Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV): Fresh Air Without Losing Heat

A Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) unit brings fresh air into your home while capturing the warmth from the outgoing stale air. Instead of throwing heat out of the window (literally), HRV recovers it — giving you better ventilation without making rooms colder.

If you struggle with condensation, poor air quality, or stuffy rooms but don’t want to lose valuable heat, HRV can be a great option.

How HRV Works

Here’s the simple version — no engineering degree needed:

1. Stale, humid air is extracted from rooms (usually kitchens, bathrooms or problem areas).

2. Fresh air is drawn in from outside.

3. Inside the HRV unit, the heat from the outgoing air is transferred to the incoming air.

4. You get warm, fresh, filtered air… without the heat loss.

No air mixes. No draughts. Just continuous ventilation with energy savings built in.

Why HRV Can Be Better Than Standard Extraction

Traditional extractor fans remove warm air and pull cold air into the house. HRV solves that problem by keeping the heat where it belongs — inside.

Benefits of HRV:

• ✓ Reduces condensation and mould

  It constantly removes moist air and replenishes it with drier, pre-warmed air.

• ✓ Improves indoor air quality

  Great for anyone with asthma, allergies or breathing issues.

• ✓ Saves heat and energy

  Up to $95\%$ of heat can be recovered depending on the system.

• ✓ Quiet, continuous operation

  No roaring fans, no freezing draughts, just stable airflow.

• ✓ Works well in airtight or modern homes

  Especially useful where natural ventilation is limited.

When HRV Is the Right Choice

We recommend HRV when:

• Rooms feel stuffy or stale even with windows open

• Condensation appears despite having extractor fans

• PIV alone isn’t suitable (for example, certain flats or basements)

• You want fresh air without losing heat

• Bedrooms suffer with night-time humidity

• The property has been insulated or made airtight

HRV is especially popular in:

• Flats and apartments

• New-builds

• Homes with no loft space for PIV

• Properties with high energy efficiency targets

HRV vs PIV: Which Should You Choose?

PIV is the go-to solution for most houses — simple, effective, great value. HRV is ideal where:

• There’s no loft

• Heat loss is a concern

• Targeted ventilation is needed

• Windows stay shut most of the time

During a survey, we’ll tell you honestly which will work best — not just the most expensive option.

Our HRV Installation Service

Condentrol handles everything:

• Choosing the right HRV unit for your home

• Correct positioning for maximum efficiency

• Installing insulated ducting to prevent heat loss

• Setting up extraction and supply pathways

• Balancing the airflow

• Commissioning and testing

A properly installed HRV system blends into the background — you barely notice it’s on, but you feel the difference.