Despite recent news being dominated by other matters – rising inflation rates alongside the fuel and energy crisis – indoor air quality (IAQ) has surfaced as a growing concern for many. For those who have a stake in building management and maintenance, the monitoring and regulation of good IAQ should be a key focus for protecting the health and well-being of occupants.

Addressing concerns over the effects of bad indoor air quality within the workplace, 2,000 hybrid working employees were surveyed by market researchers Onepoll[1]. Over half of those asked (53 per cent) said they were worried that poor ventilation and air quality would impact their general health and increase the risk of them catching a cold or flu. Poor IAQ has been linked to conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as well as increasing the risk of heart disease, and with the average person spending around 90% of their time inside[2], monitoring is highly recommended.

Regulatory support

Beyond this, regulation updates over the last year have headlined the need for concern around the quality of a building’s indoor air. Casting our minds back to June 2022, building regulations received their biggest update, with documents affected including Approved Part F, which governs ventilation and air quality standards. Among the wave of alterations, the changes to IAQ monitoring expectations are arguably the most prominent, demonstrating a greater development in the air quality conversation.

To paraphrase from the document, under point 1.21, it states:

“In new buildings, the following types of occupiable room, unless they are rooms of the size described in paragraph 1.22, should have a means of monitoring the indoor air quality. This may be achieved using CO2 monitors or other means of measuring indoor air quality.”

The new requirements cover habitable spaces where large volumes of CO2 could be expelled or inhaled – offices, gyms, or rooms with low temperatures or humidity levels to name a few. Certain rooms may not be applicable due to their size, such as those under 50m² and over 320m² in floor area. With such regulations in place, facility managers must now have provision to monitor air quality within new builds.

However, moving forward those with a stake in building management need to consider introducing air monitoring measures wherever possible to improve the well-being and comfort of building occupants. This means not only extending the provisions to rooms not covered by the building regulation updates due to their size, but considering existing properties alongside new builds.

Occupant and Management Gain

Rather than seeing the implementation of air quality monitoring as an unwelcome cost and additional layer of complication for building management, it is important to recognise the benefits that can be reaped by all involved. The most prominent of these is the improved health and well-being of occupants within the property. By effectively measuring IAQ, an appropriate ventilation strategy can be actioned to circulate fresh air and remove bad pathogens, working to reduce sickness and improve comfort.

As equally important, from a commercial perspective, having such data from IAQ monitoring can ensure more efficient ventilation solutions can be designed and installed. In turn, this can reduce the energy consumption and carbon output of the building and improve its overall sustainable rating. Using this to benchmark a facility’s performance creates a marketable advantage that can lead to attracting more tenants or people to use your space.

Choosing an efficient monitor

When it comes to using an air monitor, as mentioned previously, there are key factors that should be considered to ensure the technology is performing efficiently. For instance, as set out in updated Part F of the building regulations, placement is paramount as they must be at breathing height to guarantee correct readings are gathered.

Likewise, it is important to recognise that an IAQ monitor’s key function is to measure the volume of CO2 in the air. However, CO2 is just one of many contaminants that can harm occupant health and productivity. PM1 and PM2.5, for example, can suspend in the air in the form of dust, dirt, aerosols and bacteria. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and naturally occurring gases, such as Radon, can also present risks of long- and short-term health effects, from eye and nose irritation through to lung cancer. In certain cases, where buildings reside in Radon affected areas, a bond agreement and testing must be carried out before the property can be sold. Using an IAQ monitor that can detect such VOCs and notify building controls could potentially mitigate this process.

With this in mind, our parent company, Elta Group, have partnered with air quality monitoring specialist Airthings to offer a device able to detect all of the contaminants above while measuring additional IAQ factors, such as temperature, humidity, light, noise and pressure. These products are now available through us here at Elta!

All data is presented on a highly informative dashboard as the system behind the monitors is often what determines whether collated data can be used or not. It’s best to seek systems that provide strong analytics to ensure information can be read and conclusions drawn, alongside monitors that alert users to irregular air quality for added safety.

