EnviroVent

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.

When moisture makes contact with a cooler surface, such as a window or wall, the warm air around it is unable to hold the same amount of moisture. This means the water is released onto the colder surface, creating droplets of water - referred to as ‘condensation’. Condensation may also form in areas where airflow is limited, such as behind bedroom furniture or inside wardrobes. Any area that is not open to light and the occasional bit of airing is susceptible to condensation. The main problem associated with condensation is mould, which may start to form on clothes, furniture and walls if the problem is left unchecked. Ventilation specialists such as Envirovent have been working for decades to provide products that prevent these conditions. Condensation - spotting the problem early on With the rise of so-called ‘energy conscious’ housing, many of us have implemented energy-efficient ways to stop heat escaping our homes. These measures include insulation, draft-proofing, double-glazing and the blocking of chimneys - all of which increase the humidity of our indoor air, which leads to condensation. If your home is suffering from condensation you will start to see signs very quickly. Look out for the following: Steaming windows. Wet walls. Damp areas on walls. Wallpaper may be peeling. There may be signs of mould growth (most commonly in unaired spaces). There may be a musty smell on your clothes. Black dots appearing on your window frames. Soft furnishings and fabrics become more prone to mould and mildew. Don’t become complacent when it comes to condensation. Steaming windows are the most obvious sign that you have an underlying problem that needs to be resolved. If you do not react fast enough, you will leave yourself vulnerable to a recurring issue that may have debilitating effects on the residents of your household. Wet windows are the first sign, and will inevitably lead to problems such as damp patches on walls, peeling wallpaper and - worst of all black mould growth. However, it is one of the most common problems that home-owners will have to face, and one which can be tackled if you follow our advice. If you wish to carry out a completely free home survey, provided by Envirovent (a company which was established to provide healthy ventilation through eco-efficient means), then click here to arrange one at your convenience. Damage and health problems posed by condensation Condensation remains arguably the largest cause of dampness in indoor areas, and can eventually lead to the growth of mould. If left unaddressed, condensation can damage property by fraying curtains, peeling wallpaper and creating a generally musty environment. The health problems associated with mould have to be emphasised also, for mould can lead to a litany of ailments. Prolonged exposure to copious levels of indoor dampness can reduce lung function and cause chronic health problems such as asthma. When exposed to mould, those who already suffer from asthma and allergies are more likely to have more severe symptoms.It can lead to other serious medical conditions, such as bronchitis and pneumonia. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a considerable proportion of the world’s 300 million cases of childhood asthma are attributable to exposure to indoor dampness and mould. It is a problem for the entire family, or any group of residents that live in a mould-infested building. Our tips for avoiding the build-up of condensation With careful planning, you will be able to prevent condensation forming in your home - before it becomes a problem. Condensation prevention techniques help ensure that your property remains both damp and mould free. This will save you having to spend more money in the future by continuously removing condensation. Here are our tips: Try to keep your interior temperature reasonably constant. Avoid drying clothes indoors. Do not dry your clothes over any type of radiator. Ensure tumble driers are properly vented or that the condensation build-up is regularly emptied. Keep your furniture a good distance away from your walls. Do not switch off or disable extractor fans for an extended period of time. Ensure your extractor fans are well maintained and offer sufficient airflow. Many of us fall victim to spotting condensation and not thinking it is not a serious problem. We may only open a window to air out the room in response, but sometimes this is simply not enough. Opening a window may exacerbate the problem, as the weather outdoors has more moisture and higher humidity than the inside of your home. If humidity levels reach 50% or above, then this could trigger the worsening of existing allergies and asthma conditions. A great tip for preventing condensation and dangerous humidity levels is to get yourself a dehumidifier. They prevent condensation by providing a continuous source of fresh air into your home. A prime level of ventilation is essential for locations such as the kitchen, or wherever you wash and dry your clothes. Good ventilation is also required in your bathroom to eliminate moisture that is produced by taking a shower or bath. However, there are a few downsides to dehumidifiers. They must be emptied on a regular basis and are only effective in the room where they are placed. They can consume anywhere between 50 to 800 watts in a single day. However, these slight setbacks are worth it, if it means staving off the ultimate enemy - harmful and mouldy living conditions. Envirovent provides environmentally friendly protection from condensation Envirovent has a ventilation system for every kind of house you could imagine. Their system is engineered to be adaptable, so will fit into apartments, bungalows, houses or even large building projects. Envirovent boasts a wide range of ventilation systems and products, many of which you can purchase here, at Sparks. You can rest assured that their tried and tested systems will definitely improve your indoor air quality and have a positive impact on your health and home. They have identified kitchens, bathrooms, ensuites, WCs and utility rooms as the main break-out points for condensation, and devised a whole home solution. Enviroment’s HeatSava range of ventilation devices can deliver fresh, filtered air into your home, gently ventilating the property using a technique called Positive Input Ventilation (PIV). This method dilutes high levels of humidity which cause condensation and harmful household contaminants. This creates a healthy living environment, free from condensation and the associated risks. The great news is that hundreds of thousands of households across the UK have already have a condensation control unit or other ventilation product installed. If you haven’t yet, we here at Sparks fully recommend you look into Envirovent’s range of ventilation solutions. They are modern, eco-friendly and will keep you safe from dangers posed by condensation.

