Envirovent ECO-dMEV-T 100mm Continuous Running Ventilation Fan with Timer, 4" Decentralised Mechanical Extract Ventilation Unit

We love the Electrical Wholesalers magazine, coming out monthly and being distributed in all the electrical stores around the country. It helps to know what's new in the industry, whether or not you hear about it via official communications, TV, media, etc. The Green Deal, for instance, "looks set to be the most ambitious refurbishment programme in the UK ever, but energy efficient improvements must not be at the expense of outdoor air quality." (Lee Nurse, Vent-Axia, quoted in the April 2013 issue) The Green Deal: Don't Forget Ventilation! Energy efficient ventilation is an important accompaniment to the Green Deal initiative, and it offers a potential opportunity for contractors and electrical wholesalers alike. "Under the Green Deal, energy bill payers are able to obtain energy efficiency improvements, such as loft insulation, solid wall insulation, and new heating systems, without having to pay immediately. Instead, business will provide the capital, and obtain their money back over time via the customer's energy bill. Central to this strategy is the requirement that the estimated savings on the bill will always equal or exceed the cost of the work - this is called the 'Golden Rule'." Addressing the Issue of Ventilation In the article in EW news, Lee Nurse from Vent-Axia continues, "...despite continuous room heat recovery offering energy efficient ventilation that recovers heat, its benefit is difficult to measure. As a result it cannot meet the Green Deal's 'Golden Rule'. However, if you insulate a home without improving ventilation it can result in condensation and mould." Already in the UK one in five homes are affected by condensation and mould growth (according to the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors). If people don't take care to ensure adequate ventilation, high levels of humidity can lead to growth in dust mite populations, which can affect people's comfort and health. This is an excellent opportunity for many electrical wholesalers - among which Sparks Electrical Wholesalers Ltd takes the lead - to supply contractors and homeowners with the ideal solutions for these projects. The Green Package - Energy Efficient It is very important to start right: make the air as tight as possible at home, with proper insulation and double glazing! Ventilation is necessary for maintaining healthy indoor air quality. The emphasis will be more and more on continuous Decentralised Mechanical Extract Ventilation (dMEV) systems, many of which can be found on our website since they provide effective and affordable solutions with low running costs. They work with the natural air infiltration and they control the air path through the home, preventing the migration of damaging humidity and pollutants. Refurbish Tight and Ventilate Right! In the Green Deal's "Golden Rule" there may be no specification about energy efficient ventilation, but it is definitely essential to it. Yes, refurbish tight and make sure there's double glazing and insulation, but at the same time you have to ensure there's no poor air quality and condensation. Refurbish Tight and Ventilate Right! Read more on the Green Deal via this and this article, and purchase dMEV solutions via our website. Vent-Axia is a reputable air flow and air ventilation solution for both domestic and commercial use, and their fans can be purchased online via Sparks. The quotes and details above are inspired by the Electrical Wholesalers Magazine, the April 2013 edition, via the article entitled, Green Deal: Don't Forget Ventilation.

As more and more people opt to work from the comfort of their own homes, millions are now faced with the challenge of transforming their houses into versatile spaces that are comfortable enough to relax in, yet still lively enough to get some work done.One brilliant way to keep your home fresh is to keep out damp and stale air. Poor ventilation leads to old, moist air lingering as condensation on your walls and furniture. This, in turn, causes dampness and mould - not exactly the most appealing of house features.Fortunately, you can now keep dampness at bay with a reliable ventilation system. Continuous ventilation systems are ideal for home use since they allow you to keep your entire area well-ventilated without any hassle.What is ECO dMEV? ECO dMEV is a type of ventilation system used in residential buildings. The ECO dMEV ventilation system is typically installed in individual rooms, such as bathrooms, and is connected to ductwork that runs to an external vent. The units are designed to be easy to install, use, and maintain, and are often used as a more energy-efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional mechanical ventilation systems in residential buildings.The ecological operation of the ECO dMEV units is achieved by reducing energy consumption and noise levels, as well as providing a higher level of indoor air quality.What does ECO dMEV stand for? The term "ECO dMEV" means "Decentralised Mechanical Extract Ventilation with Ecological operation". It is a low-energy and low-noise ventilation system that is designed to extract moisture, pollutants, and stale air