Earthwise Construction

Earthwise Construction Eco Design & Build / MVHR company based in Bristol.

🔨 The stage nobody puts on the brochure...Not many people post photos of a house once it's been completely gutted, but t...
09/06/2026

🔨 The stage nobody puts on the brochure...

Not many people post photos of a house once it's been completely gutted, but this is where the hard work starts.

We've recently started work on a home in Bristol that is being upgraded to the EnerPHit standard.

The property has been stripped back ready for a complete fabric-first upgrade that will significantly reduce heat loss, improve comfort and prepare the house for the low-carbon technologies that follow.

Over the coming months we'll be installing:

🌿 Wood fibre insulation
🪟 Triple-glazed windows and doors
🌬️ MVHR ventilation
♨️ Air source heat pump
☀️ Solar PV and battery storage

At the moment it might just look like a building site, but these early stages are where some of the most important work happens. The insulation, windows and airtightness upgrades will do most of the heavy lifting when it comes to reducing energy demand, creating the right foundation for the MVHR system, heat pump and solar PV to perform at their best.

We'll be sharing updates as the project progresses, so follow along to see the transformation unfold.

🏡 Project Revisit: The Crunnis EnerPHit Retrofit, BristolSome projects are worth revisiting, and The Crunnis remains one...
05/06/2026

🏡 Project Revisit: The Crunnis EnerPHit Retrofit, Bristol

Some projects are worth revisiting, and The Crunnis remains one of our favourite EnerPHit deep retrofit and remodelling projects.

Working alongside the homeowners, architect and wider design team, we helped transform an existing property into a high-performance, low-energy home certified to the EnerPHit standard.

The homeowners, Charley & Bryn, said:

💬 "We are very happy with our EnerPHit-certified home and would highly recommend Earthwise Construction to others looking to undertake an Eco or Passivhaus standard project."

What made this project particularly rewarding was the collaborative approach throughout. Deep retrofits are complex by nature, but through regular communication, careful planning and close coordination with the wider project team, challenges were resolved efficiently as they arose.

🎥 The case study also features a short film with the homeowners and project team discussing the retrofit journey, the technical challenges involved, and the lessons learned along the way.

Take a look at the full project and video here:

https://www.earthwiseconstruction.co.uk/case-study/the-crunnis/

Thinking about a deep retrofit, EnerPHit or Passivhaus project? We'd be happy to discuss your plans.

Good MVHR systems start long before installation 👇Detailed design plays a huge role in:✔ Performance✔ Airflow✔ Noise red...
28/05/2026

Good MVHR systems start long before installation 👇

Detailed design plays a huge role in:
✔ Performance
✔ Airflow
✔ Noise reduction
✔ Installation quality
✔ Long-term maintenance

At Earthwise, we create installation-focused MVHR layouts designed for real-world performance and long-term usability.

Read more in our latest blog:
https://www.earthwiseconstruction.co.uk/mvhr-design-process/

We provide a complete turnkey MVHR solution:
Design • Supply • Install • Commission

Get in touch for a chat or visit our website to find out more.

Last week, the Earthwise Construction team helped complete the new stand setup at the National Self Build & Renovation...
19/05/2026

Last week, the Earthwise Construction team helped complete the new stand setup at the National Self Build & Renovation Centre ahead of The National Self Build & Renovation Show.

If you visited the show, you may have seen some of the latest additions to the stand - including updated MVHR displays, new indoor climate solutions, and the brilliant new Zehnder QuizBuzz arcade machine testing visitors’ climate knowledge 👏

The Zehnder stand (TV203) continues to be a fantastic place for homeowners, self-builders and renovators to explore:

- MVHR systems and indoor air quality solutions

- Low-energy home design ideas

- Designer radiators and heating solutions

- Sustainable building technologies

As a Zehnder Approved Partner, Earthwise Construction regularly supports visitors on the stand with practical advice around MVHR design, installation, retrofit projects, Passivhaus principles and low-energy homes.

Even though the main show has now finished, you can still arrange to meet the Earthwise team at the NSBRC and discuss your own project.

👉 Book a visit here:
https://www.earthwiseconstruction.co.uk/meet-earthwise-construction-at-the-national-self-build-renovation-centre/

One of the most common questions we hear from homeowners, architects and contractors is:“What actually happens during an...
13/05/2026

One of the most common questions we hear from homeowners, architects and contractors is:

“What actually happens during an MVHR installation?”

We’ve just published a new step-by-step guide explaining how MVHR installation works for both new build and retrofit projects.

From site surveys and ductwork installation through to commissioning and handover, the blog breaks down the full process in simple terms for:

🏡 Homeowners
🛠 Self-builders
📐 Architects
🏗 Contractors & building professionals

If you’re planning a low-energy home or renovation project, understanding the installation sequence early can help avoid costly clashes and improve long-term system performance.

Read the full guide : MVHR Installation: https://www.earthwiseconstruction.co.uk/mvhr-installation-explained/

Please feel free to get in touch for a chat with one of our MVHR experts.


