Let's face it, homes aren't what they used to be.
It good ways and bad ways.
The focus on energy efficient improvements to reduce our heating bills and save the planet as resulted in an unintended consequence of poor indoor air quality.
It's poor because we've sealed up our homes with insulation and double glazing so it's harder to breathe - we carry on using toxic products and spend more and more time spent indoors - and we're suffering with more allergies and health issues, all related to something we can't even see.
AIR
Ventilation is a key ingredient to good indoor air quality.
What is ventilaton anyway?
It is the intentional introduction of outdoor air into a space and is mainly used to control indoor air quality by diluting and displacing indoor pollutants; it can also be used for purposes of thermal comfort or dehumidification. Anything that gets the air moving is positive!
Here's 5 reasons why you need good ventilation in your home
Most people don't associate health problems with the air in their homes, yet there are as many as 900 chemicals and pollutants in the air we are breathing indoors and indoor Air can be 5 times more polluted than outdoors.
- To eliminate condensation which causes damage to the home
- To create a healthier living environment and reduce asthma
- To help alleviate symptoms of hay-fever and allergies to pets and other organic matter
- To lessen the impact of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) found in cleaning products
- To ensure a comfortable indoor environment all year round - free from excessive moisture!
Good right?
What type of ventilation is good?
You can open a window right? This is what we call 'rapid' ventilation. It works, obviously, but it's not always practical or secure and do you want to open the window in the middle of January when it's minus 5 outside? No we didn't think so.
Uncontrolled ventilation like opening a window is just that. uncontrolled and unmeasurable, and isn't sustainable, especially when it comes to indoor air quality because it's not just moisture and odours that need extracting, but all of the other pollutants that you can't see and often can't smell. If air is left to find it's own way in and out of the home it will travel around often taking the moisture and smells with it!
Mechanical Ventilation is crucial to a modern home. This is a controlled form of ventilation which comes in many different types but that can be measured and calculated to meet the requirements of your home and your needs.
Mechanical ventilation for homes can be
- Bathroom and Kitchen Extract Fans
Usually installed through the wall, in the ceiling or sometimes within the ducting.
The Air Shop recommends continuous ventilation for optimal low energy, quiet running and efffective performance
- Mechanical Extract Ventilation (central - MEV)
Whole house extraction from all wet rooms via one system - ideal for new build
- Heat Recovery Ventilation (MVHR)
Whole house supply and extract ventilation with heat recovery (up to 95% of heat is recovered and re-used to help reduce heating bills!)
- Positive Input Ventilation (PIV)
Whole house supply ventilation via loft or wall install with heater and high grade filter options - ideal for retrofitting and to treat ongoing issues with condensation around the home
The Air Shop can provie guidance and recommendations around suitable ventilation systems for new and existing homes.
Call our specialist team on 033 0223 6776 or email sales@theairshop.co.uk