We here at Sparks Direct are delighted to announce that we have received three separate nominations for the 2019 Electrical Wholesalers Awards! These nominations include awards for best Electrical Wholesaler Website, best Sole Branch and best Customer Service. Now, we need your vote to help us win these accolades… Vote here. At Sparks, we pride ourselves on being ‘switched on’ for service. That means delivering quality products and customer care in an ever changing market. We provide a solution for every type of customer. Thanks to this dedication we have been shortlisted for these highly sought-after awards, which will be voted for by the electrical wholesaler community. This includes (of course) you - our customers and our visitors. We hope these awards would be well-deserved for this company and in this article we will explain why we believe this is the case. Sole Electrical Wholesaler Branch nomination We are proud to have been nominated as one of only five finalists in the ‘Best Wholesaler: Sole Branch’ category, facing stiff competition from across the entire UK. Sparks Electrical Wholesalers (or ‘Sparks Direct’) have been operating as a sole branch for over 30 years now, since we opened our doors in 1988. Over this time, our lighting showroom has become a well-known feature on Holloway Road, one that thousands of Londoners will have seen, visited, and talked about.. Sparks have provided a wide range of top quality electrical goods, including lights, LED lamps, switches, sockets, ventilation systems, thermostats and underfloor heating. Another crucial part of our business has been information. We have provided expert advice to electricians, trades people, building contractors, interior designers and, of course, the general public. In an effort to be ‘customer-centric’ we have adopted a number of convenient policies. We are open 6 days every week and we offer recommendations in store from our trained staff; also, we offer phone support. We pride ourselves on being part of the fabric of Archway’s community as written about here. This article details the key reasons Sparks Direct has kept the physical store alive (and very healthy) in a digital age. The essential reasons behind our enduring popularity are: our product knowledge, competitive pricing, product availability, brand recognition and customer service (another category we have been nominated in!) 2019 Best Electrical Wholesaler Website Award nomination Our digital team - with more than 10 years of experience in the field - ensures the content and technical specifications are correct and up-to-date, as constant changes are made by manufacturers. We provide information on a wide range of products such as switches, sockets, lights, bulbs, LEDs, ventilation fans, tools and electrical testers kits. These are provided by some of the most well-respected manufacturers in the industry including Astro Lighting and Integral LED (for lighting), and Envirovent and Airflow (for ventilation). The team behind our website strives to find the highest quality videos, guides and pictures for every item that we sell online. As well as processing online orders, we offer technical support and are always working to improve the quality and usability of our site. As part of our ‘customer-centric’ approach, we offer 30-day returns and free deliveries on orders over £100 (plus VAT). We remain on top of the ever-changing information. This means you can rest assured we are recommending the correct light bulb for the light fitting you desire and the right LED driver for the energy saving LED light you want. Our website has many functionalities including a ‘question and answer’ service that will provide accurate responses to any question - big or small - that you may have about individual products. The excellent quality of our online customer services and review feedback is part of what keeps both visitors and customers coming back to us. We also have one of the most active blogs in the field of electrical wholesalers. At Sparks we release bi-weekly updates on the latest trends, newest technologies, products, lighting designer profiles and many industry-related topics. The content of our blog posts varies widely, so that it appeals to a broad audience of readers. For instance, you can read about the practicalities of using tubular heaters in hard-to-reach areas of your home during cold months. Or, you may read about the importance of setting up a ‘whole home’ alarm system and advice on which one to use. If you have an interest in lighting design, then we have a series of profiles on the world’s most influential lighting designers. There is something for everyone on our blog, which we hope keeps customers informed. Best Electrical Wholesaler Customer Service Award nomination We were