from kitchens, bathrooms, and other wet rooms in a home or office. ECO dMEV units operate continuously and use low-energy, DC (direct current) motors to extract air at a constant rate, which helps to maintain good indoor air quality and prevent the buildup of harmful substances, such as mould and mildew.Mechanical extract ventilation (MEV) is designed to supply air continuously at a low rate. It works by extracting air at multiple points to simultaneously draw moisture out from rooms, particularly wet areas such as bathrooms and kitchens. MEVs are more efficient compared to installing separate fans in each room.Buy Envirovent dMEV VentilationHow does the ECO dMEV ventilation system work? ECO dMEV is a decentralised mechanical extract ventilation system designed to remove moist and polluted air from individual rooms, such as bathrooms and kitchens, in residential buildings.Installation and connectionThe ECO dMEV unit is installed in the room that needs ventilation, typically in the ceiling or wall, and is connected to a duct that leads to an external vent. Each contains a DC (direct current) motor, which powers a centrifugal fan that extracts air from the room.Extraction of airOnce the unit has been properly installed, it continuously extracts air at a low and constant rate, which helps to maintain good indoor air quality and prevent the buildup of moisture and pollutants that can lead to health problems and possibly destroy your furniture.VentilationECO dMEV continuous ruling ventilation for the home has a humidity sensor and a timer that can be programmed to increase or decrease the ventilation rate based on the level of humidity in the room or the time of day.It is designed to be energy-efficient and cost-effective, using only a small amount of electricity to operate, and operating quietly and unobtrusively. Perfect for those peaceful afternoons at home.What are some advantages of the ECO dMEV continuous ventilation for the home?Continuous ventilation systems, such as ECO dMEV, have several advantages over intermittent ventilation systems as follows.1. Improved indoor air quality.Continuous ventilation systems are designed to maintain a steady flow of fresh air. This helps you keep your home free from any moisture, pollutants, and other contaminants that can lead to poor indoor air quality.A decentralised ventilation unit also eliminates the need to fit every room with a different fan or vent. No more worrying about stale air anywhere in the house!2. Prevention of mould and mildew.The ECO dMEV ventilation system helps to control humidity levels, which can prevent the growth of mould and mildew in the home.Apart from reducing the risk of respiratory problems and other health issues, this will also protect your furniture, clothes, and electronics from becoming overpowered by unsightly mould. Of course, it will also keep your home smelling fresh and welcoming.3. Energy efficiency.These high-quality, high-tech units are designed to be energy-efficient, using low-energy DC motors and operating at a low and constant rate. This can help to reduce energy consumption and save money on energy bills.4. Noise reduction.Hate the constant droning of a regular fan? Continuous ventilation systems operate quietly and unobtrusively. The ECO dMEV does wonders to help reduce noise levels in the home.5. Easy maintenance.Apart from being energy-efficient, these units were also made with your convenience in mind. They were intelligently designed to be easy to install and maintain. The units are typically self-contained and require little maintenance, which can help to save time and money in the long run.What are some examples of continuous ventilation systems?One prime example of a reliable continuous ventilation system for the home is the Envirovent ECO-DMEV-S. This system yields a constant airflow with 5 adjustable trickle speed settings. Each eco-friendly, low-wattage unit is quiet, durable, and suitable for every room in your house. Plus, its minimal, elegant design goes with anything on your wall or ceiling.The Envirovent ECO-DMEV-T 100mm is another exceptional unit. It is a continuous-running ventilation fan but comes with a timer for more personalisation and control. It comes with most of the advantages of the ECO-DMEV-S, including the incredibly quiet operation volume and the ease of maintenance.The ECO dMEV filterless trickle fans were designed to require very low maintenance and to incur minimal life-cycle costs. You may simply remove the cover and wipe the motor clean. These fans are also sensorless, responding only to intelligent microprocessor controls that are linked to the centrifugal fan.Purchase Envirovent Eco dMEV FansLooking for the right ventilation system?Continuous ventilation systems offer several advantages over intermittent ventilation systems, providing a simple and effective way to improve indoor air quality and maintain a healthy living environment.If you’re looking for a high-quality ventilation system to make sure your home stays fresh, ventilated and energy efficient, then an ECO dMEV ventilation system from Sparks Direct is an excellent choice. With a sleek design, low life-cycle cost and impressive sensor-less technology, you'll love how this system completely transforms your environment.

