MVHR Systems in Herefordshire

Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery for airtight homes and Passivhaus projects

MVHR for Airtight Homes

HES designs and installs Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery systems across Herefordshire and neighbouring counties. MVHR delivers a continuous supply of filtered fresh air while recovering seventy to ninety-five per cent of the heat from stale extract air, cutting heating bills in airtight homes. Prices typically run from £5,000 to £15,000 depending on property size and duct routing. Systems help meet UK Building Regulations Part F and suit new builds, Passivhaus projects, and deep retrofits.

As homes get better insulated and more airtight, they need proper ventilation as much as they need heating. Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery is what makes that possible: a system that supplies constant filtered fresh air to bedrooms and living rooms while extracting stale air from kitchens, bathrooms, and utility rooms, and recovering the warmth from it before it leaves the building.

A well-designed MVHR system recovers between 70 and 95 per cent of the heat in the extract air, which noticeably reduces the load on the heating system in an airtight home. Combined with a heat pump the running costs stay low year-round, and Building Regulations Part F compliance is handled by design rather than by cutting extra vents into walls.

The real work in MVHR is the design: unit sizing, duct routing, air flow balancing, and commissioning. We survey the property, design the duct routes to fit around your build, install to the standards that keep filters and air paths clean, and commission with the flow measurements you need on paper. Filters and controls are chosen so you can maintain the system without needing a specialist every year.

Whether you are building a new home, extending, retrofitting an older property to a much tighter envelope, or specifying a Passivhaus, HES has installed MVHR systems that keep condensation down, allergens filtered, and heating bills lower. We are happy to come to site early in the design process so the ducts are planned rather than squeezed in later.

PRICE GUIDE £5,000 – £15,000
Scope Whole-house MVHR
Compliance Building Regs Part F
SCOPE Design & install
Free survey Yes
Coverage Herefordshire & surrounds

Frequently Asked Questions

MVHR Systems Questions

What areas do you cover?

HES Plumbing & Electrical is based in Hereford and covers Herefordshire, Worcestershire, and Gloucestershire. That includes Hereford, Ross-on-Wye, Leominster, Ledbury, Worcester, Malvern, Gloucester, and Cheltenham. Call 07780 002416 or use the enquiry form if you are close to that patch and unsure.

Are you Gas Safe and NICEIC registered?

Yes. HES is Gas Safe registered for all gas and boiler work and NICEIC approved for electrical work. We are also MCS certified for heat pump installations, a RECC member, and TrustMark registered. The credentials are checkable through each accreditation body.

Do you offer 24-hour emergency callouts?

Yes. Outside normal hours we cover genuine plumbing and heating emergencies 24 / 7 across our service area. Standard working hours are Monday to Saturday, 08:00 to 18:00, and we plan installations and quotes around those hours where we can.

How do I get a free quote?

The fastest route is the Get a Free Quote form on this site. Include the property location and a short description of the work and photos if you have them. Ben or a member of the team will come back to you with next steps, usually a short call and a site visit for anything larger than a small repair.

How do you handle warranties and paperwork?

Every job leaves with the certificates and warranties you need. Boilers are registered with the manufacturer, gas work is notified through Gas Safe, electrical work goes through NICEIC, and MCS certificates are issued for eligible heat pump installs. Copies are emailed to you so they are easy to find later.

Do you work on new builds and self-build projects?

Yes. A large share of our work is new builds, extensions, and self-build projects across Herefordshire and the borders. We are happy to come in early at design stage so first fix plumbing, heating layout, MVHR ducting, and electrical routes are planned rather than squeezed in later.

how long will it take?

Depending on the complexity of the installation, it can vary. A straight swap combi boiler typically takes one day, and a conversion, moving the boiler position, or a full system upgrade takes two to three days. We give you the exact timeline in writing with the quote so you can plan around the work.

does it have a warranty

Yes, all boilers come with a warranty that can be extended to 10 years. The exact length depends on the brand and model, and we explain the options at quote stage. We register the warranty with the manufacturer on your behalf so it runs from day one, and we handle the annual service that keeps it live.

What boilers do you install?

We install all the mainstream brands including Worcester Bosch, Vaillant, Ideal, and Baxi, as well as heat-pump-ready boilers where a hybrid is the right answer. Recommendations are led by your property, hot water demand, and long-term plans rather than by supplier margin.

Do you remove and dispose of the old boiler?

Yes. Removal, safe disconnection, and responsible disposal of the old boiler are included in every installation quote. We also take away redundant pipework and any old controls so you are left with a tidy install rather than a room full of clutter.

Do you offer finance on new boilers?

Not directly at the moment. We keep pricing transparent and accept card and bank transfer, and for larger jobs we are happy to discuss staged payments. If you need external finance we can point you to reputable providers, but the paperwork is arranged between you and them.