thrilled to receive the nomination for ‘Best Customer Service’, as Sparks has always strived to be a ‘customer-centric’ business. This model is made up of a friendly in-house team, phone support, online chat, email support and online review feedback, through sites such as Feefo and Trustpilot. On Trustpilot we have an outstanding 9.3/10 rating for customer service (at the time of writing), a score which we believes speaks for itself, and the genuine customer reviews via Feefo give us a 4.8 stars out of 5 (at the time of the writing). Sparks have polished their in-house customer services over the course of 30 years, and have earned the respect and confidence of contractors, electricians and the general public. The combined expertise of Sparks’ over-the-counter salespeople is impressive – they have a comprehensive knowledge of the items we stock. Their support extends from the basics which an ordinary customer may ask about, to more complex advice for electricians. Whether you need to know if your new light fitting can be dimmed or you want to hear about the latest domestic distribution boards - we at Sparks have you covered. In recent years, we have reviewed how we should expand and improve our online services. Using Google Reviews and Feefo we analyse genuine customer reviews. We then make the necessary changes to keep our customer services relevant, and turn one-time users into patrons. What your vote means to us here at Sparks Sparks Electrical Wholesalers remains a popular and important part of the local community, who have supported us with their custom throughout the years. In response to this support, we have improved our services across all fields and provided a modern ‘customer-centric’ service. Our nominations in three different categories for the 2019 Electrical Wholesalers Awards has heartened us and have proven that our approach has been a success. We would be delighted if you, our amazing visitors and customers, could support us once again and give us your vote here! Vote for us here.

On the 21st of June this year there was the annual Clean Air Day, and the people at Global Action Plan have launched a new campaign to raise awareness of the problem of indoor air pollution inside UK homes. Whether we sense this or not, there's a "cocktail of toxic air pollution" inside our homes unless there is proper ventilation, and we all are encouraged to take steps to improve the air we breathe indoors. It really helps to open the windows and leave them open regularly to eliminate some of the pollution and condensation, but at the same time there has to be proper ventilation inside the homes. The quality of the indoor air can be very low when there are gas stoves, wood burners, nail varnish being used, deodorant being sprayed, candles being burned, cleaning products used around the house, and soft furnishings. Since we spend quite a lot of time indoor, it is good to make sure the quality of the air is good, and for this ventilation is a must! Indoor Air Pollution and its Impact on our HealthThe research conducted in advance of Clean Air Day has found some astounding and shocking results, and the impact of air pollution on our health is worrying. Furthermore, based on the study of the RCPCH (Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health) and RCP (Royal College of Physicians) on the potentially harmful impact of indoor air pollution, there are some findings that we also list below. Less than 40% of adults are aware of the effects of indoor air pollution on their health; most UK adults are familiar with the effects of the outdoor air pollution, but not so many know of the indoor air pollution. 60% of people are not aware of the actions they can take to reduce indoor air pollution. Improving the ambiance of our homes includes such things as burning candles and using air fresheners, which are a source of air pollution. 15% of the surveyed people identified smelly food as the key source of indoor air pollution. Many do not realize the effects of hairspray and fake tans on our health due to the air pollution. Indoor air pollution is affecting our lives, our pets, our family, our children, our health, and our well-being. Children spend 80% of their time indoors and, with the increasing desire to "conserve heat" with the "sealing of homes", pollution exposure indoors is becoming a major issue for children's health and development. More than two million healthy life years are being lost across the EU annually, and there are over 9000 deaths a year due to indoor air pollution. In England, the proportion of households living in a dwelling with damp is three times higher for those in the lowest income group, compared with those in the highest income group. The impact of indoor air pollution on our health is