MVHR in Ireland — Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery, Cost, and Why You Need It
On this page
MVHR: €4,000–€8,000 installed. Recovers 70–90% of the heat in extract air. Mandatory for airtight homes.
MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery) in Ireland: €4,000–€8,000 installed. Recovers 70–90% of the heat in the air you'd otherwise throw away. Two fans, a heat exchanger, intake and extract ducts. Mandatory for airtight homes (Part L 2022: 1–3 m³/m²·hr at 50 Pa; BER A1: 1–2; Passive House: ≤0.6). Without MVHR, an airtight home has stale air, condensation, and mould. Best paired with a heat pump — the recovered heat goes into the heat pump's hot water cylinder. Sizing: based on floor area and number of wet rooms. Typical 150 m² house: 3–4 bedrooms, 2–3 bathrooms, kitchen. Unit sized 250–350 m³/h. The ductwork must be designed at the same time as the house design, not retrofitted.
When this matters most
You're at design stage and need to specify the ventilation.
When this doesn't apply
The MVHR is commissioned.
Sources
Building Regulations 2023, TGD-F (Ventilation). https://www.gov.ie/
How this guide works
Decide if MVHR fits your airtightness target
Four short steps. Read in order if MVHR is new to you, or skim to the part you're stuck on.
Other briefs in the Heating Ventilation And Renewables stage
- Airtightness in Ireland — Part L 1–3 m³/m²·hr, Passive House ≤0.6, and the Blower Door Test
- Heat Pump in Ireland 2026 — Air-to-Water Cost, SEAI Grant, and the 6 vs 9 kW Question
- SEAI Heat Pump Grant 2026 — €6,500 + €3,500 Bonus, Eligibility, and the BER Trap
- BER A1 Setup in Ireland 2026 — Heat Pump, MVHR, Solar PV, and the Numbers
- Underfloor Heating in Ireland — Cost, Floor Build-up, and the Heat Pump Pairing
Frequently asked questions
How much does MVHR cost in Ireland?
€4,000–€8,000 installed. Plus ductwork design and installation, which is typically included. For a 150 m² house: €5,000–€7,000.
Do I need MVHR in an airtight house?
Yes. Without MVHR, an airtight home has stale air, condensation, and mould. MVHR is mandatory for Part L 2022 airtightness targets.
What size MVHR do I need?
Based on floor area and number of wet rooms. Typical 150 m² house (3–4 bed, 2–3 bath, kitchen): 250–350 m³/h unit. Engineer sizes based on the room-by-room air flow requirements.
When this matters most
You're at design stage and need to specify the ventilation.
When this doesn't apply
The MVHR is commissioned.
Where to go next
Next decision
The next step in your build sequence.
Branch into
Adjacent decisions at the same stage.
- Battery Storage in Ireland 2026 — Cost, Payback, and When to Skip It →
- Biomass Boiler in Ireland — Wood Pellet Stove, Cost, SEAI Grant, and When It Beats a Heat Pump →
- District Heating in Ireland — Where It Exists, the Connection Cost, and When It Works →
- Ground Source Heat Pump in Ireland — Borehole Cost, When It's Worth the Premium →
- Solar Thermal in Ireland — Hot Water from the Sun, When It Pays Back, and the Alternatives →
Watch out for
Common mistakes, hidden costs, gotchas.
- Battery Storage in Ireland 2026 — Cost, Payback, and When to Skip It →
- Biomass Boiler in Ireland — Wood Pellet Stove, Cost, SEAI Grant, and When It Beats a Heat Pump →
- District Heating in Ireland — Where It Exists, the Connection Cost, and When It Works →
- Ground Source Heat Pump in Ireland — Borehole Cost, When It's Worth the Premium →
- SEAI Heat Pump Grant 2026 — €6,500 + €3,500 Bonus, Eligibility, and the BER Trap →
- Heat Pump in Ireland 2026 — Air-to-Water Cost, SEAI Grant, and the 6 vs 9 kW Question →
- Radiators vs Underfloor Heating in Ireland — Cost, Comfort, and Heat Pump Pairing →
- Solar PV in Ireland 2026 — 6 kWp Cost, Payback, and the SEAI Grant →
- Underfloor Heating in Ireland — Cost, Floor Build-up, and the Heat Pump Pairing →
Compare with
Alternative approaches worth knowing.