Maintaining a healthy home environment is more than just cleaning and tidying—it’s about ensuring the air we breathe is fresh, clean, and free from dirt as much as possible.
Ventilation plays a crucial part in managing indoor air quality and is especially important in todays’ modern homes as well as existing ones that are being updated to help improve energy efficiency.
MVHR is one type of innovative ventilation system perfect for homes. Designed to improve air quality while maximising energy efficiency, MVHR is a game-changer, helping provide good indoor air quality whilst reducing heating bills at the same time.
Let’s explore what it is, how it operates, it’s benefits and why it’s an excellent choice for your home.
What is MVHR?
MVHR is a whole house ventilation system that continuously supplies fresh, filtered air to your home while efficiently removing stale air. But it doesn’t stop there—as it moves air around the home, this innovative system also recovers and reuses heat from the outgoing air, ensuring energy isn’t wasted. By doing so, MVHR not only creates a healthier living space but also reduces energy costs, making it an eco-friendly solution for homeowners.
It is estimated that in a new build 2-bedroom flat, a MVHR system is reducing a heating bill by approximately £300.00 per annum.
How Does MVHR Work?
MVHR works through balanced Extraction and Supply to the whole property. It runs continuously at a low level and then boosts when required (usually from humidity sensing when showing or cooking). A MVHR Unit is connected to a series of ducting and in each room an air valve supplies (habitable) or extracts (wet rooms).
The MVHR system extracts stale air from rooms like kitchens and bathrooms, where humidity and pollutants are most common. Simultaneously, it delivers fresh, filtered air to living spaces, such as bedrooms and living rooms.
At the heart of the system is a heat exchanger, which transfers heat from the outgoing (extract) air to the incoming (supply) air. This process helps minimise heat loss, tempering the new fresh incoming air. In terms of humidity control, by balancing humidity levels, MVHR systems help prevent condensation and mould growth, protecting your home and your health.
In the summer when outdoor air is warm, the heat recovery mode is not required. Most units have a ‘summer bypass mode’ that automatically turns on based on outdoor temperature. The system continues to work as normal – extracting and supplying filtered air – to ensure good indoor air quality and air movement, contributing to a ‘cooling effect’.
What are the benefits?
The benefits of a MVHR system ensure a healthy indoor environment all year round:
Indoor Air Quality: Continuous extraction and supply of fresh filtered air – helping remove particles in the air.
No Mould and Condensation: Removes moisture in the air from cooking, showing, breathing, hanging clothes to dry and more. Did you know a family of 4 can create as many as 24 pints of moisture per day inside the home!
Eco Friendly: Recovers and re-uses heat from your home. Ventilation is a fine balance between managing heat loss and the indoor environment. A MVHR system reuses the heat from extracted air to temper the supply air – reach for your thermostat and turn it down a couple of points!
Comfort: A system that manages humidity and keeps the air moving will ensure the indoor environment does not feel stuffy and adds a ‘cooling effect’. We can’t see air, but we can feel the impacts of poor indoor air quality and high humidity!
Is MVHR Suitable for all homes?
MVHR is a ducted ventilation system where a unit is connected to ducting and each room in the property. MVHR is suitable for both new build and retrofit projects, where ducting can be run in loft spaces or voids.
Is MVHR for you?
In today’s world, where energy efficiency and health are top priorities, an MVHR system is a must-have for modern homes. It’s more than just a ventilation system—it’s an investment in comfort, sustainability, and long-term well-being.
Whether you’re building a new home or upgrading an existing one, consider integrating MVHR for a healthier, more energy-efficient future. Our sister company may be able to help – check them out and see how they can find what the best system is for you
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