not as well researched and documented as the impact of the outdoor air pollution on our health. Because many people spend 90% of their time indoors - many times in poorly ventilated homes - they are exposed to a wide range of air pollutants such as formaldehyde and a cocktail of volatile organic compounds (as per Prof. Stephen Holgate, Medical Research Council, Professor at the University of Southampton, see reference link below). The poor air quality in the homes all across the UK can also cause or amplify illnesses and conditions such asthma, thus having a negative impact on our quality of life. Tips for Improving your Indoor Air Quality As this is an ongoing issue with much research and study being done in the UK and around the world, the tips and steps to improve indoor air quality are small and seemingly insignificant, but once they are implemented, our air quality indoor is improved and our quality of life is elevated. Here are some tips for reducing air pollution indoors: Open your windows when you are cooking or when you are using cleaning products. This helps ventilate the house and avoid air pollution in the home, and it also helps avoid the build-up of air polluting moulds too. Service your boiler regularly, for the CO (Carbon Monoxide) emanated from faulty boilers and heaters can be fatal. Consider how you clean your home. Keep the dust levels low, use naturally scented and even fragrance-free products, and avoid aerosols. When burning fuels or wood on the barbecue or stove, burn smokeless fuels or dry, well-seasoned wood, for the pollution from burning fuels damages the air in your home and to those who live nearby. Reduce the consumption of energy to reduce air pollution! Gas and electricity are big contributors to air pollution, for gas creates fumes and electricity has the same result. It is best to do things to conserve energy (switch off the lights, fill the kettle only with the amount of water needed, run the dishwasher or washing machine only when it's full, etc) and thus reduce electricity and gas bills, while at the same time reducing indoor air pollution. Choose renewable energy-saving tariffs for your home supply, even if this means switching energy suppliers, so that you may reduce the pollution produced by power stations. Recycle compostable and save the wood-burning for rough winters. Instead of burning your garden waste, why not compost it and turn it into food for the plants. Instead of burning wood in the stove, use it only when the winter is tough, to reduce air pollution. Ventilate, ventilate, ventilate! Make sure you have a bathroom ventilation fan, a kitchen fan, and even a whole house ventilation system, so that the air in the home may circulate, the vapors may be removed, the pollutants may be eliminated, and the air quality may be improved. Eat properly and exercise properly. Our health is not determined merely by the quality of air indoors but especially by the food we eat, the amount of exercise we do, the sleep we have, and many other items. As much as it depends on us, it is good to eat a healthy diet and have adequate physical exercise to improve our quality of life, and be aware of the indoor air quality to improve it. On our website we offer a wide range of Envirovent, Airflow, and Manrose kitchen fans, bathroom ventilation fans, whole house ventilation systems, and heat saving systems. Here are some further references to this article, where you can find out more on how to reduce pollution at home and improve air quality in the home: Improve your indoor air quality with Airflow Clean Air raises awareness of indoor air pollution (via Envirovent) There's a cocktail of toxic air pollutants inside the homes (via CleanAirDay) A major study was done to look at indoor air pollution (via, Air Quality News) Asthma Deaths Rise 25% amid growing air pollution crisis (via the Guardian) Protect children from toxic fumes with ‘keep clear’ signs at our bus stops, says father (via, Evening Standard)

Due to the lack of adequate ventilation at home we all have condensation, and if we leave condensation untreated, mould growth can happen - and this can be harmful to our health and the health of our children. How to prevent condensation problems by having proper ventilation. When mould growth takes place, it can lead to serious health issues and breathing difficulties. The fact that we have double insulated windows doesn't help, for condensation is kept inside, instead of the air being circulated to remove it. If there's regular condensation at home, it can cause structural damage to the house, there may be some damp patches that can appear on the wall, and there are steaming windows. Especially in the cold season when we spend more time indoor and we don't want to open the windows because