How Building Standards Are Evolving – And Why MVHR Will Be Non-Negotiable

Let’s not sugarcoat it—the way we build homes is changing fast.

And if you're in construction, architecture, or even a homeowner looking to future-proof your space, there's one thing you need to understand:

Ventilation is no longer an afterthought.

In fact, it’s becoming one of the most regulated, closely inspected, and essential parts of modern building design. And at the centre of it all?

Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR).

This isn’t just about comfort anymore. It’s about compliance, sustainability, and long-term health.

Let’s dive into how the standards are shifting—and why MVHR is the smart play for the future of homes.

1. Airtightness Is the New Normal (And That Changes Everything)

For decades, the focus was on insulation. Now? It’s all about airtightness.

Building regulations across Europe—including Ireland—are tightening the screws on energy performance.

And airtightness is one of the easiest ways to stop heat loss and hit those BER targets.

But here’s the kicker: the more airtight the home, the more it needs mechanical ventilation.

Why? Because sealing up a building without adding MVHR is like putting cling film over your mouth and hoping to breathe through your ears.

That’s why nearly every new standard—from the NZEB requirements to Passivhaus guidelines—assumes that MVHR is present when airtightness gets below a certain threshold.

It’s no longer a luxury. It’s the expected solution.

2. Energy Performance Targets Keep Rising

Let’s talk numbers for a second.

Ireland's Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) standard requires that new dwellings achieve a minimum A2 BER rating.

To get there, builders are stacking up insulation, upgrading windows, and making homes more airtight than ever.

But here’s the problem: without MVHR, those gains are wasted.

➡️ Opening windows? Loses heat.

➡️ Trickle vents? Don’t provide enough air.

➡️ Intermittent fans? Don’t cut it.

Only MVHR allows you to retain up to 90% of the heat in your home while maintaining healthy air exchange.

As building standards evolve, homes will need MVHR just to hit the minimum bar. And that’s a huge shift.

3. Indoor Air Quality Is No Longer Optional

Here’s a reality most people ignore:

We spend 90% of our time indoors.

And airtight homes without ventilation? They trap:

• Moisture
• CO₂
• VOCs (from furniture, paint, cleaning products)
• Outdoor pollutants

Governments and regulatory bodies are waking up to this. Expect to see stricter air quality standards baked into future codes—especially with the rise in asthma, allergies, and respiratory issues.

MVHR systems aren’t just about temperature—they’re about health.

They remove stale air, filter incoming air, and control humidity.

This isn’t a trend—it’s a public health shift. And regulations are catching up quickly.

4. Passive House and Future Homes Standard: MVHR Is Baked In

Look at where things are headed:

• Passivhaus? You must install MVHR.
• Future Homes Standard (UK, 2025)? It’s designed for low-carbon, airtight buildings—MVHR is the go-to solution.
• EU Directives? Increasingly pushing for whole-house ventilation systems.

Whether it's for energy performance, carbon reduction, or occupant health, MVHR is always part of the conversation.

And let’s be honest:

The gap between “optional extra” and “code requirement” is closing fast.

MVHR is on the right side of that shift.

5. Retrofitting? You’ll Be Required to Upgrade Ventilation

This isn’t just about new builds.

If you're retrofitting a home—adding insulation, upgrading windows, improving airtightness—building control will increasingly ask:

 “What are you doing for ventilation?”

In fact, Part F of the Building Regulations already requires adequate ventilation to be maintained when upgrades are made.

 Fail to provide it?

You risk non-compliance, failed BER assessments, and future liability issues.

Smart retrofitters are installing MVHR as part of their upgrade strategy—not just to pass inspections, but to actually future-proof the building.

6. The Climate Emergency Is Forcing Big Changes

Let’s zoom out.

We’re in a climate emergency.

That means net-zero targets, carbon budgets, and deep decarbonisation.

Buildings account for nearly 40% of global emissions. Governments are under pressure to tighten regulations and enforce energy performance standards.

And that means every new home—and every retrofit—will need to:

• Waste less heat
• Use less energy
• Protect occupant health

MVHR ticks all three boxes.

It’s not just the practical solution.

It’s the policy-aligned one, the climate-conscious one, the “this-isn’t-going-away” one.

What Does This Mean for You?

If you're a builder, architect, or homeowner planning a project in the next 3–5 years, here’s the bottom line:

MVHR will not be optional.

It will be assumed. Required. Expected.

Waiting for it to show up in code is like waiting for a traffic light to tell you to brake—you’ll already be too late.

Instead, get ahead of the curve.

Design for it. Plan for it.

Make it a core part of your strategy—not a last-minute bolt-on.

Because the homes of tomorrow?

They’re built airtight, energy-smart, and health-first.

And MVHR is what makes that possible.