Most people think that opening the kitchen window and door while cooking is good enough; however, it's best to have proper kitchen ventilation. Whether it is summer or winter, many of us spend at least one or two hours a day in the kitchen cooking, preparing food, and baking. Especially as we approach the festive season or when a family gathering is coming up, there is more cooking going on in the kitchen. When the smell of a nice meal being prepared spreads through the house, everyone feels happy. However, we need to be aware that with the cooking, baking, frying, tea-making, and all the other activities in the kitchen, there is a great need for proper kitchen ventilation. There are toxic emissions, stale smells (or food smells), and stuffy air when you cook, and these need to be extracted. Research confirms that cooking with a gas stove even once a week regularly emits levels of pollutants that are illegal outdoors. Ventilation in the kitchen is often overlooked or reduced to opening the window for the steam or smell to go outside. However, kitchen ventilation is very important, even as important as cleaning the kitchen after cooking. In this article, we want to see why is there a need for proper kitchen ventilation and what's the best way to ventilate the kitchen. Why is there a need for Proper Kitchen Ventilation?One may ask, why is there a need for proper kitchen ventilation? Isn't an open door plus an open window good enough? There are a few reasons why proper ventilation is needed in the kitchen. Eliminate the Odours: opening the door to the kitchen doesn't mean you ventilate the kitchen, it means the odours spread throughout the house. A proper kitchen ventilation system ensures you combat cooking smells, odours, and other such pesky things. Enhance air quality: nobody wants to cook or be in a place where there's no ventilation, especially when it comes to the kitchen. Kitchen ventilation is important for the health both of the body and of the soul since it makes you happy to be in the kitchen when the air is clean. Remove the pollutants and Smoke and bring in Fresh air: whether we realize it or not, cooking with a gas stove results in the release of pollutants and smoke, and these need to be eliminated. Proper kitchen ventilation prevents the risk of carbon monoxide accumulation. Tip: We recommend the use of a Carbon Monoxide alarm installed properly in the vicinity of the kitchen - it can be a lifesaver!Note: for Ventilation in Catering kitchens and Commercial Kitchens in the UK, please read this guide from the Health and Safety Executive entitled, Ventilation in catering kitchens. The Best way to Ventilate the KitchenIf you read different guides and listen to various specialists, they all speak the same thing when it comes to ventilation in the kitchen: whether you have a small or a big kitchen, proper kitchen ventilation is required. If it is a small kitchen and cooking is done in the kitchen, ventilation is absolutely necessary. The most basic way to ventilate a kitchen is to leave doors and windows open, but this is no longer enough, especially since new government regulations call for tighter ventilation rules and specify a certain level of extraction necessary. The two main elements that help ventilate the kitchen properly are using a cooker hood with an extractor fan built-in or using an intermittent fan, a continuous extractor fan. Let's take a closer look at these solutions. 1. Use a Cooker Hood with an In-built Extractor fanMost kitchens have a cooker hood, but not many use it. The easiest way to extract and eliminate odours and pollutants is to use a cooker hood with an in-built extractor fan. Usually, the cooker hood is installed right above the stove or oven, and it needs to be turned on when cooking or boiling is taking place. Using a cooker hood with a fan built-in means that the steam, smoke, and pollutants are being extracted and eliminated instead of spreading around the house. Odours resulting from frying and cooking are extracted when the cooker hood is turned on at the start of the cooking. Tip: it is recommended to periodically check, clean, and maintain the cooker hood to make sure it works properly. Grease can build up and the mesh or grill can become loaded with pollutants; please check the instructions on the cooker hood on how to clean it. 2. Use a Continuous Extractor FanIf there is no cooker hood installed due to space constraints, or if you want to make sure the air in the kitchen is maintained clean and free from odours, a continuous extractor fan is recommended. Such intermittent extractor fans from excellent manufacturers like Airflow and Envirovent can help extract up to 60 litres per second. Such an extraction rate is needed if your kitchen has a recirculating cooker hood or no cooker hood at all. If there's a cooker hood, an extraction rate of 30l/s is good enough. And if you choose the continuous extraction, a 13l/s extraction is great.Buy Airflow iCONstant at Sparks The Airflow iCONstant Continuous Running dMEV Extractor Fan with Timer is an excellent solution for kitchen ventilation. You simply install it and forget about anything else. Plus, it looks very stylish. If you prefer a square fan, how about the Envirovent ECO-dMEV-T 100mm Continuous Running Ventilation Fan with a Timer with a quiet running of as low as 20dB(A). Tip: It is good to clean the continuous extractor fan from time to time, see the instructions for each fan.Conclusion: It is Important to Properly Ventilate your kitchen!Whether you cook often or only on special occasions, kitchens can be hotspots for condensation build-up and food odours, smoke, and VOCs from cleaning appliances. Appliances such as dishwashers, kettles, hobs, and even the water tap produce steam and inject humidity into the air. It is easy for condensation to form when steam comes into contact with the window, ceiling, or wall. Then, dampness can build up, mould and even corrosion or wood rot can happen, all of which can weaken the structures or cause damage to your kitchen. And the toxins from mould and VOCs can cause or contribute to health issues (such as allergies, asthma, etc). It is important to have proper ventilation in the kitchen. There are also odours from cooking, and there are gases such as Carbon Monoxide, Carbon Dioxide, Methane, and Nitrogen Dioxide, which are harmful both to people and pets. It is worthwhile to consider properly ventilating the kitchen to have a comfortable time when cooking and using the kitchen and to make sure that health conditions are not made worse simply by using the kitchen. For further information regarding the need for kitchen ventilation see the article via Airflow and this one via wikipedia. 

