Heat Transfer Guide

Simple, Effective Heat Distribution for Homes Heated by Fireplaces

Heat transfer systems move warm air from a heat source — most commonly a wood fireplace — to colder rooms such as bedrooms, studies, or hallways.

While they are becoming less common as many homeowners move away from wood-burning fires, heat transfer systems still have a strong place in Australian homes. They remain especially popular in rural and country areas, on farms and homesteads, and in homes where a wood fire provides the bulk of winter heating.

When designed properly, a heat transfer system allows you to make better use of heat you have already paid for, improving comfort throughout the home without installing additional heaters.

Heat Transfer Guide

Heat transfer systems are a simple and effective way to improve comfort in homes heated by a central heat source such as a wood fireplace. Rather than letting warm air build up in one room while bedrooms and other spaces remain cold, a heat transfer system redistributes that excess heat to where it’s needed most.

This guide explains:

  • How heat transfer systems work
  • Where heat transfer systems are best suited
  • What are the benefits of a heat transfer system
  • Why a high-quality EC motor is very important
  • DVS EC Heat Transfer Systems
  • Are heat transfer systems right for you

How Do Heat Transfer Systems Work?

Rooms with a heat source or good solar gain are naturally warmer than those without. Bedrooms and enclosed spaces often remain cold, even when the living area is comfortably warm.

A heat transfer system:

  • Collects warm air from the ceiling near a heat source
  • Transfers that heat via insulated ducting
  • Delivers it to colder rooms to even out temperatures

The goal is temperature balance, not forced heating. You are redistributing warmth that already exists, rather than creating heat from scratch.

Who Are Heat Transfer Systems Best Suited To?

Heat transfer systems are ideal if:

  • You heat primarily with a wood fireplace
  • Bedrooms are noticeably colder than living areas
  • You want quiet overnight warmth
  • You want to reduce electric heating costs

They are not a whole-home heating solution, but when paired with a fireplace, they are a simple, efficient, and proven way to improve comfort.

What Are the Benefits of a Heat Transfer System?

1. Warmer Bedrooms Without Extra Heaters

Fireplaces tend to overheat living areas while bedrooms remain cold.

A heat transfer system redistributes warmth so bedrooms and other rooms are more comfortable without installing additional heaters.

2. Lower Heating Costs

Heat transfer systems reuse excess heat from your existing fireplace or heater.

This reduces the need to run electric panel heaters, fan heaters, or split systems — saving money over winter.

3. Quiet, All-Night Operation

Heat transfer systems work best when they run continuously, including overnight.

With a high-quality EC motor, the system operates extremely quietly, making it suitable for bedrooms and light sleepers.

4. Extremely Low Running Costs

At reduced speeds, a modern EC motor uses very little electricity.

In real-world use, it can cost less than a standard LED downlight to run — even over long periods.

5. More Even Temperatures Throughout the Home

Instead of one room being too hot and others too cold, heat transfer systems help balance temperatures, improving overall comfort.

6. Gentle Air Movement Helps Reduce Moisture and Odours

By continuously moving warm air, heat transfer systems help prevent:

  • Stale air
  • Musty smells
  • Localised condensation in colder rooms

The Most Important Component: A High-Quality EC Motor

The performance of a heat transfer system is only as good as its fan. This is where EC motors make a significant difference.

Key advantages include:

Ultra-Quiet Operation

EC motors are dramatically quieter than traditional single-speed AC fans.

This is critical, as heat transfer systems commonly run while you are sleeping. A quiet system can operate all night without disturbance.

Infinitely Adjustable Speed

EC motors allow precise speed control rather than fixed on/off operation.

This means you can:

  • Fine-tune how much heat is transferred
  • Match airflow to different fireplaces and homes
  • Run the system gently when less heat is available

Every house and every heat source is different — variable speed matters.

Exceptional Energy Efficiency

At reduced speeds, EC motors consume extremely little power.

In real-world use, they can cost less to run than a standard LED downlight, even when operating for many hours.

This makes long, continuous operation practical and affordable.

Designed for Heat

Heat transfer systems deal with warm air and are often installed in roof spaces.

A quality EC motor is designed to:

  • Operate reliably at high air temperatures
  • Withstand hot roof cavities in Australian summers
  • Deliver consistent performance year after year

DVS EC Heat Transfer Systems

The DVS EC Heat Transfer System is designed to provide supplementary heating to rooms isolated from the main heat source, such as bedrooms located away from the living area. By transferring excess warm air from your fireplace or heater, it helps reduce the need for additional “paid-for” heating in other rooms, making better use of warmth you’ve already generated.

Not all heat transfer systems are equal. Airflow volume matters — particularly when destination rooms are cold.

Key performance benefits include:

  • Up to 1,015 m³/h airflow, ensuring enough warm air reaches distant rooms
  • Infinitely variable speed control, allowing precise balancing
  • Very low noise levels — as low as 39 dBA at 50% speed
  • Exceptional efficiency — around 22 W at 50% speed while still moving 650 m³/h
  • High temperature tolerance, operating up to 60 °C (rated to 80 °C when idle)

This combination allows the system to run quietly, efficiently, and continuously — exactly how heat transfer systems work best.

The DVS EC Heat Transfer System includes a custom-designed control panel featuring:

  • Temperature display
  • Thermostat-based automation
  • Fan speed adjustment
  • Simple on/off operation

The system uses multiple temperature sensors:

  • One inside the fan to measure transferred air temperature
  • One at the controller to measure room temperature

This allows the system to automatically operate only when warm air is available, ensuring efficient and sensible heat transfer.

The controller connects via standard Cat 5e cable for straightforward plug-and-play installation.

DVS EC Heat Transfer Systems are designed specifically for Australian and New Zealand climates, using premium components built to handle heat, dust, and long operating hours.

  • German-made EC centrifugal fan motors manufactured by ebm-papst
  • Designed for hot roof spaces
  • Long-life components with 5-year warranty

What sets the DVS EC Heat Transfer System apart is its design and ease of use. It is widely regarded as the most advanced heat transfer system on the Australian market, combining exceptional performance with true plug-and-play installation. The fan connects via a standard 3-pin power plug, eliminating the need for complex wiring, while the purpose-built LCD control panel connects to the fan using a CAT 5e network cable. This allows simple installation, reliable communication, and precise control over temperature, fan speed, and automated operation — delivering quiet, efficient, and highly controllable heat transfer exactly where it’s needed.

Are Heat Transfer Systems Right for You?

Heat transfer systems are best suited to homes where:

  • A wood fireplace is the primary heating source
  • Bedrooms are noticeably colder than living areas
  • Quiet overnight operation is essential
  • Energy efficiency is a priority

They are not a replacement for whole-home heating, but when used correctly, they are a simple, effective way to improve comfort and make better use of heat you already have.

The Fresh Ventilation Difference

At Fresh Ventilation, we believe everyone deserves to breathe clean, healthy air — whether at home, at work, or anywhere in between. Based in Mittagong in NSW Australia, we specialise in providing high-quality ventilation solutions that improve indoor air quality, comfort, and wellbeing.

Our Mission

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Why Ventilation Matters

Modern buildings are more airtight than ever, which is great for energy efficiency — but not so great for air quality. Without proper ventilation, pollutants, moisture, and odours build up indoors, leading to potential health issues and property damage. That’s where we come in.

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Why Choose Us
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