Joining the air quality conversation

Ensuring the inclusion of efficient IAQ sensor technology within buildings, new build and retrofit, is the foundation to demonstrating change and addressing the need for compulsory air quality monitoring within the built sector. However, having good sensor technology, detecting bad IAQ and recognising its effects is just the start – results need to be acted on.

Elta Group are committed to supporting the development of the air quality conversation. Elta can assist in the design of regulation compliant air quality monitoring solutions to help facilities managers establish the quality of their indoor air. On top of this, we can then provide ventilation equipment and solutions unique to the specific case to increase the well-being and comfort of building occupants.

For more information about indoor air quality and Airthings, click here!

[1] Poor indoor air quality is a threat to health, say people coming into the office – Workplace Insight

[2] Brits spend 90% of their time indoors – Opinium

According to the RSPCA, an estimated 44% of households in the UK have a pet, which adds up to a grand total of 51 million furry friends. The past few months of lockdown have brought many into closer contact with domestic animals, and an article in Financial Times claims an upsurge in demand has meant the UK is potentially facing a ‘puppy shortage’.

While no-one would deny that pets can be a source of friendship in a period of distress and isolation, there needs to be attention drawn to the effects they can have on the air quality within our homes. For contractors tasked with delivering residential ventilation, there are a couple of key points to consider.

Moisture

If there is too much moisture being produced within a house, then instances of condensation and mould are more likely to occur. The link between pets and condensation is often over-looked, because we don’t think of animals as being ‘moisture-producers’.

However, it is important to note that assessments of domestic ventilation strategies rely on accurate occupancy level estimations. A two-bedroom house that only has one person living in it will differ drastically from the same property with a family living there. This type of calculation should account for pets as well, because a couple of large dogs will have a big effect on the ventilation levels required in a home.

Fish tanks are another factor that can contribute to increased levels of moisture, and is something that isn’t covered in the building regulations. It is, however, referenced by the Property Care Association as being linked with higher than typical moisture production, and should therefore be considered as part of any assessment of ventilation.

Hair / Dander

Another issue that a contractor should be aware of when assessing residential ventilation is that of allergies. As anyone who owns a dog will know, their fur can get everywhere, and apart from being an eye-sore when it collects on carpets and in corners, it can also contribute to a reduction in air quality within the home. That’s because pet dander, which is essentially dried skin, can attach to hair and cause issues for those with allergies. It can also trigger asthma if not kept on top of.

Homeowners and tenants should be notified of this risk, and while the most effective solution is to vacuum regularly, there should also be consideration given to where pets are allowed to go in the house. If symptoms are particularly bad, it’s worth recommending keeping dogs and cats out of certain rooms e.g. the bedroom, where good air quality is important to a great night’s sleep.

Contractors should stress the role that good ventilation can play in keeping air quality high in a home. While natural solutions offer a quick fix, there are a multitude of reasons as to why this may not be appropriate for a particular location e.g. in a city, cold climate etc. For the optimum balance of good air quality, thermal comfort, and reduced energy bills, mechanical ventilation should be recommended.

Final thoughts

Indoor air quality is a hot topic at the moment, and there are a whole range of contributing factors to think about. Given how many homes in the UK have pets, it is important for ventilation specialists to understand the impact that our furry (and fishy) friends may have on the air within our houses.

By being honest with homeowners and informing them of the link between pets and air quality, contractors can quickly become a vital asset to their customers.

What is the Green Homes Grant?

In July, Chancellor Rishi Sunak said families will receive vouchers of up to £5,000 for energy-saving changes, such as insulation or a new boiler, with the poorest getting up to £10,000. As well as improving the UK’s energy efficiency levels, it will also bring new jobs, which is of course good news.

How does it affect the ventilation sector?

Anything that helps reduce heat losses and carbon emissions from a home has to be welcomed. However, new or additional insulation and more airtight windows can reduce the natural ventilation in a property to the point where it creates an environment conducive to mould growth and increased pollutant levels.

What are the risks?

With the new scheme expected to see work start in many homes during what will be the UK’s next “condensation season”, I expect many homeowners to find that they have condensation dampness problems the following year if ventilation is not properly considered and incorporated.

