Heat-recovery ventilation: installation and business opportunities in 2026

Understanding heat-recovery mechanical ventilation and your target projects

Operating principle and concrete benefits for the client (air, comfort, savings)

Heat-recovery mechanical ventilation extracts stale air (kitchen, bathrooms, WC) and supplies filtered fresh air into living rooms. Along the way, a heat exchanger recovers a large share of the heat from the outgoing air. The result: cleaner air, less odour and humidity, more stable thermal comfort, and reduced heating losses.

Houses, apartments, whole-home renovations: where heat recovery is most relevant

It shines especially in houses or whole-home renovations, as insulation and airtightness improve. It's also worthwhile in cold, noisy or polluted areas, since filtration and the absence of facade air inlets change the picture. In apartments, it's possible but often more complex: shared ducts, limited suspended ceilings, technical access. To better position yourself for this type of project, you can also focus on whole-home renovation.

Points of attention: airtightness, available space and network constraints

Without proper airtightness, the gains melt away. Plan space for the fan unit, the networks and the extract points, and check penetrations (lofts, cupboards, wall linings). Sizing, balancing, acoustics and filter access are what make a quality installation. A clean installation means a home that breathes well, without draughts.

Preparing a heat-recovery ventilation installation without bad surprises

On-site diagnosis: volumes, wet rooms, routing and access (lofts, suspended ceilings)

Before running the ducting, do a full survey. Measure the volumes, locate the wet rooms and check access in lofts or suspended ceilings. Anticipate penetrations (beams, hatches, load-bearing walls) and plan short routes to limit pressure losses and noise.

Sizing and equipment choice: flow rates, efficiency, bypass, filters and noise level

Heat-recovery ventilation comes down first to the right flow rate. Aim for a suitable real efficiency, an automatic bypass for summer, filters that are easy to replace, and a quiet fan unit. On the network side, favour insulated ducting in cold spaces and extract points accessible for maintenance.

Compliance and best practices: adjustments, extract-point balancing and end-of-project checks

At the end of installation, the final adjustment avoids 80% of callbacks. Balance the supply and extract points, check flow rates, connection airtightness and condensate. Give the client a user guide (filters, cleaning, frequency) and a signed measurement record.

Installing heat-recovery ventilation: field methods that save time

Installing the unit and managing condensate: fixings, siphon, drainage and anti-vibration

Install the fan unit on anti-vibration mounts and keep easy access to the filters. For condensate, plan for an accessible siphon and drainage with a continuous slope to the wastewater system. A visible installation means fewer callbacks.

Air distribution networks: duct insulation, airtightness, penetrations and limiting pressure losses

In heat-recovery ventilation, the networks make the performance. Insulate ducting in unheated spaces, take care with connection airtightness, and treat penetrations with sleeves. To limit pressure losses, keep lengths short, use wide bends, and reserve flexible duct for the last few metres.

Commissioning: flow-rate measurements, room-by-room adjustment and client handover

Measure flow rates at the extract points, then balance room by room. Check the balance between supply and extraction, and record your values. Finish with a simple client handover. Where the filters are, when to change them, and what to watch for in case of noise or condensation.

Creating value with heat-recovery ventilation: offers, margins and add-on sales

Building a clear quote: useful options, product tiers and line items not to forget

For heat-recovery ventilation, aim for three clear tiers. Essential (fan unit, extract points, network), comfort (EC motors, silencer, duct insulation), premium (summer bypass, CO2 sensor, enhanced filtration). Don't forget the sizing study, penetrations, condensate drainage, balancing and flow-rate measurements at commissioning.

Combining heat-recovery ventilation with other trades: insulation, heating, airtightness and indoor air quality

Heat-recovery ventilation sells better as a coherent package. Offer it alongside insulation (loft, walls), air-leak treatment, and more precise heating (heat pump, regulation). Add an airtightness check or parasitic air-inlet detection option. On indoor air quality, highlight the filtration and the correct positioning of extract points.

Maintenance contracts: filters, cleaning, periodic checks and customer loyalty

An annual contract secures performance. Plan for filter replacement once or twice a year depending on use, cleaning of extract points and the heat exchanger, flow-rate checks, and condensate verification. It's also a gateway to add-on sales. High-efficiency filters, sensors, or network cleaning if needed.

Growing your business in 2026 with heat-recovery ventilation

Sales arguments that resonate with clients: summer/winter comfort, humidity and odour reduction

With heat recovery, heat-recovery mechanical ventilation limits cold draughts in winter and keeps fresh air more tempered. In summer, proper use of the bypass helps avoid warming up the home. On a daily basis, continuous extraction from wet rooms reduces the feeling of mustiness, condensation, and some kitchen or WC odours. The filter, meanwhile, speaks to clients sensitive to pollen and dust.

Team organisation: who does what between study, installation, adjustment and follow-up

• Study: visit, sizing, network routing, checking volumes and connection points.
• Installation: fan unit, ducting, extract points, penetrations, acoustic treatment and connection airtightness.
• Adjustment: flow-rate balancing, speed checks, noise, and validation of summer mode.
• Follow-up: check-in after 1 month, maintenance reminder, filter advice.

Reducing callbacks: common mistakes, handover checklist and proof of adjustments

Callbacks often come from over-crushed ducting, poorly managed lengths, uninsulated ducting (condensation), poorly placed extract points, or missing measurements. At handover, keep measured proof: flow rate per extract point, photos of the networks and filter labels, and a maintenance sheet given to the client.