Airflow Loovent ECO SELV HT Centrifugal Fan with Timer and Humidistat, Low Voltage 100mm 4 inch Airflow 72684310 Fan

It is estimated that over 15.3 million homes in the UK are at risk of ‘Toxic Home Syndrome’ (THS), a condition that occurs where there is an excess of airborne pollutants. These pollutants can have adverse health effects on the residents of a home suffering from it. Thankfully, Airflow offers a wide range of residential solutions. They are one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of ventilation products for all types of homes and properties. They have been innovating in the field of ventilation for decades - since they started out in 1959. Their first product that made waves in the industry was the Loovent, which went on to become a best-seller. Since then, they have continued to excel in bringing out top-of-the-range ventilation solutions. The causes of ‘Toxic Home Syndrome’ John Kelly, the Marketing Manager at Airflow Developments, has emphasised the importance of quality indoor air to the health of occupants. Toxic Home Syndrome is extremely widespread and the reasons become clear when you look at the causes of this issue - they are hard to avoid. THS is triggered by the buildup of airborne pollutants and moisture in the air - these are called ‘volatile organic compounds’ (VOCs). Condensation is one of the main culprits when it comes to indoor pollutants that negatively impact our health. Water vapour produced by condensation encourages the growth of mould and damp, which creates uninhabitable indoor spaces. Mould and fungi are major triggers for asthma sufferers, who are also vulnerable to other VOCs such as house dust mites, pet dander, pollen and humid air. All of these conditions come about as a result of poorly ventilated homes. It is not just natural occurrences - such as condensation - that cause THS; many other factors are man-made. Everyday activities such as cooking, showering and even breathing contributes to the noxious air that leads to THS (see more on the Toxic Home Syndrome here). It is crucial that you avoid unknowingly go about living in a home suffering from THS. The repercussions on your health could be disastrous. The effects of Toxic Home Syndrome John Kelly has underlined findings of the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH). The report is entitled ‘Every Breath We Take: the lifelong impact of air pollution’. The report suggests that severe health conditions such as cancer, asthma, heart disease and even obesity can all be attributed to the cleanliness of the air we breathe on a daily basis. The problem of THS is compounded by the average modern lifestyle. Most houses are now fitted to be eco-conscious, with improved levels of insulation effectively sealing off the building. The cost of increased insulation is stagnant, VOC-filled air within our homes. These compounds, along with other pathogens, are directly linked to long-term respiratory conditions. How we can combat Toxic Home Syndrome with Airflow fans? We should all be aware of the risks of VOCs, and ensure that we keep high standards for the quality of our indoor air. Social housing providers also have a legal responsibility to take affirmative action to protect their tenants from this problem. As stated before, Airflow made waves in the ventilation industry with the Loovent. This ventilation unit is a powerful and subtle centrifugal fan with a modular design. Other Airflow products such as the iCON60 fans are also well-suited for both standard homes and social housing. This is because these fans are specifically designed to be efficient in large areas, for instance, in residents lounges. This great range minimises heat loss and back wind, and blends discreetly into any building interior. The QuietAir range is worth consideration, as it was designed to perform at efficient levels of extraction, with minimal sound levels of only 25 dBA. The Airflow QT100 is a product well worth looking into if you are ventilating social housing. It can have an adjustable humidity and timer, with a delay start of two minutes and the ability to run on only 5 watts. Meanwhile, there is the iCONstant ventilation fan which sounds off at a quiet 21dBA and has the option of a humidity sensor, which adds to its eco-efficiency. The importance of keeping your homes’ air healthy The report from the RCP emphasises the importance of keeping our homes free from airborne pollutants. People now spend an estimated 90% of their time indoors, and research indicates pollutant levels are five times higher indoors than they are outdoors (approximately). Effective ventilation is therefore essential to the well-being of occupants. More on the Sick Building Syndrome via NHS here. Social housing providers have a responsibility to ensure that all their properties have adequate ventilation to protect their residents. Airflow is the perfect solution for social housing providers and home-owners alike. They have been tackling the detrimental effects of bad indoor air quality for decades now, and have never stopped innovating in this time.

