Stale, moist, polluted air is continuously extracted from "wet rooms" i.e. the bathrooms, WC's, utility rooms and kitchens. This extracted air is discharged to outside via the heat recovery unit.
At the same time, the fresh air from outside is drawn in, pre-tempered and filtered via the heat recovery unit and distributed in the "living areas" such as living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms.
The system runs continuously on low speed, the boost facility can be activated via various controllers and sensors depending upon the unit. The system provides a continuous supply of fresh clean air ensuring excellent indoor air quality.
If your home is built to modern airtightness standards (low air permeability), MVHR is strongly recommended to meet Building Regulations Part F (Ventilation).
No. MVHR replaces the need for trickle vents and standard extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms.
No, MVHR is a ventilation system, not a heating system. It retains heat but does not generate it. You still need a heating system.
MVHR system have no cooling facility. However, most systems have a summer bypass mode, which stops the heat recovery and brings in fresh air from the outside.
Running costs are low, typically £30–£60 per year in electricity, but savings on heating bills can offset this.
Yes, filters should be checked every 3–6 months and replaced at least once a year.
A properly designed and installed system should be quiet. Noise issues can be caused by poor design, poor installation, incorrect settings or a lack of maintenance.
We would recommend against turning the system off. MVHR systems should run continuously for effective ventilation and to comply with Building Regulations Part F.
Yes, but opening windows frequently reduces efficiency. It’s fine for short periods in mild weather.
Even with a Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) system, a cooker hood is recommended. MVHR systems continuously exchange air but may struggle to handle sudden increases in pollutants from frying or boiling. Cooking produces grease, steam, and odours that can clog MVHR filters and reduce efficiency. If a MVHR system is being fitted, the cooker hood can be ducted directly outside or a recirculating type.