What if the secret to feeling better at home… was the air you couldn’t see?
In this eye-opening episode of Dialogue with Bath Affair, host Ar. Aanchal Kishore Gupta, Director at Bath Affair, sits down with Mr. Husain Quettawalla (Executive Director) and Mr. Utpal Mishra (Director – Sales & Marketing) from Stiebel Eltron India to unpack one of the most timely, overlooked, and essential shifts in modern home design: Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV).
Filmed at the newly launched Comfort Gallery at Bath Affair, this conversation moves beyond product specifications to examine the future of indoor wellness — one breath at a time.
“We Filter Our Water, Not Our Air.”
Mr. Utpal Mishra opens the conversation with a powerful comparison:
“Would you drink unfiltered water? Of course not. So why are we okay breathing unfiltered air—every second of every day?”
Most Indian homes are fully sealed — with windows kept shut to block noise, dust, and pollution. The result? Indoor air becomes stale, humid, CO₂-rich, and energy-draining. The health symptoms are familiar — fatigue, headaches, respiratory discomfort — but the real issue is harder to detect.
Enter Heat Recovery Ventilation — a system designed to continuously circulate fresh, filtered air while preserving room temperature and improving indoor quality of life.
What Exactly Is HRV?
Mr. Husain Quettawalla explains it clearly:
“HRV replaces stale indoor air with filtered fresh air — all while retaining up to 93% of your room’s original temperature.”
That means:
- Your AC or heating isn’t wasted
- Fresh air flows in without opening windows
- CO₂ levels and humidity are balanced
- You feel fresher, sharper, and more energized throughout the day
It’s why HRV is already mandatory in homes across Europe, where insulation is high and fresh air is hard to come by. And it’s why the technology is gaining momentum in India — especially in urban, pollution-prone cities.
Why Ventilation Matters More Than You Think
The benefits of ventilation go far beyond coughs and colds.
“Why can you hike for hours in the hills without tiring? Because of the air,” says Mr. Mishra.
“Why does a sealed gym feel suffocating within minutes? Same reason.”
Whether you’re working, exercising, sleeping, or simply trying to focus — poor indoor air impacts everything from mental clarity to physical endurance. HRV doesn’t just cool or clean the air — it makes your space feel alive.
Mr. Quettawalla adds, “This is about long-term vitality. Energy. Presence. That’s the kind of comfort we need to start designing for.”
HRV vs. Air Purifiers & ACs: The Crucial Difference
Many homeowners assume that an air purifier is enough. But as both leaders point out:
- Air purifiers filter, but don’t replace stale air
- Air conditioners manage temperature, not oxygen or air quality
- HRV systems do both — they exchange air, retain energy, and improve wellness
“It’s not an add-on. It’s the new foundation,” says Mr. Quettawalla.
Where Can HRV Be Used? Pretty Much Everywhere.
One of the most compelling takeaways from this episode is that HRV is not just for luxury homes or apartments. In fact, it’s even more essential in:
- Schools & Kindergartens
- Gyms & Wellness Studios
- Office Buildings & Commercial Spaces
- Malls, Clinics, and Urban Retail
- Any insulated or closed indoor environment
“Every activity needs air — especially when you move, focus, or think. If you’re indoors, you need ventilation,” says Mr. Mishra.
Building Healthier Buildings — Inside and Out
Mr. Quettawalla touches on something few think about: building health.
Poor ventilation doesn’t just affect people — it impacts walls, paint, expensive fabrics, bags, and even electronics.
“Go on vacation for 10 days and come back — your room feels musty. That’s bad ventilation. And over time, it takes a toll.”
That’s why HRV is standard in many global building codes. And in India, it’s quickly becoming a sustainability must-have — both for energy savings and long-term health.
Bath Affair × Stiebel Eltron: A Shared Mission
With the launch of the Comfort Gallery, Bath Affair and Stiebel Eltron are setting a new benchmark for experiential design.
“Clients don’t want brochures. They want to feel the difference,” says Ar. Aanchal Kishore Gupta. “When someone breathes better in a space, their decision changes from ‘Do I want it?’ to ‘Why didn’t I have this already?’”
From curated displays to hands-on tech demos, the Comfort Gallery is where awareness begins — and comfort becomes tangible.
Final Thoughts: Switzerland Inside Your Living Room
Mr. Mishra sums it up with a simple insight:
“Why do we feel our best in Switzerland or the hills? It’s the air. Now imagine bringing that quality into your home.”
This episode is a reminder that comfort doesn’t always look like a product — sometimes, it’s what you don’t see: fresh air, balanced humidity, and energy that stays where it belongs.
With the leadership of Mr. Quettawalla and Mr. Mishra, and Bath Affair’s experiential platform, India’s ventilation story is just beginning — and it’s breathing new life into the future of design.
🎥 Watch the Full Episode:
Dialogue with Bath Affair ft. Mr. Husain Quettawalla & Mr. Utpal Mishra