When it comes to making sure that your home is as optimised for warmth, energy efficiency, cleanliness, and health as best as possible, excess moisture is the enemy number one! The combination of warmth and moisture provides an ideal breeding ground for mould and rot, creating problems not just aesthetically, but structurally, in the long term. Mould also carries certain health implications for people who are vulnerable, typically the elderly, young and asthmatic. With mould caused by condensation, it’s worth paying attention to the moisture building up in your home.It's not all doom and gloom, however! There’s plenty to be done to begin dealing with moisture, condensation and mould problems in your home. From ventilation extractor fans to spider plants, there are plenty of options to consider to remedy the situation. The key thing is to understand the origins of the problems, fix the symptoms and then start working towards dealing with the core issues. Some moisture is inevitable in the home, but when it’s allowed to run rampant, it can become a major issue, resulting in costly repairs and generally being tricky to deal with. Here’s how to start dealing with mould and condensation problems in your home.What are Condensation and Mould?Condensation and mould come from the same core problem, excess moisture. Condensation happens when warm, moist air hits a cold surface such as a window. Mould is caused by condensation, and flourishes in any environment that is both moist and warm, making a well-heated home with condensation and moisture problems an ideal breeding ground, although condensation mould in the bathroom is often the worst spot. The trouble is, we really like our homes warm and sheltered, with no cold wind blowing through, but sadly mould also prefers that exact environment.As we move into the cooler months, especially with energy prices on the rise, no one wants to be leaving windows open or running the expensive tumble dryer. While air drying clothes and keeping windows shut will help save energy costs and keep warmth in, it’ll also keep moisture trapped inside. This excess moisture can lead to the growth of mould throughout the home, which can be problematic and expensive to deal with.Moisture is an inevitable part of an inhabited home, whether it’s from cooking, showering, drying clothes, ironing, or even just breathing, many aspects of life massively contribute to the overall moisture in a home environment. If you are keeping all those windows shut tight and not implementing any other solutions for your excess moisture, you could end up with some real problems, which is why you need to start dealing with condensation and mould problems in your home.Why is Moisture Such a Problem Indoors? First and foremost, among the risks associated with excessive moisture indoors is mould, specifically black mould. Not only is this costly and troublesome to deal with, but it also presents health risks, particularly for the young or elderly. The spores released by mould may cause breathing difficulties and other health issues. Commonly affected are asthmatics and people with breathing conditions. There are multiple types of mould, with some types being more toxic than others, so it’s always worth staying on top of.Often associated with unsightly black marks on the walls, mould can also lurk behind furniture and within walls, making it harder to identify and therefore deal with. We all know that maintaining a property requires periodic decorating and repainting, however, if you have a moisture problem, you’re going to find yourself redecorating far more often than you should. This is especially an issue in plasterboard, causing ugly sagging and swelling, as well as stains and peeling wallpaper that can make a room look dirty and unkempt. Once moisture starts causing problems on this scale, getting everything fixed and replaced can become extremely expensive, so pay attention to the early warning signs. The damage isn’t just limited to the aesthetic, however, as moisture within your walls can easily result in long-term problems to the structural elements of your property, affecting external walls, causing the timber to swell, rot and loosen nails, as well as cladding issues. All this can prove expensive to fix and rectify, requiring specialists, especially when it comes to deeper mould issues within your walls.Lastly, there’s the energy cost of excessive moisture in the home. For many, with energy costs skyrocketing, this is going to be a major concern. With many homes utilising insulation within the walls to ensure thermal retention and minimise heating costs, the thermal properties of the insulating material can be compromised when it gets wet, making the property much more costly to keep warm.How To Identify Mould and Condensation ProblemsThe easiest way to identify moisture problems within the home is always going to be a humidity detector, allowing you to know exactly how humid and moist your home is, but there are plenty of other signs to look out for too.Excessive condensation on your windows when you wake up in the