The AUREN Automatic Mode is a smart operational setting for the AUREN 160 heat recovery ventilation unit. It leverages both humidity and twilight sensors to regulate air exchange independently, ensuring optimal indoor air quality without constant manual adjustments. This mode adapts fan speed and operation based on real-time environmental conditions, promoting efficiency and comfort.

The AUREN 160 Single-Room Heat Recovery Ventilation Unit, a product designed for modern British homes, offers a sophisticated solution for maintaining excellent indoor air quality. Among its various operational settings, the Automatic Mode stands out as a key feature for effortless and efficient ventilation. This mode, detailed within the unit's installation and use manual, provides a truly hands-off approach to managing your indoor environment.

Understanding Automatic Mode: A Deeper Dive

The Automatic Mode on the AUREN 160 unit is more than just a simple on/off switch; it is an intelligent system that responds dynamically to your home's needs. When you activate this mode, the unit's integrated humidity and twilight sensors become fully operational. This means the unit continually monitors the indoor environment, making real-time adjustments to ensure optimal air exchange. You activate this mode by repeatedly pressing the 'MODE (M)' button on your remote control until the corresponding 'AUTO' image appears on the display.

The Role of Sensors in Automatic Operation

• Humidity Sensor: This sensor is crucial for preventing issues such as condensation dampness and mould growth, prevalent concerns in many UK households. In Automatic Mode, the 'HUMIDITY (H)' button becomes active, allowing you to select a desired humidity threshold. The AUREN 160 offers three distinct humidity threshold options: 40%, 60%, or 90%. When the MASTER unit in your system detects that the room's humidity level exceeds the chosen threshold, the system enters a "Humidity Alarm Mode". During this alarm state, the units adjust their operation to mitigate the excess moisture. For instance, in daytime humidity alarm conditions, the units operate in extraction mode at medium speed. Conversely, if a humidity alarm is triggered during the night, the units switch to extraction mode at a quieter "night speed". It is important to remember that these thresholds are based on tests conducted in a controlled climate chamber at a constant temperature of 20°C; therefore, actual intervention thresholds may vary due to environmental and atmospheric factors.

• Twilight Sensor: Working in tandem with the humidity sensor, the twilight sensor intelligently adapts the unit's operation based on light levels, distinguishing between day and night conditions. This ensures that the ventilation system operates efficiently and quietly, especially during sleeping hours. For example, under standard humidity conditions during the day, the units run at a medium speed with heat recovery engaged. However, at night, to minimise disturbance, the units automatically switch to minimum speed while still performing heat recovery. This thoughtful integration of sensors underscores the unit's ability to provide continuous, low-energy, and ultra-quiet ventilation.

Operational Flow in Automatic Mode

When the AUREN 160 is in Automatic Mode, the units function independently, eliminating the need for constant manual intervention. The system continually evaluates the current conditions and adjusts accordingly:

• Standard Humidity (Day): The unit maintains a comfortable environment by operating at a medium speed with heat recovery activated.

• Standard Humidity (Night): To ensure a peaceful night's sleep, the unit reduces its speed to a minimum while still effectively recovering heat.

• Humidity Alarm (Day): Should humidity levels rise above the set threshold during daylight hours, the unit automatically switches to extraction mode at medium speed to quickly remove excess moisture.

• Humidity Alarm (Night): Similarly, if high humidity is detected at night, the unit will enter extraction mode, but at the quieter night speed setting.

This intelligent adaptation helps to effectively reduce indoor air pollutants and humidity levels, making the AUREN 160 an ideal solution for combating condensation dampness and mould growth.

Heat Recovery Operation in Automatic Mode

A fundamental aspect of the AUREN 160 unit is its heat recovery capability. In Automatic Mode, the unit continuously performs heat recovery, which involves a cyclical process of air extraction and intake. Specifically, this typically entails a 70-second extraction phase, followed by a 70-second intake phase, with the tilting front cover open during these cycles. This process efficiently recovers thermal energy from outgoing warm air and transfers it to incoming cold air, thereby reducing energy consumption and maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature.

However, there are scenarios where heat exchange might not be necessary or recommended. For instance, during mid-seasons when indoor and outdoor temperatures are similar, or when utilising a "summer free cooling" option, it is advisable to switch the unit to "extract-only" or "intake-only" mode rather than turning it off completely. This ensures continuous air circulation without unnecessary heat recovery, optimising energy use.

Remote Control and Master-Slave Configuration

The AUREN 160 unit is controlled via a remote, such as the AUREN Core Remote or AUREN Vision Remote. To activate Automatic Mode, you simply press the 'MODE' button repeatedly until the correct icon appears on the remote's display. The remote control itself enters a standby mode after 60 seconds of inactivity, indicated by a key icon on the display, and can be unlocked by pressing the 'S' button.

For installations involving multiple AUREN units, a Master-Slave system connection is often employed. In such a setup, only the MASTER unit receives commands from the remote control and then relays these commands to all connected SLAVE units. Furthermore, in a Master-Slave system, the humidity and twilight sensors on the MASTER unit detect values for the entire system, ensuring coordinated operation across all units. This unified control simplifies management and ensures consistent ventilation throughout the property. It's crucial to correctly set the dip switches for Master and Slave units during installation to ensure proper communication.

Benefits of Using Automatic Mode

The Automatic Mode offers several significant benefits for homeowners:

• Energy Efficiency: By intelligently adjusting operation based on sensor readings, the unit minimises energy consumption, contributing to lower utility bills. This is particularly important given rising energy costs in the UK.

• Optimal Air Quality: The continuous monitoring and adaptation ensure that stale air, pollutants, and excess humidity are effectively managed, leading to a healthier indoor environment. This helps to mitigate issues like condensation and mould, common problems in many British homes.

• Convenience: The hands-off operation means you don't need to constantly monitor or adjust the ventilation system. The unit takes care of it automatically, providing peace of mind.

• Quiet Operation: Especially during night-time, the unit automatically switches to its minimum speed, ensuring ultra-quiet performance and undisturbed sleep. The AUREN 160 is specifically designed to be ultra-quiet.

The AUREN 160 is a Class II product with an IPX4 protection rating, designed for indoor installations and capable of operating within a broad temperature range of -30°C to +50°C. This robust design ensures reliable performance in various British weather conditions.

The AUREN Automatic Mode provides an intelligent, energy-efficient, and convenient solution for maintaining superior indoor air quality in your home.