it's too cold outside, there's a risk of moisture build up, and the humidity levels will increase. We need to consider how can we combat condensation - how can we reduce condensation at home so that we won't damage our health and our property would not be damaged long-term. Why do we have Condensation at Home? We may have noticed the steaming windows (especially after taking a shower, washing the dishes, putting out our laundry to dry inside the house, etc) and we may wipe them regularly, but we need to make sure we deal with condensation properly, otherwise mould may grow. Whether we live in a listed building or a newly built apartment, condensation has a big impact, and both our walls, our furniture, and our health may be damaged. Why do we have condensation at home? Condensation takes place when warm air meets cold surfaces, or when there's a high level of humidity in our home. Especially in the fall or winter time, when we heat up our home, when we cook, take a shower, dry our clothes indoors, or take a bath, warm moisture is released into the air inside the home. When the warm air filled with moisture comes into contact with the cold wall (especially the wall facing outside), it cools down and releases water, little droplets of water on the cold surface. We may not worry that much about these little droplets of water, and we may get used to the steaming windows, but we need to consider this since they can lead to such things as sinus problems, skin rashes, and other health issues. Six Simple Tips to Combat and Reduce Condensation at Home How can we combat and reduce condensation at home? Here are some simple tips offered by experts - some are quite simple and easy to do, while others may require some investment, but they all can help reduce and combat condensation at home. 1. Clean the windows when they get steamy - make sure you clean the water droplets from the window, the mirror, the glass shower dividers, and the wall, when you see that steam builds up. Use the regular window cleaner tool, and then a clean towel to clean up any condensation, to make sure these colder surfaces are clean and dry. 2. Improve the ventilation at home. When we increase the ventilation at home, condensation can be removed. Simply opening the window in the living room and after taking a shower, cooking, or drying the laundry can remove the build-up of moisture inside the home. You can also install air bricks to the outside walls, air vents for the internal walls (or sealed chimneys to allow airflow through the house), roof ventilation tiles, and window vents. Also, we recommend installing ventilation fans in the bathroom and in the kitchen - you can find a wide range of bathroom fans from Airflow, Envirovent, and Manrose on our website. 3. Action-based ventilation: when you cook (with the kitchen door closed!) it is good to turn on the extractor fan in the kitchen on a high power to extract any excess moisture, or at least open the window. When taking a shower (with the bathroom fan ON), close the door and, after you finish, open the window (and keep the door closed). When drying the laundry, do it only in one room with the window open or even better, do it outside. 4. Pets and plants can release moisture and thus create condensation; it is good to cover up the fish tank most of the time, and if damp patches appear on the wall or condensation is on surfaces, it is good to move the plants outside. 5. Furniture tips: it is not recommended to overfill the wardrobes or kitchen cupboards, so that there would be air ventilation, otherwise the air moisture trapped may lead to mold. Also, it is recommended for any furniture to be at least 50mm from the wall, especially the walls facing outside, for air to circulate. 6. Double glazing and loft insulation lead to reducing the loss of heat (which is good), but it can also lead to condensation if no proper ventilation is ensured. The use a of a dehumidifier can also help taking the moisture out of the air. Trickle vent systems such as the Airflow Loovent Eco and Envirovent ECO DMEV can ensure a continual ventilation in your home. As our homes become more insulated and the heat (and moisture) is trapped indoors, we need to make sure we have a proper ventilation together with the tight insulation, so that we may combat and reduce condensation (which, left undealt with, can lead to mould growth). There are many other ways to reduce and combat condensation - if you know of a different way to reduce condensation, please write us in the comments. As a further reference, you may find helpful to also consult the following articles on this topic: how to stop condensation in 10 steps, how to deal with condensation, 14 ways to reducing condensation, and what causes condensation and how to stop it.

