MVHR - Heat Recovery Ventilation

Heat Recovery Ventilation (MVHR) systems are considered the most energy efficient method of ventilating an airtight dwelling and are designed to recover up to 92% of heat from the extracted air.

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MVHR helps provide a draught-free living environment whilst supplying clean, fresh, indoor air

Constant Clean, Fresh, Filtered Air

Fresh air is brought in from outside and filtered before being dispersed throughout the building.

Energy Efficient

Up to 92% of heat is recovered from the extracted air to warm the incoming air, which reduces fuel costs.

Reduced Asthma & Allergy Symptoms

Improved indoor air quality throughout buildings provides relief for asthma and allergy sufferers.

What is MVHR?

MVHR stands for Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery, which is also known as Heat Recovery Ventilation. It is a ventilation system designed to improve indoor air quality by constantly supplying fresh, filtered, warmed air into habitable rooms and simultaneously extracting stale, moist air from wetrooms.

What are the components of MVHR?

An MVHR system consists of three main components:

A low energy ventilation unit located in the utility/plant room/roofspace
A network of high quality insulated rigid ductwork
Discreet supply and extract ceiling valves in each habitable room

How does MVHR work?

Fresh air is continuously drawn into the home via a low energy heat recovery ventilation unit, located in the utility/roofspace area of the home. The ventilation unit filters the incoming air to remove pollutants and insects. Once passed through the heat exchanger within the ventilation power unit, the warmed, clean, fresh filtered air is distributed around the home through a series of ducts which are run to each habitable room i.e. living rooms, bedrooms etc. Moist, stale, warm air from wetrooms (such as bathrooms, kitchens, wc’s, utility areas) is continuously extracted and filtered back through the ventilation unit. The heat from the extracted air is transferred to the fresh incoming air via the heat exchanger.

Bespoke MVHR Systems designed for your property

Our experienced technical team can advise on the best MVHR system to create a healthier indoor environment in your property.

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10 reasons why an MVHR System will benefit your health & home:

Enjoy benefits to your health and your property with a BEAM Heat Recovery Ventilation System.

Constant clean, warmed, fresh filtered air throughout reduces symptoms for asthma and allergy sufferers
Contributes to the energy efficiency of the home
Reduces / eliminates surface condensation
Improves indoor air quality throughout
Enhances heat distribution
Eliminates mould & mildew
Removes musty odours
No need for window trickle vents or extractor fans
Quiet in operation
Aids radon dispersion

Outline of house with energy efficiency ratings and MVHR extract valve in bathroom

MVHR Product Range

BEAM are proud to offer a range of market leading MVHR units. Our range of Axco Counterflow MVHR units are manufactured in the UK to the highest standards, with extremely low power consumption and a highly efficient heat exchange. The Axco Heru ventilation units are designed and built in Sweden with exclusive award-winning rotating heat exchanger technology which offers many practical advantages. All Beam Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems have been independently tested at the Building Research Establishment (BRE).

Axco Counterflow Heat Recovery Ventilation

Specific Fan Power from 0.38wls-1
Up to 92% efficiency
Temperature controlled summer bypass

Product Range

Axco Heru Rotary Wheel Heat Recovery Ventilation

Aluminium rotating heat exchanger
Pollen grade F7 filters
Wireless intelligent IQ control system

Product Range

Single Room Heat Recovery Ventilation

Decentralised unit
Allows varying ventilation rates in rooms
Ideal for projects where a whole-house system isn't practical

Product Range

MVHR Ducting & Ceiling Valves

Ducting System

One of the most important aspects of a well planned, low energy highly efficient MVHR system is the ducting type, design and the quality of installation.

Careful consideration to the design and choice of installation materials ensures your MVHR system delivers the correct ventilation rate and energy efficiency to your home. We only use precision engineered metal and plastic ducting, fitting and silencers mechanically fastened and sealed at every joint for air-tightness.

The use of rigid, large diameter ducting is industry best practice providing a smooth flow of air with the least resistance, causing less noise (from both fans and air turbulence) and costing less to run. We will install your MVHR system with smoothflow rigid ducting throughout, providing better heat efficiency, lower energy use and a quieter system. Solid ducting is also resistant to crush damage during construction and thereafter can be cleaned and maintained if required.

A minimum of 25mm aluminium foil backed wool insulation to ducting in a cold space is essential to retain high heat efficiency and avoid condensation forming in the ductwork.

Best practice installation is to use larger 125mm diameter branch lines and up to 250mm diameter main lines, which can carry the necessary high volumes of air at low velocity and resistance (depending on size of system).

Learn more about the importance of MVHR ducting.

Ceiling Valves

Visible in every habitable room, it's important that the supply and extract air ceiling valves are of high quality. Our modern Supply & Extract Valves are manufactured in high quality steel and are designed to not produce down draft, ensuring a comfortable indoor climate.

We have a range of supply and extract air ceiling valves in various sizes, including (but not limited to): 100mm, 125mm, 150mm, 200mm.

We also offer a range of cost-effective fire-rated ceiling valves which meet the requirements of fire safety building regulations as set out in Technical Booklet E (NI) and Technical Document B (ROI). Available in 125mm and 150mm options.

MVHR components insulated ducting system

Beam heru mvhr unit and ducting installed

MVHR ceiling valve in bathroom above shower

BEAM engineer wrapping MVHR ducting in insulation

MVHR insulated ducting installed in cold space

MVHR c range unit installed in plant room

MVHR Design & Installation

All BEAM MVHR systems are designed by an experienced technical team and installed by BEAM engineers or our nationwide distributors/installers.

MVHR installation available throughout Northern Ireland and Ireland

It is vital that an MVHR system is installed and commissioned correctly in accordance with the strict guidelines set out in Part K (NI) and Part F (ROI) of the building regulations.

Should you decide to install an MVHR system from BEAM on a DIY basis, we provide design layout, commissioning and support throughout the installation.

When to install an MVHR System

MVHR Customer Success Stories

Explore how BEAM MVHR Systems have been specifically designed to help improve indoor air quality in homes and businesses throughout Ireland and the UK.

How much does a BEAM MVHR system cost?

Each MVHR system is individually designed to suit the house and occupants. The cost will be affected by factors such as the number of rooms needing air extraction or distribution and the size of the house itself. These will determine the size of the actual ventilation unit you'll need. Here are some typical guide prices: