside air. We recommend you have a Mitsubishi Electric Heat pump or space heater installed. Most Lossnay installation experts also install Heat pumps and can offer a package for both systems.

To give you an example of the difference of the Lossnay heat recovery system, this diagram shows the outdoor temperature at 7°C and the Indoor air at 20°C. By using the Lossnay heat exchanger the air supplied to the room is approx 14.5°C. The heating appliance only has to heat the supplied air by approx 5.5°C where forced air ventilation would require to heat the air by 13°C, thus saving both energy and money.

Energy recovered in winter

4. Does it work in summer?

Yes. Operation of the Lossnay during Summer provides fresh filtered air to the home. Because we spend much of our lives away from the house in summer when we return the home is clean and fresh. No longer do you have to return to the stale air of a locked up house. The energy recovery also works in Summer for example if the outdoor air is 24°C and the indoor air is 20°C, the air provided to the house would be a fresh clean 21.7°C.

Energy recovered in summer

5. Does the importation of fresh air lower CO₂ levels?

Yes. CO₂ is produced naturally in your home and is more commonly a subject in Schools where a high level of CO₂ can reduce the effect of learning. The Lossnay system increases the levels of Oxygen and reduced CO₂ by removing the stale air from the home that commonly contains high levels of CO₂ and moisture.

6. What size system do I need?

Designed for New Zealand conditions, the Lossnay system comes in one size, so choosing the correct system is simple! The Lossnay system has three fan speeds allowing the system to be suited to your specific home ventilation requirements. Most commonly the Low or Medium fan speed is used but this would depend on the size of the home or the system design.

The minimum air changes in a home is only 0.35m³ per hour but as this is a absolute minimum we have calculated the sizing guide using the British Standard at 0.5m³ per hour as per the chart below. Most New Zealand homes would be between 100 and 200m² and have the fan speed set to Low.

Lossnay Sizing Guide
House Size m²	Ceiling Height	House Air Volume m³	NZS4303 m³/hr	BS Std m³/hr	Fan Speed
100	2.4	240	84	120	Low
150	2.4	360	126	180	Low
200	2.4	480	168	240	Low/Medium
250	2.4	600	210	300	Medium
300	2.4	720	252	360	Medium
350	2.4	840	294	420	Medium/High
400	2.4	960	336	480	High
House sizing guide is based on: British Standard (BS Std) for ventilation requiring 0.5 Air Changes Per Hour. New Zealand Standard (NZS4303) is 0.35 Air Changes Per Hour.

7. What size roof access (man-hole) do I need?

The system was designed with access to man-holes in mind. Part of the system is removable to make access easier. When the maintenance cover is removed the unit size is 391mm high x 544mm wide. This will fit into most man-holes without any problem. smaller man-holes may need the Scotia removed or even a larger man-hole made. If you are unsure please contact an installer.

8. How quiet is it?

The Lossnay is super quiet! The Lossnay is situated in the ceiling of your home so the actual unit in most cases is not heard at all. The sound level from the ceiling vents is determined by the fan speed and number of ventilation outlets. The sound level at the unit is as quiet as 26dB (measured at 1.5m from unit)

9. What is the maximum number of vents off one system?

The number of outlets depends on the installation, but the number of outlets is not restricted as the fan speed can be adjusted to suit most applications. For more information please ask your installer.

10. The advantages of a paper core over a metal/plastic core?

Not all energy recovery systems are created equal. Mitsubishi Electric have many different types of energy exchanger cores available to use in their systems. We have spent much time testing the Lossnay Residential unit in New Zealand before choosing the specially treated paper core. The paper core is unique product that has been tested and refined for over 30 years. We have chosen this core to provide a healthier environment for New Zealand living.

Two technical aspects were used when choosing the type of core more suited for New Zealand homes.

Would the home be maintained to a healthy humidity and operate in most outdoor temperatures found throughout New Zealand.

Would the core also provide energy efficient benefits for the home.

Humidity and Moisture Control

Most purchases for a home ventilation system is to remove the moisture from the home. If we introduce the outside air that is high in moisture or humidity the moisture level may increase in the home. The treated paper core removes the stale air from the home but also as the core is made of a permeable material it also removes the moisture from the incoming air and forces it outside.

Energy Efficiency and Energy Transfer

The specially treated partition plates have unique energy transfer properties as it is the only core that can transfer the energy in the temperature and humidity thus providing total heat exchange. (This is known in technical terms as sensible heat and latent heat exchange)

In summary the specially treated paper core was chosen as it separates inlet and exhaust air supplies, ensuring that only fresh air is introduced to the indoor environment. The superior heat-transfer and moisture permeability of the specially treated paper ensures highly efficient total heat exchange (temperature and humidity) when inlet and exhaust air supplies cross in the Lossnay core.

HRV^TM, DVS^® and other forced air systems, either do not use energy recovery technology or use a paper core!