morning is one of the clearest signs that you’ve got moisture issues in your home. As moisture builds up in the home, caused by simple things like showering, ironing and even breathing, that warm, moist air hits the cold glass of your windows and turns to water droplets. Having a lot of condensation on your windows in the morning is a clear sign the environment in your home is too moist. The worst room is often going to be the bathroom with condensation mould in bathrooms being the most common.Discolouration, stains, and peeling wallpaper can also be a clear sign of condensation and mould problems, as the moisture settles into your walls it can cause plenty of issues. Big, stained patches, bulging or sagging areas, peeling wallpaper, and patches of mould, which can resemble black spots, are all signs of excess moisture in the home, meaning you’ve got to start dealing with condensation and mould problems in your home as soon as possible. Fortunately, we have some solutions for you.  Aside from the everyday life causes, there are several key sources that are worth being aware of, even if they are an inevitable aspect of living in a moist, temperate country. These are mostly unavoidable, but understanding the potential sources is vital for dealing with the effects of moisture in the home.Leaky roofs and walls, ineffective guttering and badly fitted windows and doors all let moisture into the home.Groundwater can rise up through the walls and floor if the damp proofing underneath isn’t doing its job.Leaky plumbing, steamy appliances, and badly sealed showers and baths all release moisture, but worse, they can release the moisture into places you can’t see, such as within your walls.What Can You Be Doing Differently?While it’s next to impossible to completely deal with mould and moisture within the home, there are plenty of things you can be doing to help avoid the problems associated with moisture worsening. These can be as simple as drying your clothes outside instead (if the weather permits!).Try to keep a consistent temperature indoors – spending a little more on heating could help you avoid moisture and dampness issuesDon’t dry clothes inside – if you must, make sure there’s an open window nearby or a ventilation fanMake sure to keep your extraction units on while cooking and showering. It can be worthwhile having them set to come on at intervals or timed to the light switchesHave shorter, cooler showers as condensation mould in bathrooms is commonNever dry clothes over a radiatorMake sure your tumble dryer is properly ventedPeriodically air out spaces within the homeKeep all your furniture pulled away from the wallsPut a lid on your pans while cookingWipe down moist surfaces, including windowsills in the morning, getting rid of condensationInvest in a dehumidifierIf you’ve got a cold, damp room within your home, that’s going to be an ideal candidate location for your dehumidifier. Moisture spreads from room to room, so making sure your biggest problem area is covered with a dependable dehumidifier will help dealing with condensation and mould problems in your home.  Another effective approach can be investing in better extractor fans throughout your home. Typically, most homes will have an extractor above the oven and another in the shower or bathroom. This can be good enough, but if you’ve got a real moisture problem, it can be worthwhile making sure your extractor fans are up to snuff, and if not, look at upgrading to better models. Another option would be installing extractor fans in problem rooms in the home, notably the bathroom, kitchen or utility room. Buy Envirovent ECO-dMEV-T FanDealing with Existing Condensation and Mould Problems in Your HomeMaking sure to keep on top of moisture, monitoring with a humidity meter, turning on extractor fans, wiping up condensation, regularly airing out and cleaning up any mould is going to go a long way toward dealing with any issues.Cleaning up surface mould can be as simple as using a strong surface cleaner, or a steam cleaner, and making sure the space dries out completely. If want to avoid using any strong chemicals, white vinegar can also be effective for dealing with surface mould spots. As far as the spores are concerned, air purifiers can be helpful, and interestingly, NASA published a list of houseplants that can help process spores out of the air, including spider plants. However, it’s worth noting that houseplants can increase moisture as well. 

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.Envirovent Fans at Sparks 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.Buy Ventilation Fans at Sparks 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 that 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.Airflow Fans at Sparks 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.

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.Ventilation Solutions at Sparks 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 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).Buy Trickle Vent Fans at Sparks 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