Whole-house MVHR
Whole-house MVHR | Ventilation and Air Quality | Heating and Air Conditioning | Harrogate
Imagine stepping through your Harrogate front door to find every room already set to the perfect temperature, filled with fresh, filtered air that feels like an open-window breeze—without the heat loss or pollen. HEP’s whole-house MVHR system silently extracts stale, humid air and recovers up to 95 % of its warmth, then delivers pre-warmed, contaminant-free air back into your living spaces. The result is year-round comfort, lower energy bills, and a home that’s kinder to both your lungs and the planet.
Our engineers design each installation around your property’s unique footprint, integrating discreet ductwork with high-efficiency heat pumps and smart controls that you can manage from your phone. Whether you’re renovating a Victorian townhouse or building a modern eco-retreat, we’ll help you meet the strictest standards for ventilation and air quality while keeping your home whisper-quiet and effortlessly cosy.
FAQs
What exactly is MVHR and how does it work in a whole-house setup?
MVHR stands for Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery. A central fan unit continuously extracts stale, humid air from kitchens, bathrooms and utility areas while simultaneously supplying filtered fresh air to living spaces and bedrooms. Inside the MVHR unit a high-efficiency heat exchanger transfers up to 90–95 % of the heat from the outgoing air to the incoming air, so you enjoy a constant flow of fresh air without losing valuable warmth. Ductwork hidden in ceilings, floors or loft voids distributes the air evenly throughout the entire property, giving balanced, draught-free ventilation all year round.
How does an MVHR system improve indoor air quality for homes in Harrogate?
Harrogate’s mix of traffic emissions in town and high levels of tree and grass pollen in spring and summer can make indoor air feel stuffy or trigger allergies. An MVHR unit draws air through fine filters (typically F7 or higher), removing particulate matter, pollen and many pollutants before the air enters your rooms. At the same time, the continuous extraction of moist air keeps relative humidity in the healthy 40–60 % range, cutting the risk of condensation, mould and dust-mite growth. The result is fresher, cleaner air 24/7 without the need to open windows onto busy roads or damp winter weather.
Will MVHR cover heating and cooling, or do I still need separate systems?
MVHR is primarily a ventilation and heat-recovery technology. In a well-insulated, airtight home it can offset most ventilation heat losses and keep temperatures more stable, but it is not a full space-heating or air-conditioning unit on its own. Many Harrogate clients pair MVHR with low-temperature heating such as underfloor heating, air-source heat pumps or efficient gas boilers. Optional summer-bypass and post-cooling coils can temper incoming air during hot spells, but for sustained cooling loads you would add a dedicated air-conditioning or heat-pump system.
How energy-efficient is MVHR compared with natural or extract-only ventilation?
Traditional trickle vents and bathroom extract fans throw away all of the heated indoor air, meaning your boiler or heat pump must replace that lost heat. By recovering up to 95 % of the heat in the extracted air, an MVHR unit can cut ventilation-related heating losses by 25–40 %. Because the fans run on efficient EC motors, typical electrical consumption is only 20–60 W—less than a low-energy light bulb. Over a heating season in Harrogate, many households see overall energy bills drop by 10–20 % while enjoying better air quality.
What routine maintenance does an MVHR system need?
1) Filters: Replace or clean the supply and extract filters every 6–12 months depending on local dust and pollen levels—quick, tool-free job in most units. 2) Heat-exchanger core: Inspect and vacuum or wash annually. 3) Condensate drain: Check the trap and pipe remain clear each year. 4) Ductwork: A professional clean every 5–7 years is usually sufficient. Regular maintenance keeps airflow balanced, preserves efficiency and protects your warranty.
Can MVHR be retrofitted to older Harrogate properties as well as new builds?
Yes. While MVHR is easiest to incorporate during new-build or major renovation work, many Victorian and mid-century homes in Harrogate have successfully been retrofitted. Key steps are: (a) improving airtightness—sealing obvious drafts, chimneys and gaps; (b) finding duct routes in loft voids, service risers, stud walls or floor joists; and (c) choosing a compact, low-profile MVHR unit sized to the property. Our surveyors perform a detailed feasibility study and provide a full design, ensuring your period features remain untouched while you benefit from modern, healthy ventilation.