INDOOR AIR QUALITY


Addressing the invisible threat to health


Research shows we spend 80-90% of our lives indoors, so the quality of the air we breathe inside plays a vital role in the quality of our daily lives, impacting both productivity and long-term health – Tony Croke argues that modern MVHR solutions can make a difference.


Tony Croke www.wavin.com/gb


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Product manager, indoor climate solutions at Wavin


cause visible damage to a building, including peeling paint, warped timber, and condensation build up, all of which can compromise the long-term durability of a property and lead to costly repairs, or even decrease the value of the property.


t’s easy to assume that air pollution is only an outdoor problem, but a study conducted by the University of Birmingham discovered air pollutants inside UK living areas can be more harmful than the air outdoors. Poor indoor ventilation is closely linked to problems like mould, damp, and a build-up of indoor pollutants – all of which can increase the risk of respiratory issues and reduce quality of life for those living or working in these spaces. Standards for airtightness in new


properties are rising following updates to legislation such as the UK Building Regulations and the upcoming Future Homes Standard. While this improves energy efficiency, it also reduces the natural exchange of air with the outdoors. As a result, everyday activities like cooking and cleaning or even breathing can contribute to higher levels of humidity and airborne contaminants indoors. Without proper ventilation, common culprits for ill health like mould spores and fine dust particles can linger in the air, potentially triggering allergies and respiratory issues like asthma. But the effects aren’t limited to health. Poor indoor air quality can also


Everyday activities such as cooking can trigger a significant rise in humidity levels


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Smarter solutions Tackling indoor air quality issues often starts with one key solution: ventilation. But not all ventilation solutions are created equal. Many buildings rely on extractor fans or simply opening a window to create ventilation indoors. Unfortunately, these systems can lower the indoor temperature by letting heat escape, increase energy bills and fail to provide consistent air quality, meaning they’re far from the complete solution. Built environment professionals


are instead encouraged to invest in smarter, more efficient air management solutions to provide occupants with proper protection.


Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) systems provide a constant supply of fresh air while retaining heat for greater efficiency.


Energy boost MVHR solutions work by drawing stale, humid air out of ‘wet’ rooms like kitchens and bathrooms whilst simultaneously supplying living spaces like bedrooms with filtered fresh air. Such systems can boost energy efficiency through a heat exchanger, which captures heat from the stale, outgoing air and uses it to warm the fresh, incoming outdoor air, reducing


Tackling indoor air quality issues often starts with one key solution: ventilation


The quality of the air we breathe can make a big difference to productivity in working environments


the energy needed to heat the building to a comfortable temperature. What makes the Wavin range a


particularly powerful MVHR solution is how its intelligent control system responds to changing indoor conditions. It increases airflow when humidity rises indoors and reduces it when not needed - ensuring it delivers maximum comfort and energy efficiency for the end user. These systems also help maintain


healthy indoor air quality by offering a selection of filter grades that reduce dust, pollen, and road pollution entering the home from outside. The system’s ducting further acts as a barrier to harmful airborne spores thanks to its anti-bacterial and anti- fungal properties.


Keeping compliant As the UK continues its work to cut energy bills and reduce reliance on carbon heating, new regulations and consumer demands are putting pressure on built environment professionals to come up with answers. New properties are now expected to


come with heating systems that keep bills low whilst lowering carbon and improving quality of life for occupants. MVHR gives the industry a chance to tick as many regulatory and consumer demand boxes as possible in one go, by fitting homes and offices with ventilation that reduces energy waste, lowers long-term running costs, and adds real value to new homes. ■


EIBI | OCTOBER 2025


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