Problems caused by bad air quality in our indoor environments can be devastating. Recently, the World Health Organisation (WHO) published a report that showed that the air we breathe has become polluted with cancer-causing substances. The mixture of exposure to indoor and outdoor pollution has led to 6 million people dying annually. Considering that people now spend up to 90% of their time indoors, it is likely that indoor pollution played a significant part in this terrible statistic. What are the causes of indoor pollutants? Many factors contribute to poor levels of indoor air quality. Outdoor air gains entrance through windows, doors and the general ‘leakiness’ of buildings that are not well insulated. One of the main culprits is biologically produced pollutants. People release pollutants through their normal metabolic process. They also use products and appliances that emit toxins on a daily basis. The appliances we commonly use at work or home are a significant source of pollution. These include cookers, boilers and portable gas or paraffin heaters. These items are very damaging to the quality of indoor air that we breathe. Condensation is one of the largest causes of dampness in indoor areas, and can eventually lead to the growth of mould. The health problems associated with mould must be emphasised: they can lead to a litany of ailments. Prolonged exposure to high levels of indoor dampness can reduce lung function and cause chronic health problems such as asthma. If those who already suffer from asthma are exposed to dampness, they have an increased likelihood to develop more severe symptoms. Mould can lead to various other medical conditions, such as pneumonia. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a considerable proportion of the world’s 300 million cases of childhood asthma is attributable to indoor dampness and mould. We here at Sparks are sure you’ll agree air pollutants must be effectively dealt with. This needs to be done before they can inflict damage to our homes and health. Residential ventilation solutions offered by Airflow Thankfully, Airflow offers a wide range of residential solutions. They are one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of ventilation products for your home or property. They have been making innovations in ventilation for decades - since they started out in 1959. Their first product that made waves in the industry was the Loovent, which went on to become a best-seller. This range has sold over 1 million units and is still extremely popular to this day (it has been updated with modern features now, of course). The Loovent Eco is a powerful centrifugal fan that boasts a modular design. This makes the installation and maintenance of the device very easy. Furthermore, they produce minimal sound levels and operate with great eco-efficiency, powered by a low-energy motor. The Loovent Eco comes in versions which include a pull-cord, humidity timer, motion sensor (with timer), a delayed start of two minutes and two-speed settings. This product is ideal for long stretches of ducting, as it will maintain pressure over the full length of a duct run. It is recessed or surface mounted so can be mounted practically anywhere you desire. The QuietAir is another successful range developed by Airflow, with the QT100 being a real stand out in terms of popularity. The QT100 is an axial extractor fan that combines contemporary design with ultra-low noise levels. It was awarded the Quietmark in 2014 by the Noise Abatement Society as it operates at a lowly 25 decibels (dB). Its features include a long-life ball bearing motor with 40,000 hours of operating time. It can run at two speeds and has an adjustable overrun timer. Furthermore, it uses a high-efficiency impeller that helps to keep running costs low; it only has a power consumption of 5 watts. Then, there is the iCON range - one of the first products to introduce the plug-in module concept to the extractor fan market. iCON’s revolutionary design ensures effective ventilation; the low energy fans are quiet and use a minimal amount of energy. They also come in Safety Extra Low Voltage (SELV) versions, which provide extra safety and peace of mind at home. The design includes the option for installing a plug-in module, which enables you to adjust the fan to suit your specific needs. Their round, slim design means it is a breeze to install the device in either a wall or ceiling. With three versions (the iCON15, iCON30 and iCON60) they are suitable to install in any room, whether it be large or small. The enduring popularity of the iCON range led to the release of the high-tech iCONstant. The iCONstant is among the quietest extract fans on the market (with a sound level of 21 dBA) and costs less than a lightbulb to run for an entire year. You can choose from a Timer version or a Humidity Timer version of the product, depending on what you find preferable. The ‘constant’ in the name of this product is taken from its ability to constantly extract damp air. Though they can be used in any room, Airflow designed the iCONstant with toilets, bathrooms and kitchens in mind. This is because these are the areas of your home that will produce the most moisture, which could lead to damp and mould. One of the iCONstant's main purposes is to keep you healthy by maintaining clean air quality within your home. ‘Extract and replace’ - how Airflow helps you keep a healthy home Airflow has always aimed to produce healthy breathing air through energy-efficient means. This is demonstrated by the history of their products, looking at the iCON60 fan, for instance. The iCON60 is the largest in its range, and designed to be compatible with larger residential spaces. They are highly efficient in areas such as residential lounges, domestic kitchens, changing areas and utility rooms. Airflow understands the importance of ‘Residential Heat Recovery’ and how it relates to people’s well-being. They know that an effective ventilation system in a dwelling will protect the occupants - and the building itself - against harmful levels of condensation. Condensation is more likely to occur in residences where large groups of people live. This is because every individual does their share of cooking, washing and bathing. With their varied range of products, Airflow provides effective ventilation with heat recovery for the supply of controlled, crisp and filtered air. They manage to do this while eliminating harmful moisture and airborne pollutants. Whether you live in a house, student halls, a flat or another type of residence - Airflow will have you covered. They offer an excellent variety of ventilation products to help save you energy and - more importantly - make sure you breathe proper air, the good kind of air. They have done this for five decades now and the endurance of their brand attests to their success.