I would expect to see many homeowners that benefit from warmer homes and lower bills having to face some undesirable unintended consequences of thermal improvements. These would be in the form of mould and poor indoor air quality if they don’t address ventilation as part of thermal improvement works.

How can this be avoided?

The provision of a low energy mechanical ventilation system that can complement thermal improvements need not cost the earth. In the vast majority of homes with little or no existing purpose-provided ventilation measures, a modern low energy ventilation system that will ventilate the whole property, can cost as little as £700-1,000. This would include the home survey and system design, supply, installation and commissioning and also notification of the system installed to the local Building Control Body. Many will agree that is a small extra price to pay for a warm, energy efficient and healthy home.

Quality is key

It’s crucial that the people carrying out insulation improvements as a result of this funding fully understand and value indoor air quality. As such, it’s positive that the Government has stated that any tradespeople carrying out insulation improvements must register for TrustMark or Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) accreditation, which will ensure they follow required standards. For example, PAS 2035:2019 is the report from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy which provides a framework based on a ‘whole-house-approach’ to renovations.

While this is generally positive news for the UK’s housing sector, it’s crucial that  homeowners and contractors consider the provision of adequate ventilation as part of any thermal improvements works under this new government scheme.

For many educational buildings, there is a trend towards using natural ventilation to improve indoor air quality, due to the simple fact that it’s free. However, this method is likely to put added pressure on the heating system, especially if we’re purposely inviting the cold and wet climate of the Great British Isles into the building through an open window or door. This, in turn, is likely to result in inflated energy bills and increase the number of outdoor air pollutants affecting the quality of the air inside the building.

Don’t worry it’s not all doom and gloom, as there are other ways to achieve good air quality without letting staff and students endure the elements. Mechanical ventilation – although not mandatory – is a much more reliable option all year round.

Drowsiness and lack of concentration is an all too often scene in the classroom, but with CO₂ sensors incorporated into mechanical ventilation products, fan speeds are automatically controlled depending on the ventilation required. Heating costs are always a concern so to help conserve energy further, it may be worth considering installing a Single Room Heat Recovery Ventilator into each individual classroom.

But if you’re feeling a bit hot and bothered when it comes to choosing the best ventilation system for your project, then discover our full range of high-quality air movement solutions for the education sector.

One solution is Positive Input Ventilation (PIV), known to supply fresh filtered air into homes to tackle and prevent mould growth and condensation dampness as well as improving indoor air quality. Only in relatively recent years have they been offered with electric heaters to address complaints about colder air entering the home during the winter months.

Since then, PIV units with heaters have become an established requirement for many social housing providers. Yet with both energy prices and the use of smart meters on the rise, an innovation that was originally intended to increase tenant acceptability could now be responsible for hindering it.

So, not all PIV units are the same. Here are five truths to help distinguish the efficient from the inefficient:

1. PIV units are renowned for their low upfront cost and minimal energy usage. But coupling them with built-in heaters undermines the low energy credentials, with some tenants reporting a hike in their energy bills after installation.
2. These systems typically consume 500 watts of power (or 100 times that of a non-heated version) and running costs can be as much as £1 a day when the heater is enabled. It’s therefore easy to see why this sudden increase in energy usage and cost would be a problem for anyone with a low income.
3. It is important to provide a ventilation system that meets the whole dwelling ventilation requirements of Approved Document F with as much intelligence and adjustment as possible. This will avoid under-ventilation and poor performance, as well as over-ventilation, which can lead to increased energy costs.
4. By removing the heater and choosing a more adjustable and intelligent PIV system to better suit the property and its occupants, the central heating system (which will often use gas) can be relied upon to top-up the temperature to the required comfort levels much more cost effectively.
5. As it stands, many specifications still require PIV units with built-in heaters and, while at Elta we have done everything we can to reduce the impact of this for tenants and landlords, the industry needs to move away from an over-reliance on heaters, and towards more measured and targeted ventilation.

A more efficient solution?

