As Jason Bennett, National Business Development Manager at Zehnder Group UK explains, with offsite construction, every millimetre matters – especially when dealing with ventilation.

FINDING ROOM for ventilation can become a major design headache. Many installers describe fitting Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) units into compact buildings as ‘a game of Tetris’ – squeezing equipment into ceiling voids, cupboards or service zones while maintaining accessibility for installation and future maintenance. In offsite manufacturing environments, where repeatability, efficiency and precision are critical, these constraints can
create unnecessary complexity.

Zehnder’s new ultra-slim MVHR, EVO, is Passivhaus certified and removes many traditional barriers to specification. At just 210mm deep, it can be installed
within ceiling voids, slimline cupboards and pitched roofs where conventional systems won’t fit. Its ability to be mounted horizontally, vertically or at an angle gives designers greater freedom when integrating ventilation into factory-built modules.

Flexible bi-directional spigots also maintain smooth airflow regardless of orientation, while a double-rotating condensate drain removes the need for inclination during installation. These small design features can significantly simplify factory assembly, reduce installation complexity and minimise co-ordination challenges on-site. This creates greater freedom in pod and module design – opening opportunities to incorporate MVHR into developments that once were considered unsuitable. The Zehnder EVO delivers up to 90% heat recovery efficiency, incorporates a 100% summer bypass to help
combat overheating, and features integrated acoustic insulation and anti-vibration mounts to enhance occupant comfort.