Asthma is a long-term condition that affects your airways, which transport air in and out of your lungs. Sufferers of asthma have sensitive airways that are inflamed and ready to react when they come into contact with certain airborne particles. When asthma is triggered there will be a varying degree of symptoms. These include the tightening of the airways, so they become more narrow. The lining of these airways will become inflamed and start to swell. This will cause mucus or phlegm build up, further narrowing the airways. This is a very serious ailment that can be fatal, in cases of serious asthma attacks. Three people die every day due to this condition. More people die each year due to asthma than cervical and testicular cancer combined. There is no cure for asthma as of yet - only preventative measures, such as asthma inhalers and medicines. A hugely important role in preventing asthma attacks is identifying what causes them and eliminating these threats. This is partly achieved with quality ventilation that keeps an environment of clean air around sufferers of asthma. There are other serious allergies that are aggravated by poor quality air such as hay fever, eczema and pet dander. In this article, Sparks will examine how ventilation manufacturers have sought to help with the devastating problems caused by asthma and other allergies.What triggers asthma attacks? Practically any airborne particles that irritate the airways can trigger asthma. These can differ from person to person. Certain asthma sufferers will be more susceptible to triggers than others. There are many common causes of asthma triggers around the house. These include: House dust mites. Tobacco smoke. Animal fur. Mould and fungi. Pollen. Humid, dry air. Stress. There are preventative measures needed to stop these triggers, which include medicines, lifestyle advice and avoiding the triggers altogether. When looking at the list of main factors that cause asthma attacks, it is clear good ventilation is probably the best preventative measure. How ventilation can help prevent asthma and eczema: tackling dust mites Dust mites are the primary trigger for asthma sufferers. Researchers estimate they may cause up to 80% off all asthma attacks, as well as countless cases of eczema. Eczema is a condition that causes your skin to become itchy, red, dry and cracked. It is a chronic condition for most people who have it. As you may be able to infer from their name, dust mites thrive in dusty, unclean environments. Their main breeding ground is in unwashed bedding and unclean carpets. Their only source of water is from the air so they can only live in areas where humidity is relatively high. The higher the levels of humidity, the easier it is for them to breed. The fastest and most efficient way to reduce the population of dust mites in your home is by providing great ventilation. Envirovent sells a range of ventilation systems for all areas of your home. They are best situated to combat dust mites anywhere where there is bedding, curtains and carpets. Their ventilation systems provide constant fresh air to decrease humidity levels within the home. Controlling dust mite population will help asthma and dust mite sufferers alike breathe far easier. There are other simple methods for getting rid of dust mites: Wash your bed linen every week at 60 degrees. Use specially designed 'allergy' covers for your pillows, duvet and mattresses. Clean and vacuum your home on a regular basis. Allow fresh air in through the windows Consider installing a whole house ventilation system to supply a continuous source of fresh, filtered clean air. By keeping your home well ventilated you are driving humidity levels down. This decreases the dust mite population of your house: a strong step in tackling asthma and eczema triggers. How ventilation can help tackle hay fever Hay fever is a widespread allergy which affects approximately 1 in 5 people in the UK and is caused by an allergic reaction to pollen in the air. Hay fever is normally associated with grass or hay pollen, the most common being grass pollen. Grass pollen tends to affect people each year from late spring to early summer. Of course, grass pollen is not the sole cause of hay fever by any means. Tree pollen usually triggers reactions in sufferers from early spring to late spring. Meanwhile, nettles and docks (weed pollen) pollinate from early spring until early autumn. This means summer is not an exclusive season where hay fever symptoms may hit. Due to its seasonal nature. hay fever is also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis. It is made more manageable than asthma as its triggers can be predicted by the time of year. The main symptoms of hay fever are: An itchy nose. Watering eyes. An itchy throat. A blocked nose. Unusual amounts of sneezing. Headaches. An aching face. The symptoms will vary from person to person, and some sufferers may have it ‘easier’ than others, for instance, if they only get watering eyes and a slightly blocked