If you’re weighing up heat recovery ventilation for your home, the first question is almost always the same: what’s this going to cost me? It’s a fair question — and the honest answer is that an HRV system is priced on your home, not off a shelf. No two quotes are the same because no two homes are.
What we can do is explain exactly what goes into the cost, what pushes it up or down, and why running costs are lower than most people expect — so when you ask us for a price, you’ll understand what sits behind the number.
What you’re actually paying for
An HRV quote isn’t just “a machine.” The cost is made up of several parts:
- The HRV unit itself — the core machine with the heat exchanger and fans. Varies by brand, capacity and efficiency.
- Ducting and distribution (for centralised systems) — supply and extract ducts run to each room. This is often the biggest variable.
- Installation labour — mounting the unit, running ducts, sealing connections, electrical.
- Commissioning and balancing — measuring and tuning airflow at every grille so the system actually performs. Skipping this is the most common reason an installed HRV underperforms.
A decentralised system (individual through-wall units) has far less ducting, which is why it usually costs less to install — especially in an existing home.
What affects the cost of your HRV system
Every quote comes down to a handful of factors:
- System type — a decentralised (through-wall) setup and a ducted whole-home system are very different jobs.
- Home size and number of rooms — more rooms means more supply and extract points.
- Retrofit or new build — new builds let us plan ducting into the structure; retrofits are assessed case-by-case.
- Layout and access — single vs double storey, ceiling and roof access, and how far ducts need to run.
- Brand and specification — efficiency, filtration and noise ratings all play a part.
Because those factors vary so much from home to home, we don’t publish fixed prices — it would only mislead you. Instead, we give you a clear, fixed quote once we’ve looked at your home.
For pricing, contact us or call and we’ll arrange a measure and quote.
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Running costs: lower than you’d think
This is where HRV surprises people. A typical residential HRV unit draws about the same power as a single light bulb — so it costs very little to run.
And that ignores the saving on the other side: by recovering up to 90% of the heat from the air it extracts, an HRV system stops you paying to re-heat cold air you’ve let in through open windows or exhaust fans. In a cold climate, that recovery more than earns its keep across a winter.
Here’s how heat recovery ventilation actually works if you want the mechanics.
ACT rebates and finance
If you’re in the ACT, the Sustainable Household Scheme can help with the upfront cost through zero-interest finance and rebates for eligible households, where HRV forms part of a broader energy-efficiency upgrade. Your Passivhaus is an approved Sustainable Household Scheme supplier — contact us and we’ll help you check what you qualify for.
Supply-only vs fully installed
Not everyone needs us on site. We supply HRV systems Australia-wide for buyers and trades who want the right unit shipped to them, and we install across Canberra and roughly 1.5 hours out. If you’re outside the install area, a supply-only purchase with expert advice on specification is often the better path.
- Buying a unit? See Heat Recovery Ventilation Systems — Australia-wide.
- Want it installed in the ACT? See HRV supply & installation in Canberra.
Is an HRV system worth it?
For a well-sealed modern home, ventilation isn’t optional — it’s the difference between a healthy home and one with condensation, mould and stuffy, CO₂-heavy air. Weighed against the cost of remediating mould damage, the health impact of poor indoor air, and the energy wasted ventilating the old way, an HRV system is one of the better-value upgrades a sealed home can make.
The honest answer, though, is that “worth it” depends on your home. That’s what an assessment is for.
Get a price for your home
The only way to know your real cost is a proper look at your home. A home energy assessment checks your ventilation, airtightness and moisture loads so the HRV specification — and the price — matches your actual building.
Call us or get in touch for a transparent, fixed quote with no surprises.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an HRV system cost in Australia? It depends on your home. The main factors are the system type (decentralised vs ducted whole-home), your home’s size and layout, and whether it’s a retrofit or new build. Because every home is different, we don’t publish fixed prices — the best way to get an accurate figure is to contact us for a measure and quote.
Is an HRV system expensive to run? No. A typical unit draws about as much power as a single light bulb, and the heat it recovers offsets much of that running cost over a heating season.
Are there rebates for HRV systems in the ACT? The ACT Sustainable Household Scheme offers zero-interest finance and rebates for eligible households when HRV is part of an energy-efficiency upgrade. Your Passivhaus is an approved supplier and can help you check your eligibility — contact us to find out more.
Is it cheaper to retrofit HRV or install it in a new build? New builds are usually more cost-effective because ducting can be planned into the structure. Retrofits are very achievable, and decentralised systems in particular keep retrofit costs down by avoiding extensive ductwork.
Does the quote include balancing? Yes. Balancing (commissioning) is what makes the system perform, so it’s part of the job — not an optional extra. A cheaper quote that skips it isn’t really cheaper; it’s incomplete.