A ventilation engineer designs and installs ventilation systems to comply with Building Regulations Part F and to maintain indoor air quality. The UK's increasingly airtight building stock means that adequate mechanical ventilation is now a Building Regulations requirement in most new dwellings, and a growing priority in retrofit. Ventilation engineers range from domestic installers fitting extract fans and whole-house MEV systems to commercial HVAC contractors designing and installing large air handling units.
What they do
- Design ventilation strategies to comply with Part F (dwellings and buildings other than dwellings)
- Install bathroom and kitchen continuous or intermittent extract fans
- Install whole-house MEV systems with central fan and ductwork
- Install and commission MVHR systems including heat exchanger unit and duct network
- Install PIV (Positive Input Ventilation) units to address condensation
- Design and install commercial air handling units (AHUs) and ductwork
- Commission and balance airflows to Part F design values
- Prepare commissioning certificates and SAP ventilation data for EPC
- Maintain and service MVHR filters and heat exchanger cores
- Carry out air quality testing and CO2 monitoring
When you need one
Ventilation compliance is required for all new dwellings and major works - and is increasingly important for retrofit projects addressing condensation and indoor air quality.
Typical costs (UK, 2025)
| Job type | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Single extract fan (supply+fit) | £150 - £350 |
| Bathroom or kitchen continuous extract fan | £200 - £450 |
| MEV whole-house system (supply+install) | £800 - £2,000 |
| MVHR system (supply+install) | £3,000 - £6,000 |
| Commercial ventilation system | POA |
| Commissioning and testing | £200 - £500 |
MVHR costs vary significantly by house size, airtightness and ductwork complexity. A semi-rigid radial duct system (easier to install in retrofit) costs more than rigid rectangular ductwork in new build. Always include commissioning in the quoted price.
Qualifications to look for
BPEC (Building Engineering Services Competence Assessment) offers ventilation-specific qualifications including MVHR installer certification. Check at bpec.org.uk.
Vocational qualification covering domestic and commercial ventilation system design, installation and commissioning.
Trade association for the UK ventilation industry. VIF members are committed to good practice and Part F compliance.
How to find a reputable ventilation engineer
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between MEV and MVHR?
MEV (Mechanical Extract Ventilation) extracts stale air from wet rooms continuously but does not supply fresh air. MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery) extracts stale air from wet rooms AND supplies fresh filtered air to living spaces, while recovering up to 90% of the heat that would otherwise be lost. MVHR is significantly more efficient but more expensive to install and requires a sealed building envelope to work well.
When does Part F require mechanical ventilation?
Building Regulations Part F requires adequate ventilation in all habitable rooms. For new dwellings, the air permeability target in the SAP calculation determines the appropriate ventilation strategy: very airtight homes (below 5 m3/h.m2 at 50Pa) should use MVHR or MEV. All bathrooms and kitchens require extract ventilation regardless of airtightness.
Can I fit an extract fan myself?
A simple bathroom extract fan connected to an existing switched circuit via a flex connection (not new wiring) can be DIY-fitted. Any new circuit, any work in a bathroom zone 1 or 2, or any work involving wiring modifications requires a Part P registered electrician or notification to Building Control. MVHR and MEV systems should always be installed by a qualified ventilation specialist.