Do I need MVHR in a new build?

Not by law, but in practice most airtight new builds use MVHR because natural ventilation cannot supply enough fresh air. Building regulations require adequate ventilation, and MVHR is the usual way to provide it without losing heat.

Is MVHR required by building regulations for new homes?

No. Approved Document F sets the ventilation a new home must have but does not mandate MVHR. It is one compliant option, and the most common in airtight new builds.

Can I use MVHR with a heat pump in a new build?

Yes, and it is common. The heat pump heats the home and the MVHR ventilates it and recovers heat. Under the Future Homes Standard many new homes will use the two together, each doing a different job.

When should MVHR be planned in a new build project?

At the design stage, before construction. Planning the unit location and duct routes early keeps runs short and installation tidy, and avoids expensive changes once the structure is up.

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MVHR for new builds

MVHR is the usual ventilation choice for a new build in the UK, because new homes are built airtight to save energy and cannot rely on draughts for fresh air. Designed in from the start, MVHR ventilates the whole home and recovers most of the heat that would otherwise be lost. This guide covers why, how it is designed, what the regulations require, and the cost.

By VentRight Editorial · Last updated 2026-07-08 · Impartial · Sourced

Why do new builds use MVHR?

New homes are built to tight airtightness standards under Part L, so there are few gaps for natural ventilation. MVHR provides controlled fresh air to every room and recovers most of the heat from the air it extracts, which suits an airtight, well-insulated home. It is not the only compliant option, but it is the most common choice in airtight new builds.

The tighter a home is built, the less it can rely on chance leakage for fresh air, so ventilation has to be deliberate. MVHR does that while holding on to the heat, which is why it pairs so naturally with the high insulation and airtightness of a modern new build.

How is MVHR designed into a new build?

MVHR is designed at the same time as the home, so the unit location and the supply and extract duct routes are planned before construction. Ducts are run through floors, ceilings and service voids before they are closed up, which keeps runs short and installation tidy. Getting the design right early avoids long, noisy duct runs later.

A good design keeps duct runs short and uses rigid or semi-rigid ducting rather than long lengths of flexible duct, which restricts airflow and adds noise. The unit needs an accessible location for filter changes. Because all of this is easier before the building is finished, MVHR is far simpler and cheaper to get right in a new build than in a retrofit.

What do the regulations require for new build ventilation?

A new home must meet Approved Document F: minimum extract rates for wet rooms and a whole-dwelling supply rate for fresh air. Because the home is airtight under Part L, a mechanical system is normally needed to meet those rates reliably. From 24 March 2027 the Future Homes Standard applies, setting the supply rate at 6 litres per second per bedroom.

MVHR is one way to meet Part F, not a legal requirement in itself. The building control body checks the ventilation, and for a mechanical system will expect commissioning records showing the measured air flow rates. See our Approved Document F and Future Homes Standard guides for the detail.

Sources: GOV.UK

How much does MVHR cost in a new build?

In a new build, MVHR is usually cheaper to install than a retrofit because the ducting goes in before rooms are finished. A whole-house system typically falls within the 3,000 to 10,000 pound range, toward the lower to middle for a straightforward home. The exact figure depends on the size of the home and the unit chosen.

Because the ducting is part of the build, there is little of the disruption and awkward routing that pushes up a retrofit. Our cost guide breaks the total down into the unit, ducting, design and commissioning so you can see where the money goes.

What makes a good new build MVHR installation?

A good installation comes from a proper design, short rigid or semi-rigid duct runs, a correctly sized unit, and thorough commissioning that sets and measures the flow at every terminal. The unit should be easy to reach for filter changes. Getting these right is what separates a quiet, efficient system from a noisy, underperforming one.

Most complaints about MVHR, noise, draughts or a stuffy feel, trace back to design or commissioning rather than the technology. In a new build you have the best possible chance to get all of it right, so it is worth using a designer and installer who will commission the system properly and hand over the records.

Questions

Do I need MVHR in a new build?: Not by law, but in practice most airtight new builds use MVHR because natural ventilation cannot supply enough fresh air. Building regulations require adequate ventilation, and MVHR is the usual way to provide it without losing heat.
Is MVHR required by building regulations for new homes?: No. Approved Document F sets the ventilation a new home must have but does not mandate MVHR. It is one compliant option, and the most common in airtight new builds.
Can I use MVHR with a heat pump in a new build?: Yes, and it is common. The heat pump heats the home and the MVHR ventilates it and recovers heat. Under the Future Homes Standard many new homes will use the two together, each doing a different job.
When should MVHR be planned in a new build project?: At the design stage, before construction. Planning the unit location and duct routes early keeps runs short and installation tidy, and avoids expensive changes once the structure is up.