0800 088 6341
Ventilation Contractors
0800 088 6341Get a price

Commercial ventilation

Commercial heat recovery ventilation units

Plate and rotary heat recovery units that cut the cost of fresh air.

  • From £6,950 + VAT per unit
  • Free survey on the UK mainland
  • Airflow tested and recorded
Get a guide price0800 088 6341
Heat recovery units and spiral ductwork in a plant room

A commercial heat recovery unit supplies fresh air and extracts stale air through a heat exchanger, so the energy already spent heating or cooling the building is passed to the incoming air instead of being thrown away. It is the standard way to ventilate offices, schools, gyms and clinics efficiently.

How it works

Units use plate exchangers (no mixing of air streams) or rotary wheels (higher efficiency, small transfer of moisture). The right choice depends on the use: a gym or swimming area has very different moisture loads to an office.

We size units to the building's occupancy and fresh-air needs, plan the duct connections and controls, and commission the system so the design airflows are actually achieved.

Options we fit

Ceiling-void units

Compact horizontal units for offices and shops.

Floor or roof units

Larger units for schools, gyms and halls.

Demand control

CO2-led control for variable occupancy.

Replacement of old ventilation

Extract-only systems upgraded to balanced heat recovery.

Signs you need this

  • Opening windows to get fresh air in winter
  • High heating bills in well-occupied buildings
  • Extract-only systems pulling in cold air
  • A gym or studio with condensation
  • Classrooms with high CO2 readings
  • A refurbishment that improves airtightness

Guide prices

Commercial heat recovery units guide prices
WorkGuide price
Commercial heat recovery unit, supplied, installed and commissioned (per unit)£6,950–£24,950 + VAT
Small office or shop: heat recovery unit, ductwork and controls (up to about 150 m²) (per system)£7,950–£16,950 + VAT

Guide prices using West Midlands (our baseline) rates. Home prices include VAT at 20%; business prices exclude VAT. A guide price is not a quote: we confirm a fixed price in writing first. London is about 20% higher and the North East about 8% lower.

What happens, step by step

  1. Survey

    Occupancy, layout, voids and plant positions.

  2. Select

    Unit type and size, with running cost estimates.

  3. Install

    Unit, ducts, attenuators and controls.

  4. Commission

    Supply and extract balanced.

  5. Hand over

    Records and service schedule.

The rules that apply

England

In England, ventilation is covered by Part F of the Building Regulations and its guidance, Approved Document F (2021 edition). Workplaces must also be ventilated with a sufficient quantity of fresh or purified air under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.

Wales

Wales has its own Part F ventilation guidance, published by the Welsh Government, and work is checked by building control. The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 also apply, requiring sufficient fresh or purified air.

Scotland

In Scotland, ventilation is covered by the Building (Scotland) Regulations and section 3 of the Technical Handbooks, and most building work needs a building warrant first. The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 apply in Scotland too, requiring sufficient fresh or purified air.

Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, ventilation is covered by the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) and Technical Booklet K. Northern Ireland has its own Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1993 with the same duty to ventilate.

Questions people ask

How much does a commercial heat recovery unit cost?

A commercial heat recovery unit typically costs £6,950 to £24,950 excluding VAT supplied, installed and commissioned, depending on airflow, unit type and access.

Plate or rotary heat exchanger?

Plate exchangers keep the air streams completely separate; rotary wheels are usually more efficient and recover some moisture. The use of the space decides which is better.

Can heat recovery be added to an existing system?

Sometimes. Extract-only systems can often be upgraded to balanced supply and extract with a heat recovery unit.

Will it reduce heating bills?

Recovering heat from extract air usually reduces the heating needed for fresh air, especially in busy buildings with long operating hours.

How noisy are they?

Units are fitted with attenuators where needed so noise in occupied rooms stays at acceptable levels.

Do they need maintenance?

Filters, fans and exchangers need regular servicing, typically twice a year.

Related services

Galvanised ductwork hung from the roof of an industrial unit

Ductwork installation

Spiral and rectangular galvanised ductwork, hung, insulated and sealed.

From £45 + VAT per metre
Air quality monitor on a table in a classroom

Indoor air quality surveys

CO2, humidity and particulates logged for a week, with plain-English findings.

From £145 inc VAT per home

Commercial heat recovery units by area

Choose your area for local guide prices and the towns we cover.

Get a guide price in two minutes

Answer a few questions for a price range, or send photos and we will come back to you with a written quote.

Get a guide price0800 088 6341
CallGuide price