If you have an MVHR system in your home please read this as it may help you save hundreds of pounds every year.
We’ve been designing, supplying and commissioning MVHR systems since 2015, when MVHR was a very new technology to introduce to UK homes.
We’ve seen lots of new MVHR companies spring up, and one advert I see being offered by these companies is for “annual MVHR servicing”.
Typically it’s a subscription offer with a few levels of MVHR servicing, ranging from replacement of filters for around £100 ex VAT to full MVHR breakdown and cleaning for £300 ex VAT or more.
These costs are completely unnecessary, as you the homeowner can maintain your MVHR system annually for free.
The difference between MVHR servicing and MVHR maintenance
These unscrupulous MVHR servicing companies are relying on a confusion between MVHR servicing and MVHR maintenance, which I’ll explain now.
What is MVHR maintenance?
MVHR maintenance can be done entirely by the home-owner requiring no tools or heavy lifting, typically every year to 18 months.
It involves:
- replacing or cleaning the internal MVHR unit filters (a two minute job requiring no tools) – we can supply bulk packs of filters
- wiping any dust around the ceiling / wall room valves
- ensuring the external grilles / roof cowls are clear of leaves, pollen and debris
That’s it! That is what one of our rival MVHR companies would charge a few hundreds of pounds for, and we don’t think that’s fair.
These maintenance tasks shouldn’t take more than half an hour in total per year, but they will keep the MVHR system running healthily long term.
What is proper MVHR servicing?
MVHR servicing is a more involved professional service that MVHR manufacturers would recommend every 4 to 5 years and/or when a fault occurs.
When Heat, Space and Light services the MVHR system we typically:
- open up the internals of the MVHR unit to check the health of sensors, fan motors and bypass dampers
- replace any parts as needed
- check filter health and replace as needed
- clean the unit internally, if necessary
- check for air leakage, blockages or excessive pressure – fix as necessary
- re-commission and rebalance the room valves to ensure they have not drifted from their design flow-rates after five years
- update the MVHR firmware to ensure it’s the latest version
- run through any controls questions with the homeowner
- issue a certificate of health for the system and re-commissioning evidence if needed
4 to 5 years is a great time to get the unit serviced by a company like ours because we can also flag any failing parts for replacement before the extended 6-year warranty ends.
Our servicing gives you confidence that the MVHR is healthy, running well and within its design parameters.
Taking care of MVHR systems for over a decade
Our oldest continuously-running unit is celebrating its 14th birthday soon and following a second five-year service it’s now running as well as it did when it was first installed.
Long term that’s a huge money-saver for you.
So please don’t be forced into an expensive and unnecessary annual MVHR servicing subscription service.
If you are looking for your MVHR to be serviced please do get in touch with us on the Contact Us page.
Please note we do not service Vent Axia, Nuaire or Rega Vent MVHR units.