Creating a healthy home
Paul Williams, Product Manager at Domus Ventilation, highlights six benefits of residential MVHR systems.
All homes, old and new, need effective ventilation to maintain a healthy and comfortable living environment. As our awareness of indoor air quality (IAQ) grows - and with it our understanding of the health risks posed by poor ventilation - it has never been more important to ensure that homes are not only adequately ventilated, but well ventilated.
Latest changes to Building Regulations Part F (Ventilation) have increased minimum airflow requirements by 46–48% across all property sizes. For developers, contractors, and specifiers, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity: how to meet compliance while also enhancing occupant comfort and energy performance. Among the available options, Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) stands out as a complete solution that goes beyond compliance to deliver tangible, long-term benefits.
Meeting the needs of modern homes
The homes we build today are more airtight than ever before. This is essential for energy efficiency and to meet sustainability targets, but it comes with a trade-off: without carefully designed ventilation, these homes can trap pollutants, humidity, and stale air inside. Opening windows can help, but this undermines energy efficiency and is often impractical in winter or in areas with high external noise, pollution, or safety concerns.
This is where MVHR comes into its own. By continuously supplying fresh, filtered air while recovering warmth from outgoing air, MVHR delivers both comfort and efficiency without compromise. It is ideally suited to new builds, where ducting and system design can be integrated into the planning stage. Here we look at the six key benefits MVHR systems can bring to bear.
- Superior IAQ
The most immediate and visible benefit of MVHR is healthier air. The system continuously extracts stale, moisture-laden air from kitchens, bathrooms, and utility rooms while simultaneously supplying fresh, filtered air into living spaces and bedrooms. Unlike extract-only solutions, MVHR provides balanced, whole-house ventilation that ensures every room benefits.
By filtering incoming air, MVHR helps reduce allergens, fine particles, and other airborne pollutants, making it particularly valuable in urban environments or for occupants with respiratory issues. The result is a healthier indoor environment - an increasingly important consideration for homeowners and tenants who are more aware than ever of the impact of IAQ on wellbeing.
- Energy efficiency and heat recovery
Energy efficiency is a key driver in modern housing design, and MVHR is an important contributor. The technology captures waste heat from extracted air and transfers it to the incoming fresh air via a heat exchanger. In doing so, it significantly reduces the demand on a home’s heating system.
For occupants, this means lower energy bills and greater comfort. For developers, it represents a straightforward way to meet sustainability targets and demonstrate commitment to energy-efficient design. Modern systems, such as Domus Ventilation’s HRXE range, are A+ energy rated, with exceptionally low Specific Fan Power (SFP) and high heat exchange efficiency. They also provide intelligent control options, enabling performance to be optimised for each property type. In practice, this means MVHR can contribute to lowering overall carbon emissions from residential developments, aligning with the industry’s Net Zero ambitions.
- Quiet comfort
Noise is a common concern for residents, yet a properly designed and installed MVHR system is virtually silent in operation. Modern systems can readily meet and improve upon the Approved Document F 30dB LAeq,T requirement for noise-sensitive rooms (e.g., bedrooms and living rooms).
Additional options, such as anti-vibration trays and inline sound attenuators, are available to further minimise background noise. The result is year-round comfort with a constant supply of fresh air, all without disruption.
- Design flexibility for developers
One misconception is that MVHR ducting requires excessive space. In reality, with proper planning at the design stage, duct runs can be accommodated without issue. Both traditional branch-based systems and radial semi-rigid ducting systems are available. Radial systems are particularly useful where space is tight, as they allow each room vent to be served by single or twin duct runs directly connected to the distribution system.
Thermal duct insulation ensures thermal performance is maintained when ducting passes through unheated areas such as lofts. This makes it straightforward to achieve regulatory compliance while optimising energy efficiency. By engaging with MVHR specialists early in the design process, developers can ensure smooth installation, reduce costs, and avoid the need for compromises later in the build.
- Low maintenance, long lifespan
Another key benefit of MVHR is its low maintenance requirements. Unlike other building services, which can require frequent checks or servicing, MVHR units typically only need their filters replaced once a year. In the case of Domus HRXE systems, this process is quick and user-friendly thanks to front-access filter panels designed with homeowners in mind.
With minimal intervention required, occupants enjoy peace of mind and long-term reliability, while developers can be confident in delivering a robust and dependable ventilation solution.
- Adding value to homes
For developers, MVHR is more than just a compliance tool - it’s a feature that enhances a property’s marketability. Buyers and tenants are increasingly seeking homes that are energy efficient, sustainable, and healthy to live in. A well-designed MVHR system ticks all of these boxes.
By investing in MVHR, developers are future-proofing their projects, ensuring homes are not only compliant with current Building Regulations but also aligned with the higher performance standards likely to come in the years ahead. For occupants, the benefits - lower energy bills, improved health, and year-round comfort - are immediate and long-lasting.
Conclusion
As the building industry adapts to stricter regulations, tighter energy targets, and rising consumer expectations, MVHR offers a powerful solution. It improves IAQ, reduces energy demand, operates quietly, and requires minimal maintenance - all while adding value for both developers and homeowners.
For HVAC professionals, contractors, and developers, embracing MVHR is an opportunity to deliver better living environments while meeting the challenges of tomorrow’s housing standards head-on.