nose. However, for others, the symptoms may be so severe that they will affect their sleep patterns and interfere with their education or work. The main demographic affected by hay fever are children and teenagers. Thankfully, much of the time the condition improves or simply goes away. Unfortunately, if you have one allergy you are more likely to suffer from others. If you have asthma or eczema, there is an increased chance you will develop hay fever (and vice versa). A reliable factor in combating hay fever is the same for asthma and eczema: quality ventilation. Check out Envirovent’s Silent: a range of quiet, eco-friendly extract fans that can placed virtually anywhere indoors. How ventilation can help tackle pet dander Over half the UK’s households have a pet. Unfortunately, allergies to our furry friends are very common, as there are 4.8 million estimated sufferers in the UK. ‘Pet dander’ describes the dead skin cells which animals naturally shed from their bodies. The flakes of skin are triggers which can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Those who are allergic to pet dander often suffer from the following symptoms: Itchy eyes. Constant sneezing. Nasal congestion. Wheezing. Pet allergens are tough to deal with due to their shape and size. They can easily embed themselves in bedding, fabrics and furniture. The following precautions may help with pet dander: Replace carpets with laminated or hardwood floors. Switch curtains for blinds. Make areas such as your bedroom ‘pet free zones’. Always wash your hands after interacting with your pet. Regularly clean the rooms where your pet sleeps. Keep your home well-ventilated and do not allow dust to accumulate. How to prevent ‘Toxic Home Syndrome’ impacting your health Professional Electrician published an article on all these pollutants, which can combine to cause ‘Toxic Home Syndrome’. They advised on Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) as a ‘whole home’ solution. They also recommended de-centralised mechanical extract fans (dMEV) as a: quiet and unobtrusive ventilation option (that)… extracts moist air that causes condensation and mould, and replaces it with clean, fresh air that is circulated internally. Both MVHR and dMEV solutions are available through Sparks, including Envirovent’s many efficient ventilation products.

With over 40 years of experience in manufacturing and selling airflow ventilation systems, Airflow has a wide range of bathroom fans and kitchen fans, including the LOOVENT Eco range. Continuing its range of LOOVENT fans of "legendary reputation" since 1969 or so, Airflow has transformed this range into a modern 2-speed ECO version for a safer, cheaper to run, low energy, and more modern bathroom ventilation. With a discreet style in a modular design, and extremely easy to install and maintain, the LOOVENT Eco bathroom centrifugal fans are quiet and come with either a timer, a humidity timer, or a motion sensor with timer. The Airflow 72684308 timer version for example allows you to set the run-on timer between 2 and 24 minutes, and you can select a delay of two minutes after the light is turned on in the bathroom. This fan can be connected to the light switch, and it comes with a momentary pull-cord switch as a "manual boost" override for you to switch to the second speed (the standard speed is the first one). The Airflow LOOVENT eco range of fans is great for bathrooms and toilets where the duct runs are long since the centrifugal impeller is powerful enough to move air over longer distances when met with pressure resistance from ducting. With an ingress protection rating of IPx5, these fans are suitable for use in zone 1 or 2 with a 30mA RCD (as defined in Section 701 BS7161:2008 IEEE Wiring Regulations, 17th Edition). They also comply with the latest Building Regulations, Approved Document F (part L). This range of bathroom fans successfully replaces the old-style (very popular) LOOVENT fans; the spigot position is identical and the back plates are the same size (reworking is thus minimal). Airflow LOOVENT Eco Bathroom Fans - Features and Benefits Economical to operate: the "low setting" uses only 3.5W to provide continuous ventilation, the "high speed" 12W (for "boosting" the ventilation). Cheaper to run. High extraction rate: 62 m³/hr at low speed, 110 m³/hr boost. Very quiet running: 29 / 47 dB(A) at 3m. Low SPF: only 0.21 / 0.40 w/l/s Compact design: modernized curved edge design. Longer life ball bearing motor. LOOVENT Eco T: complete with a timer which can be set to run on 2-45 mins. Internal electrics: now contained inside a separate sealed housing (very safe). Ideal for new builds and refurbishments, with a small footprint and a modern design. Great for bathrooms, toilets, en-suites, utilities room, kitchens, etc. Green Deal: The LOOVENT eco dMEV version will be the perfect solution for the “Green Deal” which is the latest Government initiative and ideal if you have added additional insulation to your home. This fan will combat any