A 1950s house. No ventilation. Now Fully transformed.We’ve recently completed an MVHR retrofit project in St Andrews, Br...
28/04/2026

A 1950s house. No ventilation. Now Fully transformed.

We’ve recently completed an MVHR retrofit project in St Andrews, Bristol - turning a previously unventilated home into a comfortable, low-energy living space.

💨 No condensation
🌡️ Consistent temperatures
🌿 Fresh, filtered air throughout

As insulation and airtightness improved, ventilation became critical - and that’s where MVHR made the difference.

This project included:

Full MVHR design, supply, installation & commissioning

A Zehnder CAQ350 system (91% heat recovery)

Careful duct routing through tight retrofit constraints

Close collaboration with the wider design & build team

A great example of what’s possible when MVHR is integrated early in a retrofit 👇

Big thanks to the team:
👉 Barefoot Architects
👉 Missiato Design and Build
👉 Greenflare

“The house is comfortable to live in, the temperature and air quality is good. Visitors comment on it.”

If you're planning a retrofit or energy-efficient home, MVHR should be part of the conversation.

🔗 Read the full case study on our website: https://www.earthwiseconstruction.co.uk/case-study/mvhr-retrofit-in-a-1950s-detached-home/

We’re proud to share this recent feedback from a pre-school project.“Earthwise did a fantastic job and our pre-school no...
14/04/2026

We’re proud to share this recent feedback from a pre-school project.

“Earthwise did a fantastic job and our pre-school now have a fully functioning MVHR system thanks to Ben, Ollie and their amazing team. We were left in a tricky situation with missing parts and an unclear design but Earthwise were not phased by this and were fully supportive and professional from start to finish. Would highly recommend.”

We’re delighted we could help resolve a challenging situation and deliver a positive outcome. Projects like this really matter to us - not just getting systems up and running, but ensuring they make a lasting difference.

This nursery will now benefit from great ventilation, helping to create a healthier environment for the children, alongside improved energy efficiency from the MVHR system.

Thanks again for trusting our team 🤝 💚

Got an MVHR mission for us? Get in touch with our friendly team.

https://www.earthwiseconstruction.co.uk/service/mvhr/

MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery) is fast becoming essential in modern, energy-efficient homes - and for ...
08/04/2026

MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery) is fast becoming essential in modern, energy-efficient homes - and for good reason.

✔ Lower heating bills
✔ Cleaner, healthier air
✔ Reduced carbon footprint
✔ A more comfortable living environment

Whether you're building, renovating, or upgrading your home’s performance, MVHR delivers lasting benefits.

We provide a complete, turnkey MVHR solution - from design through to installation - making the process efficient and stress-free.

Learn more: https://www.earthwiseconstruction.co.uk/service/mvhr/


01/04/2026

In this video, Ben explains how the MVHR system works at goldfinch.createandplay ateandplay, a Passive House certified building in Bristol where we installed two Zehnder MVHR systems to provide continuous fresh air while recovering heat from the extracted air.

In low energy and airtight buildings, MVHR is essential - it provides fresh filtered air, removes moisture and maintains efficiency without losing heat.

Back in 2023 we completed Goldfinch Create and Play in Bristol as main contractor - a multiple award-winning Passive House certified creative space and café, and the first café in the UK built to the Passive House standard.

The project achieved an airtightness result of 0.43 ACH@50Pa and included a super-insulated raft foundation, timber frame structure, triple glazing, solar PV, air source heat pump and MVHR ventilation.

If you're planning a project and want to get MVHR right, talk to us about design, supply and installation.

Watch the full project video and read the full story on our website:
https://www.earthwiseconstruction.co.uk/case-study/goldfinch-create-and-play/

24/03/2026

We were recently called in on an insurance-led MVHR Paul Thermos unit replacement... but something wasn’t adding up.

The new system had been installed, yet it was failing to achieve its performance targets, one supply valve was not showing any reading even though it was at the beginning of a rigid system run.

After further investigation, the issue became clear.

A section of the ducting system had been incorrectly installed, with flexible ducting used where rigid connections should have been.

Over time, this had completely perished and come adrift, leading to significant air leakage and poor system performance.

🎥 [Video shows the issue clearly]

This is a good example of how:

➡️ Small installation shortcuts can have a big impact on system performance
➡️ MVHR systems are only as good as the quality of the ductwork installation
➡️ When systems don’t perform, it’s often not the unit - but the install

Fortunately, our engineer had the correct materials on hand and was able to:

✔️ Remove the faulty section
✔️ Reinstate proper rigid duct connections
✔️ Restore the system to expected performance

💡 The takeaway?
Attention to detail in ducting isn’t optional - it’s essential for delivering the performance MVHR systems are designed for.

Have a question about MVHR? Find out more on our website or speak to our friendly, knowledgeable team
https://www.earthwiseconstruction.co.uk/service/mvhr/

Address

Windmill Hill City Farm, Philip St, Bedminster
Bristol
BS34EA

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+441173182269

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