MVHR Units & Heat Recovery Systems

Our MVHR units and heat recovery systems cover the full range, from single-room heat recovery units for one bathroom or kitchen through to whole-house MVHR systems for an entire property. Choose a single room heat recovery unit for retrofits without ductwork, or a whole house MVHR system for new builds and major renovations. We stock units from Vent-Axia, Zehnder, Elta and S&P with heat recovery efficiency up to 93% and airflow rates from 32 m³/h to 900 m³/h.

Our single room heat recovery units, including the Vent-Axia Tempra and HR100R, are designed for individual rooms where local extract and supply is needed without running ductwork through the property. For whole house ventilation, our MVHR units from Vent-Axia's Sentinel Kinetic range and the Zehnder ComfoAir series provide continuous filtered fresh air to every room while recovering heat from the extracted air. We also stock positive input ventilation (PIV) units for homes where condensation and damp are the main concern.

What is MVHR?

MVHR stands for Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery. It is a whole house ventilation system that continuously extracts stale air from wet rooms (kitchens, bathrooms, utility rooms) and supplies fresh filtered air to habitable rooms (bedrooms, living areas). A heat exchanger inside the unit transfers heat from the outgoing air to the incoming air, typically recovering 70 to 93% of the heat that would otherwise be lost. This means fresh air without the heat loss of simply opening windows or running extract fans.

What is the difference between single room heat recovery and whole house MVHR?

A single room heat recovery unit is a self-contained device that fits through an external wall and provides supply and extract ventilation for one room only. It is ideal for retrofitting into existing properties where running ductwork is not practical. A whole house MVHR system is a centralised unit, usually installed in a loft, utility room or plant room, that connects to ductwork serving every room in the property. Whole house systems are more efficient overall and are the standard choice for new builds and major renovations.

What brands of MVHR do you stock?

We carry heat recovery units from Vent-Axia (including the Sentinel Kinetic, Sentinel Econiq, Integra and Tempra ranges), Zehnder (ComfoAir series), Elta (PIV ONE and SANO ranges), and S&P (OZEO whole house extract units). All are available with next day delivery on in-stock lines.

How much does it cost to run an MVHR system?

Whole house MVHR units are designed to run continuously at low power. Most domestic units consume between 20 and 60 watts in normal operation, which works out to roughly £30 to £80 per year at typical UK electricity rates. The heat recovered from the extract air offsets a significant portion of your heating costs, particularly in well-insulated or airtight properties where heat loss through ventilation is a large proportion of total heat loss.

Do I need MVHR in an existing home?

MVHR is most effective in airtight, well-insulated properties, which is why it is standard in new builds designed to current Building Regulations. In older, draughtier homes, a single room heat recovery unit or a positive input ventilation (PIV) system is usually a more practical and cost-effective choice. If you are unsure which type of system suits your property, contact our team at hello@efans.co.uk and we can advise.