Heat Recovery Ventilation Calculator 2026 — Savings

With annual heating of PLN 6,000, ventilation causing 40% of heat loss and 70% recovery efficiency, annual savings are about PLN 1,680. Savings grow with heating cost and unit efficiency.

It is the percentage of heat recovered from exhaust air and transferred to supply air. Cross-flow units: 50–70%, counter-flow: 80–90%, rotary: 85–95%. Higher efficiency means more savings and a higher price.

For a roughly 150 m² home, about PLN 18,000–35,000: the unit, ducts, diffusers, intake/exhaust and installation. The calculator assumes PLN 25,000.

Payback equals installation cost divided by annual savings. At PLN 25,000 and PLN 1,680/year, payback is about 15 years; faster in homes with high heating costs.

Gravity ventilation causes 30–50% of heat loss. In well-insulated homes the share reaches 50%, making HRV most worthwhile there. The calculator defaults to 40%.

In an old, uninsulated house heat escapes mainly through walls and windows, so HRV savings are lower. Insulate the building first, then install HRV.

A steady supply of fresh, filtered air without opening windows, reduced humidity and mould, pollen and smog filtration, quieter rooms and thermal comfort — benefits the savings figure alone does not capture.

Mainly fan electricity (PLN 200–500/year) and filter replacement (PLN 150–400/year), totalling about PLN 350–900 a year. Heating savings usually exceed these costs.

HRV may qualify for the thermo-modernisation tax relief (up to PLN 53,000) or the Clean Air programme when replacing a heat source. Terms change — check current programmes locally and at NFOŚiGW.

It estimates savings and payback from heating cost, efficiency and ventilation share. It excludes running costs, energy price growth and subsidies. Results are indicative.