MVHR recommendations.

[Dazz71]

Hi again. 

 

I'm getting to the point where I'm going to buy a unit. 

 

The three manufacturers I'm looking at at Envirovent, Vent axia, and KAWA vent.  

Are these any good? 

 

If not then which brand would you buy?

 

Cheers.

[JohnMo]

I bought 2x Titon HRV. Both came from eBay super cheap, very well made. I had a issue with one motor on start up (maybe why it ended up on eBay), issue diagnosed on the phone, parts dispatched same day.  Ran flawlessly for 5 years so far

[Dazz71]

4 hours ago, JohnMo said:

I bought 2x Titon HRV. 

 

Thanks. I'll look those up. 

 

I take it you DIY'd it all yourself?

[Mike]

If you have the budget, choose one from the list at https://database.passivehouse.com/en/components/list/ventilation_small. These units are independently tested to more accurate standards than normal (a higher efficiency ratio = better economy). Also size the unit so that it never needs to run at more than 2/3 capacity.

[Dazz71]

6 hours ago, Mike said:

If you have the budget, choose one from the list at https://database.passivehouse.com/en/components/list/ventilation_small. 

Thanks for the links. I'll give those a look. Nice one.

[Nickfromwales]

33 minutes ago, Dazz71 said:

Thanks for the links. I'll give those a look. Nice one.

Brink is very good for the money, but you’ll need to dig a bit deeper as you’re into a far better level of kit then. Fitted loads over the years with great results; make sure you consider sound pressure levels and operational audibility, as noise in bedrooms (particularly when the system is boosted) will seriously annoy.

 

Attenuators (aka silencers) act like a car muffler and should defo be considered in the design. 

[Indy]

Zehnder ComfoAir is what we went for in the end - based on the advice from this forum and also after speaking with Heat, Space and Light. They seem to be very well rated for Passive House type installations as well (ours isn't, but I wanted acoustic performance over complete airtightness).

[Nickfromwales]

On 13/10/2026 at 09:57, Indy said:

but I wanted acoustic performance over complete airtightness).

How is there a correlation between these? 
 

MVHR should run silently in the most airtight envelope possible. 

[JohnMo]

On 13/10/2026 at 09:57, Indy said:

but I wanted acoustic performance over complete airtightness

Doesn't acoustic performance come from being airtight - assuming you are talking building envelope - have a hike noise travels through it, no noise leaks in.

 

If it's not a good level of airtight, why waste money on MVHR? Do a MEV or dMEV on demand system with acoustic and humidity control vents.

 

[Indy]

Poorly worded. The house is as airtight as I can make it within BR standards without going full Passive House. 

 

What I meant was that achieving near perfect levels of airtightness and absolute Passive House levels of insulation wasn't my primary driver. A system that runs silently in the background and I can't hear any whirring or clicking sounds was what I was after. Ended up going for the 90mm ducts on the recommendation from HSL towards that goal. 

[saveasteading]

2 hours ago, JohnMo said:

Doesn't acoustic performance come from being airtight 

No. They are very different. e.g. A skim of silicone can make a gap airtight but won't stop much sound transfer.

Airtightness is flow of air, whereas noise is sound waves....vibration of air rather than flow.