The total price of a heat recovery installation depends on four main factors: the unit itself, materials (ducts, fittings), installation labour, and any preparatory building work.
Price guide 2026
How Much Does Heat Recovery Cost — Price Guide 2026
From a single room unit at €400 to a complete whole-house system at €8,000 — heat recovery prices vary widely. This guide breaks down real costs by system type, home size, and installation approach so you can plan your budget accurately.
At a glance
Heat recovery prices at a glance
Single room unit
€400–€1,200
One decentralized unit installed. Ideal for bedrooms, living rooms, or offices.
Apartment (3–4 rooms)
€1,500–€4,500
3–4 decentralized units with professional installation. Most popular choice for flats.
Whole house (central)
€3,500–€8,000
Central unit + ductwork + installation. Best for new builds with 4–6 rooms.
Detailed breakdown
What makes up the total cost?
Central system — cost breakdown
| Component | Price range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Air handling unit | €1,500–€4,000 | Depends on capacity, brand, features (app control, bypass) |
| Ductwork (EPP/steel) | €500–€1,500 | 150 m² house, ~40–60 m of ducts + fittings |
| Air valves & accessories | €200–€500 | Supply and extract valves, silencers, outside wall caps |
| Installation labour | €1,000–€2,500 | 2–3 days for a typical family house |
| Total | €3,500–€8,000 | For a 120–180 m² family house |
Decentralized system — cost breakdown
| Component | Price range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Heat recovery unit | €400–€1,200 each | Price depends on efficiency, noise level, smart features |
| Wall sleeve & accessories | €30–€80 each | Insulated wall tube, rain cap, inner cover |
| Core drilling | €100–€200 each | Professional drilling of 160 mm wall hole |
| Total per room | €530–€1,480 | Fully installed, one room |
| Total (4 rooms) | €2,100–€5,900 | Typical apartment or small house |
Price factors
What affects the price?
- House size — Larger homes need bigger central units or more decentralized units. A 200 m² house costs 30–50% more than a 100 m² apartment.
- System type — Central systems are cheaper per room in large houses (5+ rooms); decentralized is cheaper for apartments and small homes.
- Wall material — Core drilling through reinforced concrete costs more than brick or aerated block. Ask your installer about wall structure.
- Unit quality — Budget units (€400) have lower efficiency (75–80%) and no smart features. Premium units (€800–1,200) achieve 90–93% with app control and humidity sensors.
- Duct material (central) — EPP ducts (pre-insulated) cost more upfront but save on insulation labour. Steel ducts are cheaper but need separate insulation.
- Building phase — Installing during construction (rough-in stage) is 30–40% cheaper than retrofitting into a finished building.
Save on costs
DIY vs professional installation
Can you save money by doing it yourself? It depends on the system type:
Decentralized — partial DIY possible
- Core drilling — Leave this to a professional (€100–200). Wrong drilling can hit rebar or pipes.
- Unit mounting — DIY-friendly. Slide the unit into the wall sleeve, seal edges, connect to power.
- Potential savings: €50–100 per unit (skip the mounting labour).
Central — professional recommended
- System design — Airflow calculations and duct sizing require HVAC expertise. Incorrect design leads to poor performance.
- Duct installation — Possible as DIY if you have building skills, but mistakes are hard to fix once covered.
- Commissioning — Balancing airflow at each valve requires measuring tools and experience.
- Potential savings: €500–1,000 if you install ducts yourself (during construction only).
Return on investment
When does it pay for itself?
Typical ROI for a family home in Central Europe
A well-installed heat recovery system reduces heating costs by 30–50%. With rising energy prices, the payback period is getting shorter every year.
€400–700
Annual heating savings
5–8 years
Typical payback period
15–25 years
System lifespan
After the payback period, the energy savings are pure profit. Over a 20-year lifespan, a heat recovery system typically saves €6,000–€12,000 in heating costs — several times the initial investment. And that's before considering the health benefits of continuously filtered fresh air.
Not sure about the numbers for your specific situation? Read our guide to choosing heat recovery for your home or request a personalised calculation below.
Get an exact price for your home
Every building is different. Send us your details and our engineers will prepare a personalised quote with exact costs — free of charge, no obligations.