How Much Does an MVHR System Cost in Ireland? (2026 Price Guide)
The better insulated and more airtight your home becomes, the more it needs controlled ventilation — and MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery) is the most efficient way to get it. Instead of throwing warm, stale air out the vents, an MVHR system recovers its heat and uses it to warm the fresh air coming in. Here’s what that costs in Ireland in 2026, with every component broken out.
Quick answer: a full MVHR system in Ireland costs €6,500 – €13,000 for a typical home, covering design, supply, installation and commissioning. Large detached homes (250–350 m²+) run €10,000 – €20,000+. Retrofitting into an existing house costs more than a new build — mainly extra labour routing the ductwork.
MVHR Cost Breakdown: Where the Money Goes
An MVHR quote isn’t one number — it’s five. Here’s the typical Irish pricing for each part of the job:
| Component | Typical cost | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| System design | €500 – €1,500 | A ventilation layout engineered for your home’s structure and air requirements (sometimes included in the quote — worth checking) |
| MVHR unit | €2,000 – €5,500 | The heart of the system; top-tier brands like Genvex or Zehnder sit at €4,000+ but run quieter and more efficiently |
| Ducting & components | €1,500 – €4,500 | Silencers, distribution boxes, and antibacterial/antistatic ductwork where required |
| Installation | €2,000 – €8,000 | New build: €2,000 – €4,000 · Retrofit: €4,000 – €8,000 |
| Commissioning & certification | €300 – €800 | Airflow balancing and certificates for building regulations compliance |
MVHR Installation Cost: New Build vs Retrofit
Installation is where quotes differ most. In a new build, ducts are routed before ceilings close up, so installation runs €2,000 – €4,000. In a retrofit, the crew works around existing ceilings, joists and finishes, which pushes installation to €4,000 – €8,000. If you’re retrofitting as part of a wider insulation upgrade, it pays to schedule the MVHR ductwork while other works have floors or ceilings open — we coordinate this on combined projects.
Heat Recovery System Prices vs Other Ventilation Options
MVHR is the premium option. If your budget or house type points another way, here’s how heat recovery compares with the alternatives we install:
| System | Typical installed cost | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| MEV (Mechanical Extract Ventilation) | €2,500 – €5,500 | Renovations and smaller homes |
| DCV (Demand Controlled Ventilation) | €3,000 – €6,000 | Retrofit projects and SEAI upgrades |
| HRV (single-room heat recovery) | €4,000 – €8,000 | Targeted rooms without full ducting |
| MVHR (whole-house heat recovery) | €6,500 – €13,000 | Energy-efficient and airtight homes |
| MVHR — large detached (250–350 m²+) | €10,000 – €20,000+ | Large family homes and high-performance dwellings |
All figures cover design, supply, installation and commissioning. For the full comparison of every system type, see our complete guide to home ventilation system costs in Ireland.
What Changes the Price of an MVHR System?
- House size and layout — more rooms means more duct runs, valves and a larger unit.
- New build vs retrofit — the single biggest swing factor (see above).
- Unit brand and specification — premium units cost more upfront but run quieter and recover more heat.
- Ductwork quality — rigid, insulated and antibacterial ducting costs more than budget flexible duct, and performs better for decades.
- Access and finishes — tight ceiling voids or finished interiors add labour time in retrofits.
Heat pumps are present in 84% of rated Irish homes built in 2020 to 2024, and those airtight builds are where MVHR earns its keep; our Dublin BER statistics show the postcode breakdown.
Is MVHR Worth the Cost?
For well-insulated, airtight homes — including homes that have just had external insulation or attic upgrades — MVHR is usually the right answer: it supplies constant fresh, filtered air, removes moisture and condensation risk, and recovers heat that other ventilation types simply exhaust outdoors. That heat recovery is exactly why insulating without proper ventilation is a false economy — we’ve covered the mechanics in why ventilation is essential after insulating. Whole-house retrofits through the SEAI One Stop Shop route can include ventilation upgrades as part of the works — we confirm what applies to your project at survey stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an MVHR system cost in Ireland?
€6,500 – €13,000 fully installed for a typical home, including design, the unit, ducting, installation and commissioning. Large detached homes over 250 m² typically run €10,000 – €20,000+.
How much does MVHR installation cost?
Installation alone costs €2,000 – €4,000 in a new build and €4,000 – €8,000 in a retrofit, on top of the unit, design and ducting. Retrofit labour is higher because ducts must be routed through existing ceilings and floors.
What does a heat recovery unit itself cost?
€2,000 – €5,500 depending on size and brand. Premium manufacturers such as Genvex and Zehnder start around €4,000 but offer quieter running and higher efficiency.
What’s the difference between HRV and MVHR?
HRV usually refers to single-room heat recovery units (€4,000 – €8,000 installed for targeted rooms), while MVHR is a whole-house ducted system (€6,500 – €13,000). Both recover heat from outgoing air; MVHR does it for every room through one balanced system.
Is a cheaper ventilation system good enough?
Sometimes — MEV (€2,500 – €5,500) or DCV (€3,000 – €6,000) suit renovations and standard retrofits well. MVHR earns its premium in airtight, well-insulated homes where recovered heat genuinely offsets heating costs. We recommend the right system, not the biggest one, at the free survey.
Want an exact figure for your home? Book a free ventilation survey — we’ll assess your layout, recommend the right system and give you an itemised quote covering every line above.
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