Guaranteed performance for healthy homes

Summary

Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) helps homes maintain healthy indoor air quality (IAQ) while reducing heat loss. However, reliable performance depends on accurate product data. Independent third-party certification verifies key characteristics such as airflow, leakage, energy efficiency, sound, electrical consumption and cold-climate performance, helping homeowners, landlords, housebuilders and housing providers select suitable units, support compliance and reduce the risks associated with underperformance.

IAQ and mechanical ventilation systems

Indoor air quality is no longer just a concern for hospitals or office buildings. For homeowners, landlords, housebuilders and social housing organisations, it’s becoming a central issue in providing healthy, efficient and sustainable homes. As properties become more airtight to meet energy efficiency targets, mechanical ventilation systems are becoming an essential component in ensuring good IAQ, resident comfort, and long-term building durability.

Energy-efficient homes reduce heat loss but also risk trapping pollutants inside. Poor IAQ impacts seriously on resident health and wellbeing and can cause damage to the fabric of the building itself. Poor IAQ is bad for everyone and is influenced by:

• Pollutants – particulate matter, VOCs, mould spores, natural gases and biological contaminants
• Temperature and humidity – extremes can affect health and encourage mould growth
• Ventilation – inadequate systems trap stale air and pollutants.

To address this, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) is increasingly used in residential settings. These systems ensure continuous fresh air supply while recovering heat from extracted air, reducing energy demand. While the concept is simple, the real-world performance of ventilation systems can vary significantly. This makes verified product performance data vital.

The importance of good data

If manufacturer data is inaccurate, it can result in underperforming MVHR systems. IAQ may be compromised, energy consumption can increase and buildings may become non-compliant with regulations such as the EU's Energy-related Products (ErP) Directive.

To combat this, product certification bodies such as Eurovent Certification, provide independent, third-party verification that MVHR systems perform as claimed. The Eurovent Certified Performance programme for Residential Air Handling Units benchmarks products against the globally recognised EN 13141-7+A1:2025 standard, verifying key characteristics including airflow performance, leakage class, energy efficiency, sound levels, electrical consumption, and performance in cold climates.

For housing associations, house builders, homeowners and landlords this transparency is invaluable: reducing the risk of underperformance, safeguarding the health of occupants and supporting long-term sustainability goals.

Added value of Eurovent certified products

Product certification is voluntary and not mandatory, meaning that manufacturers have gone the extra mile to prove products perform as claimed. Certified MVHR systems can offer:

1. Healthy, low-energy homes: Certified units can help property owners meet energy-efficiency and IAQ goals.
2. Regulatory compliance: Eurovent certified products are compliant with the EU's Ecodesign requirements for Energy-related Products (ErP) and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).
3. Benefits for large-scale developments: Standardised, comparable data makes procurement easier, ensuring consistent product quality across multiple properties.
4. Benefits for retrofit projects: Certified airflow and pressure data allow correct sizing and design, minimising resident complaints about noise, draughts or high energy bills.
5. Sustainable housing programmes: Certification supports eligibility for financial incentives and green funding schemes by providing verified performance data.
6. Faster return on investment: While certified products may come with a higher purchase price tag, superior energy efficiency and guaranteed performance reduces energy consumption and ongoing running costs for end users.

Healthy, energy-efficient homes go hand-in-hand with resident satisfaction and long-term building quality.

Supporting product choice

Certification is powerful tool. However, not all MVHR units on the market are Eurovent Certified. The best way to find a certified product is to look for the Eurovent Certified Performance logo or visit the online Certified Product Directory. The free to use database of certified products can help you:

• Compare different brands and models like-for-like
• View and download accurate, validated data
• Justify choices in public tenders and technical submissions.

Choosing Eurovent Certified products offers confidence that ventilation systems will perform as expected and meet regulatory compliance, helping to manage risk, protect residents, and meet sustainability goals.

Frequently asked questions

What is an MVHR system and how does it support indoor air quality?

An MVHR system continuously extracts stale, humid air from a home and supplies filtered outdoor air. It transfers heat from the outgoing air to the incoming air, helping to maintain ventilation while limiting heat loss.

Why is verified MVHR performance data important?

Verified data helps specifiers and buyers compare units using independently checked information rather than relying solely on manufacturer claims. This supports accurate sizing and product selection and can reduce the risk of excessive noise, energy use, poor ventilation or non-compliance.

Why should you use Eurovent Certified MVHR units?

Eurovent Certified units undergo independent third-party assessment to confirm that declared performance is reliable. This gives decision makers greater confidence in characteristics such as airflow, heat recovery, leakage, sound and energy use, while making certified models easier to compare through standardised, transparent data.

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