PHAM NEWS | MARCH 2026 Ventilation & Heat Recovery
Improving air quality and eliminating mould growth
By resolving issues such as damp and mould, eff ective ventilation can help to prevent potential health problems. John Felgate, MD at Stiebel Eltron UK, looks at the latest regulations and how whole house ventilation systems can make a diff erence.
shifts in housing standards this generation. Named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak who tragically died after prolonged exposure to damp and mould in social housing, the law is designed to ensure hazardous living conditions are no longer treated as a low-priority maintenance issue. Instead, landlords now have a
A
clear legal duty to investigate and resolve issues, marking a decisive move toward accountability and prevention in the housing sector. The law changes what is
expected of those who let, manage and build homes, delivering stringent requirements which must be met when complaints are raised by a resident. Remedial work must be
carried out within mandated deadlines and, where homes are deemed unsafe to occupy, the responsibility of fi nding alternative accommodation will fall on the landlord. Crucially, any organisation or
private landlord which fails to meet these new responsibilities runs the risk of suff ering signifi cant legal and reputational ramifi cations.
Preventative measures The true power of Awaab’s Law is not in the issues it will resolve, but in the mindset shift it will inspire – less emphasis on reactive repairs and more on preventative, resident-focused solutions. With scrutiny intensifi ed, it
will have a signifi cant impact on the way in which new homes are designed and built. Build quality, airtightness and ventilation will no longer be matters of best practice but will become fundamental elements of legal responsibility. For installers, this shift places greater emphasis on delivering
John Felgate MD at Stiebel Eltron UK
waab’s Law, which came into force in October last year, represents one of the most signifi cant
ventilation systems that are not only compliant on paper, but properly commissioned and balanced in real-world conditions. As standards evolve, installers will increasingly be seen as key partners in ensuring homes perform as intended, rather than simply fi tting equipment to specifi cation.
Air movement For those developers who fail to consider how moisture moves through a building or how fresh air is supplied and stale air removed, they risk creating homes which quickly fall short of both regulatory expectations and the needs of residents. Awaab’s Law brings into
Installers can play a direct role in reducing damp and mould risks while helping homes meet regulatory and performance expectations
CUT TO THE CHASE
Awaab’s Law means that there should be less emphasis on reactive repairs and more on preventative measures
Damp and mould are rarely a cosmetic issue, but a visible result of fundamental problems within a dwelling
Whole-house ventilation systems manage humidity levels by operating continually at low levels rather than intermittently
Installers are on the front line when it comes to providing healthier living environments
sharp focus the critical role of preventing the conditions it is designed to eliminate. Damp and mould are rarely a cosmetic issue, but a visible result of fundamental problems within a dwelling. Whether it is trapped moisture, poor airfl ow, insuffi cient air changes, or all the above, mould is the product of a contributing factor. It is not something which only
aff ects older buildings too. Modern housing, which is increasingly airtight in the pursuit of energy effi ciency, can unintentionally trap humidity and stale air indoors. Everyday activities such as cooking, showering and drying clothes release large amounts of vapour into the air, which condenses on cold surfaces to create an environment where mould thrives. This creates both a challenge
and an opportunity for installers. As homes become more airtight, ventilation design and installation must be considered alongside heating systems from the outset. Correct sizing, ductwork layout, airfl ow settings and user handover all play a crucial role in preventing moisture issues before they arise. Mould spores have a
detrimental eff ect on human health, with prolonged exposure
linked to respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and persistent coughing. It also risks exacerbating existing allergies and compromising immune systems, particularly in children, older people and those with underlying health conditions. Meanwhile, the build-up of
fi ne particulates and carbon dioxide indoors can contribute to headaches, fatigue, poor sleep and reduced cognitive function. For landlords and developers,
moving to a preventative approach is far more eff ective and cost-effi cient than repeated, reactive repairs, and shows a heightened duty of care to residents.
Humidity management This is where whole-house ventilation systems play an important role, helping to continuously extract moist, stale air from areas such as kitchens and bathrooms while supplying fresh, fi ltered air to living spaces and bedrooms. They operate at continuously
low levels, rather than intermittently. This helps manage humidity while improving air quality by diluting and removing airborne pollutants which stem from everyday activities. For installers, attention to
detail during commissioning is essential. Even a high-quality system can underperform if airfl ow rates are not properly set or if residents are not shown how to operate controls eff ectively. Installer training in ventilation technologies will therefore be increasingly important in delivering the outcomes Awaab’s Law is designed to achieve. Additionally, by extracting
moisture-laden air from a home, modern systems recover heat from outgoing air to warm the fresh air, maintaining an ambient temperature which reduces a reliance on additional heating. The result is a healthier indoor environment which doesn’t
compromise energy effi ciency. At a time when fuel costs and carbon reduction targets across Britain’s homes remain high on the national agenda, the importance of this cannot be overstated.
On the front line Installers are on the front line of creating healthier homes. By advising developers, landlords and homeowners on the right ventilation strategy – and ensuring systems are correctly installed and maintained – they can play a direct role in reducing damp and mould risks while helping homes meet both regulatory and performance expectations. While Awaab’s Law sets
out new regulations, it also represents a clear opportunity for the industry to rethink how healthy homes are delivered in practice. Installers have an increasingly important role to play in this transition – not just as product fi tters, but as trusted technical advisers who can guide developers and landlords towards eff ective, future-proof solutions. By prioritising well-designed
and correctly commissioned ventilation systems, installers can help ensure homes are protected against damp and mould from day one. In doing so, they support compliance, improve resident wellbeing and help reduce costly remedial work later down the line. As expectations around
indoor air quality continue to rise, those installers who invest in understanding ventilation technologies and best-practice design will be best placed to support the housing sector’s move towards genuinely healthy, high-performing homes. Ultimately, delivering safe, comfortable and energy-effi cient living environments will depend on collaboration across the supply chain – and installers will be central to making that vision a reality. ◼
phamnews.co.uk/326/54
33
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40
