Nuaire

A UK manufacturer of ventilation systems designed to support both Social & Private Housing landlords with strategies to combat condensation, damp & mould.

PIV being invented by Nuaire in 1972, with increasing portfolio of products designed in accordance with latest Building Regulations Part F & L and key legislation for Awaabs’ Law & Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018.

We offer supported site visits to review existing ventilation and propose best practice to address or avoid any condensation, damp and mould issues.

Dampness in homes is most frequently the result of condensation caused by everyday activities, such as cooking and washing. When the humid air cools or touches a cold surface, such as a window or wall, it condenses into liquid water droplets. It can also happen when the air becomes too humid, beyond its saturation point. If the humid air and the subsequent condensations are trapped within the property, it can lead to damp and mouldy conditions.

By far the most common means of ‘dealing’ with damp and mould in homes is for landlords to treat the mould with chemicals. This will remove the existing mould growth, but it won’t remove the mould spores from the air, which will continue to grow if the damp conditions remain.

The spores will settle and in very little time the mould will regrow. Dehumidifiers have risen in popularity over recent years but using dehumidifiers to tackle damp and mould is problematic on several fronts. They are designed purely to extract moisture from the air and will not generally remove indoor air pollutants, such as mould spores. They tend to be switched on during the day only, but it’s the night-time, when the heating is off, that the condensation starts to form.

Practical Solutions

The revised Building Regulations Part F (ventilation) was introduced in 2022, increasing minimum air flow rates in dwellings in recognition that previous ventilation levels were insufficient to reach all parts of a home, especially the bedrooms overnight if doors are kept shut. This will mean powerful and efficient extract fans, such as Nuaire’s Cyfan fan, or the highly cost-effective Nuaire Faith-Plus Decentralised Mechanical Extract Ventilation (dMEV) fans are practical solutions to go for!

Extract fans such as these, prevent condensation and mould from forming, but in properties that remain prone to damp, PIV systems, such as the Nuaire Drimaster-Eco, should be considered. They draw fresh air into the loft space directly from outside which is then filtered before gently dispersing into the home via a central diffuser at a continuous rate, encouraging movement of air from inside to outside. The great news is that they are inexpensive, quiet, reliable and can be installed in less than an hour. Furthermore, some PIV systems have the added benefit of filters, dramatically reducing harmful NOX and particulate matter levels within the home. dMEV continuous extract fans and PIV systems can also be used’

3 Ventilation options designed specifically for homes:

DRIMASTER – Positive Input Ventilation – Loft installation – Most effective method of curing and preventing condensation & dampness.

Cyfan – Centrifugal Fan installed in Kitchens & Bathrooms

Faith Plus – Axial Fan installed in Kitchens & Bathrooms