Keep it clean
Robert Dennis of Airflow Developments explains why installing an effective ventilation system is so crucial to health, and how best to approach it
footprint of their property. However, this means that installing an effective ventilation system is vital to the removal of potentially harmful indoor air contaminants and ensuring that the property benefits from clean, fresh air. The UK Government is committed by law to
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deliver a 50 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in the built environment by 2025. As a result, Building Regulations are becoming more stringent, meaning self-builders are under pressure to make their homes as energy efficient as possible. Playing a fundamental role in this is the need
to make a property as airtight as possible – and capable of retaining warm and cooled air effectively. An airtight home will help to reduce energy bills and minimise its day-to-day impact on the environment. However, a sealed building can be more susceptible to damp, mould and condensation, especially in areas such as kitchens and bathrooms. Over 50 per cent of us have experienced damp or mould in our home and without effective ventilation, this can cause the building fabric to deteriorate and lead to potentially serious health problems for homeowners. For example, over 15 million homes in the UK
are at risk of Toxic Home Syndrome. This is a condition where a person’s health declines as a result of poor indoor air quality. The extent of the problem has been revealed with high-profile reports such as the Royal College of Physicians’ ‘Every Breath We Take: the lifelong impact of air pollution’ being published in national news- papers. Worryingly, the report warns those exposed to poor indoor air quality are at risk of major health conditions such as cancer, asthma, heart disease and obesity. Cognitive functions, including concentration
and productivity at work, were also shown to be negatively affected by poor indoor air quality. Given that people spend around 90 per cent of their time indoors and that the average adult requires 15,000 litres of clean air every day, it is crucial that people are made aware of the ventilation solutions available.
Central extract ventilation
Central extract ventilation – also known as Mechanical Extract Ventilation (MEV) – is a
elf-builders are encouraged to make their homes as airtight as possible to maximise energy efficiency and reduce the carbon
continual form of ventilation. Ideal for residential properties, a centrally mounted unit is typically installed in a loft space or cupboard. The unit is then ducted around the home to each wet room, for example, a kitchen or bathroom, and extracts the moist air from the room – preventing damp and mould from developing. Units are available where the level of ventilation can be adjusted based on changes to the quality of air in the dwelling – for example, increasing ventilation if increased moisture is detected in the air. This ensures that excess moisture is swiftly removed from the room. This cost-effective, low-energy method of ventilation offers vital whole house protection against harmful air pollutants Localised versions, known as decentralised
MEV (dMEV) units are also available. These single room fans can be mounted in wet rooms for quieter, constant extraction. These units offer multiple trickle and boost speed functions available to suit the homeowner’s requirements.
Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery
Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems don’t just remove air contaminants, they also recover otherwise lost heat. Essentially, these units take the stale air from inside the home and extract energy from it via a heat exchanger recovering heat that would normally be lost as part of the usual ven- tilation process. This energy is used to pre-warm clean fresh air that is continually being brought in from outside, which is then filtered and circu- lated around the home. MVHR units also offer increased levels of con-
trol to suit varying climates. During the summer months, the units’ summer bypass facility uses dampers to isolate the heat exchanger. This means that no unnecessary heat recovery takes place and only cool air is being circulated; min- imising overheating in the home. Many industry experts now view MVHR units
as the best whole house ventilation solution – due to the presence of an air filtration system. By specifying a high-quality filter, an MVHR unit can prevent pollutants as small as pollen from entering the property – ideal for those with allergies. Furthermore, these units can reduce yearly heating bills. Depending on factors such
as the efficiency of the heat exchanger, systems can return cost savings of up to £350 a year. This is a result of the reduced time needed to heat the property, as less heat is leaving the building. For enhanced efficiency, MVHR units are now
available with smart control technology, to mon- itor and immediately adjust ventilation at home, or ‘on the go.’ They can provide real-time monitoring and control of the indoor air environment. Once registered to a cloud service, the parameters and settings of the system can be monitored and controlled via a computer or mobile device. These units can be designed with various dif-
ferent profiles to choose from, meaning home- owners are able to programme the units accord- ing to their personal routines and preferences. For example, setting ventilation to an ‘Away’ profile during workdays will avoid unnecessary air being filtered into the premises. This will, therefore, reduce energy costs and wastage. For self-builders, embarking on building a
dream property is a huge undertaking. Protecting the fabric of that home for the long- term and ensuring that those living within it ben- efit from the clean and healthy air is vital. As such, it is worthwhile talking to a reputable man- ufacturer that can provide support and guidance to ensure whatever ventilation system is selected, it is fit for purpose.
Robert Dennis is product marketing executive at Airflow Developments
MVHR UNITS ARE NOW AVAILABLE WITH SMART CONTROL TECHNOLOGY TO MONITOR AND ADJUST VENTILATION REMOTELY
Enq. 122 selfbuilder & homemaker
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