MVHR Units

MVHR units (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery) deliver continuous whole-house ventilation while recovering up to 92% of heat from extracted air — maintaining air quality without the energy losses associated with conventional ventilation strategies. Electricpoint stocks the Vent Axia Sentinel Kinetic Sentinel Econiq ranges.

The Sentinel Kinetic range is available in multiple variants to suit different dwelling sizes, flow rate requirements, and installation constraints. The Sentinel Econiq offers higher thermal efficiency and a lower SFP in a compact footprint, making it the preferred choice for Passivhaus and Part L-compliant new builds. Both ranges are compatible with Vent Axia ductwork, controls accessories and replacement filter packs.

MVHR Units FAQ Section

MVHR Units — Frequently Asked Questions

An MVHR unit extracts stale air from wet rooms and supplies fresh filtered air to habitable rooms simultaneously. A heat exchanger transfers heat from the outgoing extract air to the incoming supply air, recovering typically 80–92% of heat that would otherwise be lost.

MVHR is required in highly airtight new build properties and is increasingly specified in deep retrofit projects where controlled ventilation is needed alongside high levels of insulation.

MEV (Mechanical Extract Ventilation) extracts stale air from wet rooms but relies on background ventilators for replacement air and does not recover heat.

MVHR both supplies and extracts mechanically, recovering warmth from outgoing air via a heat exchanger. MVHR is better suited to airtight buildings and is the standard solution for Passivhaus and Part L-compliant new builds where energy performance is a priority.

The Sentinel Kinetic is Vent Axia’s established whole-house MVHR range, available in multiple variants (B, BH, Plus, High Flow, FH) to cover a wide range of dwelling sizes and installation types.

The Sentinel Econiq is a newer, compact range developed for the new build market, offering up to 92% thermal efficiency, lower SFP ratings, and a smaller footprint. The Econiq is available in S, M, and L sizes and is particularly well suited to energy-efficient and Passivhaus projects.

Yes. Commissioning is a Building Regulations requirement under Approved Document F for all mechanical ventilation systems. It involves balancing supply and extract flow rates at each terminal to match the design specification and recording results on a commissioning sheet.

An unbalanced system will not perform to its rated efficiency or meet Part F ventilation requirements. Commissioning documentation forms part of the handover package to the building owner.

MVHR filters should be inspected every six months and replaced every 6–12 months depending on local air quality conditions. Blocked filters restrict airflow, increase fan energy consumption, and reduce heat recovery efficiency.

Vent Axia G3 and G4 replacement filter packs are available for all Sentinel Kinetic and Econiq units.

Yes, though retrofit MVHR installations are more complex than new build due to routing ductwork through existing fabric. Semi-rigid duct systems and ceiling distribution boxes can minimise disruption.

For retrofit projects, assessing building airtightness before specifying MVHR is important — in a leaky envelope, improving airtightness alongside the installation will significantly improve system performance.