MVHR

What is MVHR?

Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) is a continuous source of ventilation that extracts stale, moisture-laden air from a building and resupplies fresh, filtered air back in, resulting in a comfortable and condensation free environment all year round. MVHR meets Building Regulations for new properties under System Four of Building Regulations Part F

Why do I need MVHR?

As homes become increasingly airtight through efficiency measures such as insulation, draught-proofing and double-glazed windows, a lack of natural ventilation means that moisture created from everyday activities such as cooking, washing and even breathing remains in the home. With nowhere to go, this moisture collects on cold surfaces such as windows and outside walls and causes condensation, damp and mould growth, all of which contribute to poor indoor air quality (IAQ).

An MVHR unit is constantly ventilating a property, meaning that everyday moisture has no time to settle on surfaces as it is extracted to the outside, eliminating the risk of structural and cosmetic damage caused by condensation and mould. They are also extremely efficient, being able to recover up to 91% of heat lost through extraction and transferring it to incoming air.

  • Colleges & Universities
  • New Build Homes
  • Domestic Properties
  • Commercial Properties
  • Local Authority
  • District Heating
  • First Time Users
  • Existing Customers
  • Farms
  • Commercial units

Frequently Asked Questions

What does MVHR mean?

MVHR stands for mechanical ventilation with heat recovery. It’s a type of modern ventilation system that can be used to ventilate homes and buildings while protecting the property from heat loss. MVHR systems provide effective and efficient home ventilation without incurring significant running costs. They’re an environmentally friendly alternative to opening doors and windows to ventilate a property because they don’t force homeowners to turn up the heating to compensate for the heat lost outside the home.

MVHR systems are available in different sizes depending on how large the building you want to ventilate is and how much space you have in your property for an MVHR unit and ducts. Many new build homes are built with MVHR systems included these days, but it’s also possible to retrofit an MVHR unit to an older or existing home.

As well as allowing homeowners to manage ventilation and air temperature, MVHR systems also allow users to control humidity levels around their homes. An MVHR system is one of the simplest and most efficient ways to manage air quality throughout a building without losing heat and energy on the way. By installing an MVHR system in your home or commercial building, you could save yourself money on your energy bills while also improving comfort levels throughout the property.

How much does an MVHR system cost?

One of the biggest obstacles to installing an MVHR system in your home is the cost of installation. While MVHR systems are very efficient to run and could save you money on your energy bills in the long term, the upfront installation costs may be a lot for some homeowners. It’s important to factor in the cost of installing your MVHR system before you commit to an MVHR. If you’re struggling to finance an MVHR installation, you may be eligible for a loan to help cover the cost of your MVHR.

There are a lot of variables involved in calculating the cost of an MVHR system, which makes it hard to give an estimated cost without knowing a lot of the details of your individual circumstances. On average, the cost of installing an MVHR system in a residential home is around £6,000 to £7,000.

Some of the factors that could affect the cost of your MVHR installation include:

  • Whether we’re retrofitting a system to an existing property or fitting a system into a new build property, which is usually easier
  • How your home is laid out and how complex the installation is
  • The size of your property or home
  • How easy your pipework is to access
  • How much rebuilding or renovation work is required after the installation
  • The energy needs of your building

In general, the cost of installing an MVHR system in your home can be broken down into design costs, component costs, and installation costs. The MVHR itself costs around £3,000 on average for a domestic unit and £10,000 for a commercial unit. As you might expect, the installation costs for large commercial properties and offices are usually significantly higher than those for residential properties.

How do I get the most out of an MVHR system?

If you’re considering installing an MVHR system in your home or commercial building, it’s important to take steps to ensure that your MVHR is as efficient as possible and serves your property’s needs well. Work with professional designers and installers to create an MVHR design that’s suited to your building’s energy needs. Having your system professionally installed also guarantees that it’s working properly and performing as it should to minimise heat loss and maximise energy efficiency.

A lot of the things that you can do to maximise the efficacy of your MVHR system happen during the design stage. For example, if you’re concerned about the noise that your MVHR system makes, this can be accounted for when you’re drawing up designs. Ask your MVHR designer to model the sound levels that your MVHR will emit and check how audible the sound is in each room. You can then add bigger silencers to the ducting system to minimise the sound levels if you need to.

It’s also important to consider the unique features of your home before you start designing your MVHR. Consider where the unit and ducting system will fit and how your home may have to be adapted to accommodate your new unit. Professional designers should take all of this into consideration when they’re drawing up your custom MVHR designs and use 3D modelling software to ensure that your MVHR unit is a perfect fit for your home no matter when it was built.

How does MVHR work?

MVHR systems work by removing stale, moist air from damp rooms like kitchens and bathrooms. The heat is removed from this air before being supplied back into the property alongside fresh, filtered air. MVHR systems are efficient because they extract the heat from rooms in your home that naturally generate more heat – for example, the bathroom often generates heat when you run a hot bath or a hot shower, and the kitchen generates additional heat every time you use the oven or the hob. This heat can then be distributed throughout your home using an MVHR system.

Because they provide constant ventilation in damp areas throughout your home or commercial property, they prevent moisture in the air from settling on surfaces and causing damage. This means that MVHR systems are effective in preventing common problems caused by excess moisture such as condensation buildup and mould growth. When your MVHR system detects a change in air humidity levels, it will automatically boost operation to bring the humidity down to target levels.

MVHR systems can eliminate a number of problems around the home including condensation and mould as well as more serious structural issues that dampness can cause. They also significantly improve the quality of air around your home because they extract dampness and pollutants in the air and supply your home with fresh air constantly. MVHR systems are energy efficient and easy to run, only requiring a brief filter change once every 6 to 12 months.

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