>Having a bathroom fan for extracting the steam, smell, or vapors when using the shower, toilet, or bath is one thing, and having a constant volume, continuously running extract fan is another. It is good to install the right eco fan which offers you the lowest power consumption at the lowest noise output and with the lowest life-cycle costs. This is why we would recommend the Envirovent ECO dMEV extractor fans. They put out a video (see at the bottom of the article - and this link on their site) where their general manager outlines the 10 good reasons to install the ECO dMEV extract fan, and we agree with them completely. Here are the, Reasons for which the Envirovent ECO dMEV Trickle Fan is the Best Fan on the Market

It is very important to have correct ventilation for social housing in particular. The UK’s social housing stock will be crucial in the nation’s ambitious target to reduce its carbon emissions by 80% for 2050. This makes the push toward energy efficiency a high priority on the agenda for landlords and homeowners. Many of us have blocked our chimneys, insulated and draught-proofed our rooms, and double-glazed our windows. While this may reflect well on our energy bills, it also means that we have essentially blocked off the inlet of fresh air to our houses. In this article, Sparks will examine attempts made to improve the safety of social housing with ventilation, and whether these have been successful (based on a study and interview with Airflow Developments). The 2018 Government Social Housing Green Paper The 2018 Green Paper reviewed the established Decent Homes Standard and asked questions about whether the legislation was being properly enacted. The Decent Homes Standard originated in 2004 and set a minimum standard for the quality of UK housing. It stated that all houses must be in an adequate state of repair and have reasonably modern services and facilities. The 2018 paper aimed to update these vague standards and give social housing owners real targets to aim for. This Paper set the ambitious target of breaking down inequalities in the social housing sector and turning them into communities. The previous standards had to be updated as there is set to be a massive increase in the amount of UK social housing. The government has committed to delivering more than 300,000 homes per year by the mid-2020s. The Green Paper aims to empower the residents of social housing. They will be given the right advice if they need to make a complaint - and have it resolved quickly and effectively. Empowering tenants has two great social benefits. It will make them feel less marginalised and happy with where they live, and will also increase the levels of safety and decency of their homes.Buy Airflow Ventilation Fans at Sparks Improvements in social housing - have we swapped efficiency for safety? The 2004 Decent Homes Standard Act improved social housing tenants living standards to a reasonable degree. Many social housing owners invested heavily in insulation and higher-quality windows in order to implement higher living standards for their tenants. The Green Paper found that progress was still being made on this front and that the number of ‘non-decent’ homes had dropped down from 20% in 2010 to 13% in 2016. However, there have been underlying problems with these ‘upgrades’. Whilst many have benefited tenants’ thermal comfort and reduced fuel bills, these homes are also becoming increasingly airtight. If ventilation is not duly considered, then this can negatively impact indoor air quality and leave social housing more prone to damp and mould. Without effective ventilation, the very fabric of a building may deteriorate, which results in time-consuming and costly remedial work for social housing providers. Airborne pollutants also come about as a result of tightly insulated homes, and dry humid indoor air. There is a range of pollutants found in British homes, including Carbon Monoxide, and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) which pose a real risk to occupant health. They can aggravate or cause major conditions such as cancer, asthma, heart disease and even obesity. All these have been linked to poor air quality, which can be tackled with proper ventilation. A case study in PIV ventilation for social housing: Havebury Housing Havebury Housing Partnership embarked on a refurbishment programme endeavour, using Envirovent’s PIV system. They combined upgrades such as double-glazing, cavity wall and loft insulation with Envirovent’s PIV units. Envirovent provides a whole range of efficient ventilation solutions, which can improve the indoor air quality of social housing or any housing stock. While we do not have the PIV ventilation systems from Envirovent on our website, we can bring them in provided there’s an interest in them (you can simply leave a comment or send us an email about your project and needs). Utilising Envirovent’s PIV system, Havebury has achieved a carbon emission reduction of 56% over the last 16 years, decisively preventing the spread of mould and condensation. Getting the right type of ventilation for your housing stock It would be wise to remember that preventing condensation and mould problems is far easier, quicker and cheaper than curing them. Ventilation for social housing should never be an afterthought. Condensation and mould can seriously take their toll on the health of those living in the affected property, which is why clean air matters so much. Airflow Developments also make the popular iCONstant dMEV fans, suitable for any wet room in the home. It helps eliminate the problems of condensation and mould growth by continuously extracting the damp, moist air that is the source of the problem. Envirovent's PIV Units have proven to be very popular amongst housing stock across the nation. This is thanks to their eco-friendly characteristics and the company’s proven track record in providing eco-efficient ventilation.Buy the Airflow iCONstant dMEV Ventilation Fan