Ventilation & MVHRSystems Designed ForManchester Homes & Businesses
Fresh, filtered air in every room - cuts condensation, removes pollutants and recovers up to 92% of the heat you'd otherwise lose through an open window.
Ventilation & MVHR Systems - what it is, who it's for and when you need it
What it is
Ventilation systems mechanically exchange stale indoor air for filtered fresh air. MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery) does this while reclaiming up to 92% of the heat from outgoing air - keeping your home warm without opening a window.
Who it's for
Owners of new-build and retrofitted airtight homes, anyone fighting condensation or mould, asthma and allergy sufferers, commercial sites needing to meet Part F minimum air changes, and restaurant kitchens needing odour and grease extraction.
When you need it
If your windows stream with condensation, you smell cooking 6 hours later, your bathroom takes hours to dry, or your office hits 1500+ ppm CO₂ by mid-afternoon - your building needs proper ventilation.
Why professional help matters
Modern airtight construction traps moisture, VOCs from furniture, CO₂ from breathing, and cooking pollutants. Without designed ventilation, you breathe air that's often 5–10x more polluted than outdoors - and the moisture rots your timbers from inside out.
What happens when this is ignored - and the mistakes that make it worse
If left unaddressed
- Black mould around windows, on ceilings and behind furniture - a £1,200+ remediation job per room
- Timber decay in roof voids and behind plasterboard, hidden until structural damage appears
- Asthma, allergies and poor sleep from high CO₂ and indoor pollutant levels
- Failed Part F inspections on new builds and extensions, blocking sign-off
Common mistakes to avoid
- Relying on trickle vents alone - they deliver under 30% of required air changes in modern homes
- Fitting bathroom and kitchen extract fans without makeup air paths - they short-circuit and barely work
- Buying the cheapest MVHR unit without commissioning - uncalibrated systems waste energy and underperform
- Ignoring duct cleaning every 5 years - fouled ducts halve flow rates and circulate dust
A clear 5-step system - no surprises, no guesswork
- Step 1
Air Quality & Site Survey
We measure CO₂, humidity and air-change rates room by room, and inspect for moisture damage and existing ductwork.
- Step 2
System Design
Bespoke duct layout drawn to BPEC standards, MVHR or commercial unit sized to your building, fan curves modelled to your duct runs.
- Step 3
Installation
Rigid metal or semi-rigid ducting installed with minimum bends, terminals fitted, control panel sited for easy access. Typically 3–6 days for a domestic MVHR.
- Step 4
Commissioning & Balancing
Each room flow rate measured and adjusted to design spec, filters seated, controls programmed and a commissioning certificate issued.
- Step 5
Handover & Annual Filter Plan
User training, manual, manufacturer warranty registration and a filter-change reminder service to keep performance at design spec.
The specific outcomes you can expect
Eliminate condensation
Continuous extraction at the source stops moisture from reaching cold surfaces - no more streaming windows.
Up to 92% heat recovery
MVHR recovers heat from outgoing stale air and transfers it to incoming fresh air via a thermal exchanger.
Filtered fresh air
G4 and F7 filters remove pollen, dust and city particulates before air enters your home.
Quieter than open windows
Designed installs run at 23–28 dB - inaudible and far quieter than traffic noise from open windows.
Lower heating bills
Heat recovery typically saves £150–£400 per year vs natural ventilation in a 3-bed home.
Building Regs compliance
Designed to Part F and System 4 standards - passes inspections first time, every time.
Every variation of ventilation & mvhr systems we deliver
We design and install the full range of ventilation systems for Manchester properties:
MVHR (System 4)
Whole-house balanced ventilation with heat recovery. The gold standard for airtight new builds and deep retrofits. 92%+ heat recovery.
MEV (System 3)
Centralised continuous extract, with fresh air entering via trickle vents. A cost-effective compliance solution for typical new builds.
PIV (positive input ventilation)
Loft-mounted units pushing filtered air into the property at low velocity - the standard retrofit for solving condensation in existing homes.
Local extract - kitchen & bathroom
High-spec, low-noise extract fans for individual rooms with humidity sensors and timed run-on.
Commercial ventilation
AHU systems for offices, gyms, dental practices and food prep - designed to CIBSE standards with heat recovery and zone control.
Kitchen extract canopies
Stainless canopies, grease filters, make-up air and roof terminations for restaurants and dark kitchens - Gas Safe and DW172 compliant.
Answers to the questions Manchester customers ask most
How much does an MVHR system cost in Manchester?+
Domestic MVHR for a 3-bed home typically costs £4,800–£7,500 fully installed and commissioned. Commercial systems are quoted per design.
Will MVHR replace my heating?+
No - MVHR provides fresh air with heat recovery. It reduces your heating load significantly but you still need a primary heat source.
How often do filters need changing?+
G4 filters every 6 months, F7 filters every 12 months. We offer a reminder service and discounted filter packs.
Can MVHR be retrofitted to an older house?+
Yes, where ceiling voids or accessible loft space exist. PIV is often a better retrofit choice for older, leakier homes.
Is the system noisy?+
A well-designed system runs at 23–28 dB - quieter than a fridge. Cheap installs with sharp duct bends cause noise; ours don't.
Will it solve my mould problem?+
In most cases yes - PIV or MVHR will eliminate condensation mould within 2–6 weeks of commissioning, provided existing mould is treated.
Do you handle Building Regulations sign-off?+
Yes. We provide commissioning certificates and supporting documentation accepted by every Building Control body in the North West.
Do you service ventilation systems you didn't install?+
Yes. We service, recommission and repair MVHR, MEV and commercial AHUs of any age or brand.
Often paired with ventilation & mvhr systems
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Planned servicing that keeps systems efficient, compliant and reliable.
Learn moreDomestic & Commercial
One trusted team for homes, offices, retail and industrial sites.
Learn moreGet a fixed-price quote for ventilation & mvhr systems in Manchester - within 48 hours
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