100mm HeatSava with 330mm duct Ventilation Unit, Intelligent Single Room Heat Recovery Unit Envirovent HSA100/330

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.Buy Silent Fans at Sparks Our tips for avoiding the build-up of condensation With careful planning, you will be able to prevent condensation from 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 it 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.Buy Heatsava PIV Fans 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.

A New Year is upon us and you have probably already made plenty of resolutions regarding your personal habits. We here at Sparks like to make more general goals and would heartily recommend you take 2019 as an opportunity to save on your energy bills, especially during what promises to be a frosty start to the year. So if you're thinking to save money (and energy) on your bills this year, you could start by making some adjustments in lighting and ventilation. Using (green-i) PIR sensors - save the energy lost by those leaving their lights on How many times was the light in the toilet left on accidentally, and how many times did you come home from work to find out that the light in the children's bedroom has been on for quite a while? While at the office, how many times did you simply forget to turn OFF the lights in a certain room, and the next day the lights were still ON? It's time to change this. CP Electronics, one of the world's leading brands in energy-efficient controls for heating, light, and ventilation, uses cutting-edge technologies and innovations to prevent wasted energy. We have written previously about the benefits of their range of Green-I energy-saving products. The wall-mounted PIR sensors ensure that your precious heating and lighting won’t be put to waste, as they only activate upon detecting infrared radiation emitted from people’s bodies. We here at Sparks provide a range of CP Electronics switches and covers, as well as a highly useful multi-function remote for Green-I devices and switches. We would particularly recommend the Single Channel Dimmer with PIR and Adjustable Timer, whose switch has a built-in presence detector to help you save energy; if there is no movement your lights will switch off. When used in conjunction with the remote handset, it can be utilized for dimming and accessing the array of switch functions. There are a multitude of PIR switches and sensors available at Sparks, including this External Black PIR Security Motion Sensor.Buy External Black PIR Sensor This fully automatic outdoor security light is capable of controlling up to 1000W of lighting and, during the day, an inbuilt photocell saves electricity by deactivating the attached lighting system. It is suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications, including car parks, driveways, stairways, patios, porches, entrances, and so on. Using LED lighting, indoors and out - save energy being lost by the less-efficient outdoor lighting When it comes to lighting - especially outdoors - the electricity bill goes over the top; the LED floodlights offering 500W halogen or more or the wall lamps each having 50W simply makes the electric meter speed up. Especially with longer nights and shorter days, there's a need to turn ON the light outdoors - but can we do it without wasting too much energy and money? The switch in focus to LED lighting can be seen in how many capital cities across the world ushered in the New Year in 2019  - from Beijing to London, LED light shows greeted massing crowds. New York made the switch in 2012, implementing over 1,200 LED light fixtures for a display that was 5-8 times brighter and was 73% more energy efficient than its predecessor. We would strongly recommend you follow the examples of modern cities celebrating the New Year and make the switch over to LED Flood Lights for your own outdoor areas. With impressive IP ratings and slim, attractive appearances, Sparks have a plethora of such energy-saving outdoor LEDs to light up your garden, when the skies above seem perpetually dark or grey during the winter months. For instance, the Compact Black LED Flood Light provides a powerful, crisp 4000K of light that has 85% lower running costs compared to its halogen equivalents. Combine this with its inbuilt PIR sensor and think of the money you could save throughout the course of 2019! Ventilating properly - guarantee your health whilst retaining heat and save energy Health should always be top of your priorities when entering the New Year - and no we’re not talking merely about getting a new gym membership. Poor ventilation can lead to condensation and black mould, which may lead to medical problems for occupants of your home. 'Whole home ventilation' is a concept that is important - for both your well-being and your energy bills. During winter we tend to try and trap as much heat in as possible and it is essential we recycle this hot air properly - and we would advise a combination of a positive input system along with a negative air pressure system. We have great options in both these areas, such as the Airflow iCONstant HT, a continuous axial fan with a unique setup and diagnostic LED light.Buy Airflow iCONstant Fans The economical and intelligent nature of this device ensures that running cost are kept at an absolute minimum, with adaptable trickle speeds beginning at 6 l/sec which takes a mere 1.07W to power. Looking at the air pressure system, the Envirovent heatSava is an excellent heat recovery unit that feeds in through the wall. It’s primary functions are to improve indoor air quality by reducing condensation and mould problems, while recovering up to 75% of indoor heat that would otherwise be lost. So with the New Year ringing in, you are probably pondering on improvements to be made in your household. We at Sparks would highly recommend you start the year by getting some peace of mind about your energy expenses and the healthy ventilation of your home.