To reduce energy usage even further, Elta’s sister company, Homevent, offers Wall and Loft SANO Intelligent PIV units with Eco-LoFlo technology measures the temperature and moisture content of the air being delivered into the home. It is capable of automatically adjusting air flow in colder months when the air is a lot dryer. As such, smaller quantities can be used to achieve the high levels of ventilation effectiveness that are needed to tackle condensation dampness and mould growth. This ensures optimum airflow and provides the most efficient ventilation rates for the conditions, reducing running costs and improving comfort levels.

The sooner honest conversations are had with social housing providers and landlords about running costs, false economies and fuel poverty, the better.

Elta’s SANO Intelligent PIV unit represents a significant step-change in PIV technology thanks to its ability to automatically adjust air flow according to the temperature and moisture content of the incoming air.

The unit’s Eco-LoFlo mode checks moisture content when the incoming air is less than 10°C to reduce airflow to minimum, and most energy efficient, ventilation rates. By utilising this function, occupants can benefit from improved comfort levels, as well as reduced demand on their heating. Additional Normal and Summer modes, plus the ability to override the unit’s automatic controls, ensure performance can always match user preference.

The Sano Intelligent PIV is available in both a loft and wall-mounted unit. The loft-mounted model boasts a low maintenance, large G4 grade filter, while the wall-mounted equivalent contains a G2 filter. Both models have a discreet appearance designed to blend well within any home.

An industry-leading choice of six different settings can be chosen by the installer from the wall-mounted unit’s integral controls, with a further two speed settings available on the loft-mounted version. This ensures each unit can be fine-tuned to suit the specific size, layout, thermal properties, and moisture production of the of the home. Such flexibility also ensures each setting matches the corresponding ventilation rates prescribed by Part F of the Building Regulations.

Nowhere is this more important than in homes. The launch of the Elta’s Mori dMEV decentralised mechanical extract ventilation unit is a great example of how the effects of IAQ influenced and drove the intensive two year design and development programme. Why is IAQ so important?

Indoor air quality is vital to the health of our nation. Statistics tell us that the average UK citizen spends a staggering 90% of their time indoors and that 70% of this time is in their own homes. So it’s not surprising that indoor air quality is vital to the wellbeing of our population. Today’s concern is that with so many properties being designed to be as near air tight as possible – to keep energy bills to a minimum and to prevent warm air escaping – there is evidence that adequate ventilation is put at risk.

With that fact in mind, it’s no surprise that the stale, contaminated and humid air that we are breathing in our homes is bringing serious illness to many of our population. The phrase ‘Toxic Home Syndrome’ refers to a person’s health deteriorating as a result of the air circulating in their home. The condition affects more than 15.3 million homes across the UK.

Mould is the enemy Airtight homes, created by double glazing, insulation, draught proofing, blocked chimneys and other building modifications, bring with them problems of mould and condensation which provide an attractive environment for pollutants. Mould is a type of fungi, a parasite that thrives on water, a food source and warm temperatures, which can wreak havoc in our homes. Germinating in as little as 4-12 hours, some moulds produce toxins that severely compromise IAQ and sometimes affect our immune systems. The air we breathe, so who says this is a problem? The World Health Organisation (W.H.O.) for one.

The W.H.O. published a paper that concluded that the air we breathe is polluted with, at its worst, a mixture of cancer causing substances. Other effects include respiratory illnesses, nasal stuffiness, coughing/wheezing, eye or throat irritation, skin rash, headaches and fatigue. The UK press have recently released articles, bringing these issues and warnings to the fore of the public’s mind, graphically depicting the many air pollutants and contaminants that are sharing our homes. Implications for housing stock For those involved in owning and managing housing stock, dealing with the consequences of poor ventilation can be costly and severe, year on year.

There’s a vicious circle at work in poorly ventilated properties, condensation problems lead to investigations that result in repairs and treatments that prompt others to complain. Within new build projects, it is becoming evermore imperative that IAQ requirements, based on a number of factors including location, occupancy activities, construction materials and many, many others are considered at the very beginning of the development and design process. Bringing IAQ and ventilation requirements to the table for discussion in the early stages makes it easier, and more effective, to provide good IAQ at no added or reduced cost. Through a ventilation system that has considered all the potential issues and loads from lighting, glazing and building material selections.