Can I get a grant towards my heat pump?

If you are eligible, you could receive between £7,500-£9,000 towards your heat pump and installation. The grant comes through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) and is applied at the quote stage so you see the real net cost. As an MCS certified installer HES handles the paperwork, and we confirm your eligibility before committing.

Air source or ground source, which is right for me?

For most homes an air source heat pump is the sensible answer. It is less disruptive, avoids ground works, and delivers strong efficiency once sized properly. Ground source works well where the site allows and the budget stretches, delivering higher year-round efficiency and quieter running. We survey the property, run heat loss calculations, and give an honest recommendation rather than pushing the option with the bigger ticket.

Will my radiators still work with a heat pump?

Sometimes yes, sometimes with tweaks. Heat pumps run at lower flow temperatures than gas boilers, so some radiators may need upsizing to deliver the same heat output. That is part of what a proper heat loss and radiator survey checks. We include any radiator changes in the written quote so there are no surprises.

How disruptive is a heat pump install?

Less than most people fear. A typical air source install takes several days on site, with the external unit fitted to a wall or ground bracket, indoor cylinder swapped in, and controls updated. Ground source is longer because it involves ground works. We agree the schedule up front and keep the property tidy through the job.

How do heat pumps compare on running costs?

A properly sized and commissioned heat pump running in a reasonably insulated home usually delivers meaningful savings against oil or LPG and is competitive with mains gas, especially with the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant applied. Running well means running at lower flow temperatures with the right controls, and that is where the design work pays back.

What areas plumbing do you cover?

We cover all aspects of plumbing, from design and installation to repairs, from tap washer to heating system designs. That includes first and second fix on new builds, bathroom and kitchen installs, leak repairs, system flushes, and heating system upgrades across Herefordshire, Worcestershire, and Gloucestershire.

Can you handle just a small repair?

Yes. Small jobs are welcome, whether it is a dripping tap, a stuck stopcock, a slow shower, or a valve that needs replacing. Prices for smaller jobs typically start around £150 including the callout, and we quote clearly before starting.

Do you install bathrooms and kitchens?

Yes. Bathrooms, en-suites, and kitchen plumbing are a large part of our general plumbing work. We can quote for supply-and-install packages or fit customer-supplied sanitaryware. We work with local tilers and joiners where a full project needs multiple trades.

Do you provide first and second fix for builders and developers?

Yes. HES is regularly on new-build and extension projects as the plumbing and heating trade. We plan first fix layouts with the builder, pressure test before closing up, and return for second fix and commissioning to a schedule that keeps the site moving.

Do you back your work with a warranty?

Workmanship on general plumbing is covered for 12 months. Components carry the manufacturer warranties that come with them, and we register those where relevant. If something we installed does not work as it should within the warranty period we come back and put it right.

What are the benefits of MVHR?

MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery) systems provide continuous fresh air to a building while recovering heat from the air being extracted. They are particularly beneficial in modern, well-insulated, airtight homes and commercial buildings. Key benefits include improved indoor air quality (constant filtered fresh air, fewer allergens, removal of stale air), reduced condensation and mould (extraction from kitchens, bathrooms, and utility rooms), and energy efficiency (recovery of 70 to 95 per cent of the heat from extracted air). MVHR also delivers better comfort with fewer draughts, a quieter home because windows can stay closed for ventilation, easier compliance with UK Building Regulations Part F, and better protection for timber, insulation, and finishes through controlled humidity. Typical applications include new-build homes, Passivhaus projects, deep retrofits where airtightness has been improved, and highly insulated apartments and commercial buildings.

Which properties benefit most from MVHR?

MVHR earns its keep in airtight properties. New builds designed to modern standards, Passivhaus projects, and deep retrofits with upgraded insulation and airtightness all see clear benefits. Older, draughty homes without airtightness work usually cannot recover enough heat to justify the system on cost alone.

How much does an MVHR system cost to install?

Whole-house MVHR installations typically range from £5,000 to £15,000, depending on property size, duct routing complexity, and the specification of the unit. The written quote breaks the cost down between the unit, ductwork, commissioning, and any building work required for routing.

Is MVHR noisy?

A well-designed and commissioned MVHR system is close to inaudible in day-to-day use. Noise problems almost always come down to undersized ducts, poor unit siting, or missing acoustic attenuators. HES designs and commissions each system to keep noise below the levels you would notice at the vents.

What maintenance does an MVHR system need?

The main maintenance job is filter changes, typically every 6 to 12 months depending on the unit and local conditions. Ducts are cleaned less frequently, and the unit itself needs a periodic check to confirm balanced flow rates. We provide clear instructions and can service the system for you on a schedule if you prefer to hand it off.