problems with condensation and mould and remove any odors that may occur. Ducting: 100mm / 4-inch fan. Fan dimensions: 187 mm width, 167 mm height, 138 mm depth. Double insulated: does not require an earth connection. Mounting: can be surface or recessed, portrait or landscape, as needed. Location: it is important to locate this fan in the best location for an optimal performance, ideally at the furthest point away from where the replacement air enters in the bathroom. IP rating: IPx5, suitable for use in the bathroom (zones 1 and 2) Mains voltage: 100 / 240V - 50/60Hz single phase supply. LOOVENT Eco Fans - a Fan for Every Application! New Build: LOOVENT eco gives the Specifier of ventilation for new dwellings the opportunity to select low energy efficient intermittent extraction in toilets, en-suites, bathrooms, utility rooms and kitchens in compliance with the latest Building Regulations. For better sealed houses and those Specifiers implementing a decentralized, whole-house ventilation strategy the continuous ventilation dMEV model is the ideal choice. Repair and Refurbishment: From simple DIY to planned upgrade and refurbishment the LOOVENT eco provides proven performance with outstanding reliability and functionality. Built on the pedigree of over 2 million Loovents sold since it’s introduction in 1969, the next generation LOOVENT eco even has the same mounting points and offset spigot position of its predecessor making it quick and simple to replace. Social Housing: It is not only low energy, but incorporates quiet operation and good value that concerns Social Housing Specifiers. With the move away from ad-hoc repairs to longer-term planned maintenance programmes the Asset Manager has his eye on long-life components that require minimal ongoing maintenance, LOOVENT eco with ball bearing motor technology provides the assurance of many years of trouble-free operation that can be relied upon for inclusion in their MRS planning. And the good news is that, for a limited period of time, you can purchase the LOOVENT Eco 4-inch 72684305 with timer and the version with humidistat 72684306 at a lower price than usual. If you're a LOOVENT fan or you need a high-quality centrifugal ventilation fan with low noise operation, energy-saving ECO credentials, low cost maintenance, and compliance with the Green Deal requirements, you should definitely check these fans out at Sparks!

Domestic ventilation is a big deal. Roughly speaking, ventilation is required for: bringing in fresh air from outdoors the dilution and removal of airborne pollutants such as mould and odour ensuring that the humidity levels in a space don't get too high In October 2010, the building regulations were updated to include the latest version of "Part F," which covers the ventilation requirements for new and existing properties. They are hard to decode, but we can offer some help in the form of electrical products. What Does Part F Specify? If you were wondering what does Part F of Building Regulations specify, here it is in a nutshell: a ventilation system needs to be supplied in order to reduce mould and other pollutants that could prove hazardous to the health of the building's inhabitants. Basically, a ventilation system needs to: extract pollutants and water vapour before those things are generally widespread rapidly dilute those things when necessary make available over long periods a minimum supply of outdoor air be installed in such a way that aids later maintenance In addition, Part F mandates that dwellings must be airtight (to a certain degree) to reduce domestic emissions. The specifications for new and existing buildings can be found in the Approved Document. They are complicated, and include guidelines on concepts like Specific Fan Power and trickle ventilation, but there is an easy way to meet these standards! Airflow's Loovent Eco Extractor Fans The Loovent Eco series exceeds these requirements. These are dMEV (Domestic Mechanical Extract Ventilation) fans for whole house ventilation (also known as background ventilation), but also feature a "boost mode" to provide extra ventilation when it is needed. These fans are high-powered enough to meet the specifications set out in Part F: in bathrooms, a 7 or 9 litres-per-second mode can be set, or in kitchens a 13 litre/sec speed may be more appropriate. The boost function offers up to 30 litre/sec. Loovent Eco fans have a specific fan power (the electric power needed to drive a fan relative to the amount of air that is circulated through it) of just 0.3 w/l/s, less than the required 0.5 w/l/s. What's more, we offer models in our online store that include a adjustable humidistat, timer, and/or a PIR motion sensor for energy-saving purposes in line with Part L of those same building regulations. These models are compact, easy to install, and dare we say... stylish? Practically noiseless and highly efficient, the Loovent Eco series of dMEV fans are the clear choice for domestic whole-house ventilation for Part F-compliant buildings.