VENTILATION & AIR MOVEMENT
www.heatingandventilating.net
alongside insulation as part of the same building performance strategy. A refurbishment that reduces heat loss but creates condensation problems cannot be considered successful. The objective is to replace uncontrolled ventilation
with controlled ventilation. Older buildings often relied on unintended air
Above: Simon Trenerry CSDV, technical advisor at Safeguard Europe
leakage through poorly fi tting windows, chimneys and gaps within the building fabric. While this removed moisture, it also wasted energy. Modern refurbishment seeks to eliminate these heat losses while introducing planned ventilation that removes moisture where and when it is needed. Mechanical extraction remains one of the most eff ective ways of achieving this balance. Kitchens, washrooms and other high-moisture areas should remove water vapour at source before it has the opportunity to circulate through the building. Continuous or demand-controlled systems can help maintain healthy humidity levels while using relatively little energy. Regular inspection and maintenance are equally important to ensure systems continue to perform as designed throughout the life of
How to ventilate eff ectively without excessive heat loss
For decades, ventilation and energy effi ciency were often viewed as competing priorities. If a building felt damp, the answer was to open a window. If it felt cold, seal every draught. Today, refurbishment professionals know the challenge is achieving both warmth and eff ective moisture control, explains Simon Trenerry CSDV, technical advisor at Safeguard Europe
A
cross damp and mould remediation projects, Safeguard regularly works with contractors, surveyors, housing providers
and building owners tackling the challenges of improving building performance. One misconception that frequently arises is that better ventilation inevitably comes at the expense of heat retention. In reality, eff ective ventilation is about controlling air movement, removing excess moisture while minimising unnecessary heat loss. As refurbishment projects improve thermal
performance through insulation, upgraded glazing and increased airtightness, they also change how
22 October 2026
buildings behave. Moisture that once escaped through gaps in the building envelope can become trapped indoors if ventilation is overlooked. Every occupied building generates moisture. Homes
produce humidity through cooking and bathing, while commercial premises create moisture from kitchens, washrooms, cleaning regimes and occupancy itself. Without eff ective extraction, humidity rises, condensation forms on colder surfaces and mould is rarely far behind. Left unchecked, excessive moisture can also aff ect fi nishes, reduce the lifespan of building materials and contribute to poorer indoor air quality. This is why ventilation should be considered
the building. Ventilation should also be considered across the whole building rather than as a room-by-room exercise. Improvements such as new insulation or replacement windows inevitably alter airfl ow patterns. Unless ventilation is reviewed at the same time, these changes can create unexpected condensation risks. Equally important is ensuring the building is
dry before thermal improvements begin. Rising damp, penetrating damp and water ingress introduce moisture that ventilation alone cannot solve. Addressing these defects fi rst provides the foundation for successful refurbishment. Building type and occupancy also infl uence
ventilation requirements. Older solid-wall buildings behave very diff erently from modern construction, while heavily occupied buildings naturally generate more moisture than lightly used spaces. Understanding both the building and how it is used is essential when specifying ventilation. For refurbishment professionals, the goal should
be to create buildings that are comfortable, effi cient and resilient. Eff ective ventilation does not undermine energy effi ciency; it supports it. By removing excess moisture in a controlled way, ventilation helps insulation perform as intended, reduces the risk of condensation and mould, protects the building fabric and contributes to healthier indoor environments. Ultimately, successful refurbishment is about
balance. When insulation, airtightness and ventilation are considered together from the outset, buildings are far more likely to remain warm, dry and perform as intended long after the project has been completed. To explore these issues in more detail, join one of Safeguard’s free webinars covering the prevention, diagnosis and remediation of damp and mould, including the role ventilation plays in managing moisture and supporting long-term building performance: https://safeguardeurope. com/webinars.
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