The solution This frightening situation has a relatively simple solution – effective ventilation. A balance between energy efficiency and indoor air quality is the aim. Good ventilation ensures that moisture is controlled and reduces air pollutants, leading to some significant benefits including: reducing condensation, air draughts, controlling dust mite populations, and allergenic materials. Buildings need a constant supply of fresh air to ensure the good health of occupants. A well thought through ventilation strategy can, in the case of rented properties; help reduce maintenance budgets, the risk of tenant complaints and call outs.

There are many well proven ventilation fans and products that can solve problems that often arise in kitchens, bathrooms, shower areas etc. The innovative Elta Mori dMEV decentralised mechanical extract ventilation unit has been designed around the need for good and reliable IAQ. Independent test results from the Building Research Establishment (BRE) highlight the unit’s low running costs, carbon footprint savings and multi application functionality.

The Mori dMEV has an annual running cost of less than £1 per year in a kitchen and just £0.75 in a bathroom/utility area. So for a typical house (kitchen + 3 wet rooms) average running costs would be £3.25 per annum. Power consumption for continually running the Mori dMEV equates to almost a third of the energy of an 18W low energy light bulb in use four hours a day. The unit also has exceptionally low noise levels that make it quieter than a ticking watch (typically 13 dB(A) for bathroom/utility. The product has brought to the house building and social housing markets, unprecedented efficiency. Each Mori dMEV saves 1.96kg per year of CO₂ compared to the next best unit on the market. .

One of the striking facts to come out of the testing is that the Mori dMEV has an annual running cost of less than £1 per year in kitchens and just £0.75 in bathroom/utility areas. Power consumption for continually running the Mori dMEV equates to just a third of the energy of an 18W low energy light bulb in use four hours a day. The unit also has exceptionally low noise levels that make it quieter than a ticking watch (typically 13 dB(A) for bathroom/utility. The product brings, to house builders, housing authorities and social landlords, unprecedented efficiency.

Each Mori dMEV also saves 1.96 kg per year of CO₂ compared to the next best unit on the market. Shortlisted for the H&V News ‘Domestic H&V Product of the Year – Sustainability and Safety’ award, the Mori dMEV constant volume unit is designed for System 3 ventilation in new build or refurbishment for social housing, and private housing applications.

Elta also contends that its latest Mori dMEV is 62% more efficient than the dMEV which won the H&V Award two years ago. During two years of intensive and stringent design and product testing, started in February 2012, the Mori dMEV has been meticulously developed by Elta. For the impeller alone, more than 35 3D models were created, 19 of which became prototypes with the most recent of these becoming the unique ‘BLADELET’ impeller.

The result is a product which has the lowest SFP (0.09 W/(L/s)) and provides the lowest running costs of any dMEV to date. Elta Residential Division, is part of the Elta Group – a family of businesses with operations in seven countries on four continents – the 2015 Ecobuild exhibition is an important opportunity to demonstrate the value of the Mori dMEV for the housing sector and, in particular in social housing.

Elta Group Building Services Head of Sales, Mathew Axford said: “Our company is committed to providing exceptional indoor air quality in the most cost effective way for the health of the nation. “Our focus at Ecobuild is to engage with social landlords and building companies to expand our message of being the ‘Home of Ventilation’ offering market leading, innovative products,” explained Matthew Axford. Other features of the Mori dMEV include: Low energy, highly efficient EC motor with onboard electronics, Operates up to 50°C, TMP safety tested of domestic fans to IEC 60335-1 AND 60335-2, Low energy, 2.5W EC motor with inbuilt constant volume control. Compliant with ISO/IEC 17025, 3 year warranty and many more. .

Considered to be the building services industry’s equivalent of the Oscars, the awards represent the best companies and products in their fields. Elta is delighted to have made the shortlist for the award with a product that has been painstakingly designed and developed over a two year period, ahead of its launch in 2014. During the 24 month development and testing programme every aspect of the product’s design was scrutinised. For the impeller alone, in excess of 35, 3D models were created. These were reduced to 19 prototypes, the final one becoming the Mori dMEV unique ‘bladelet’ impeller. This unrelenting attention to detail was applied to all aspects of the design, development, construction and testing of the unit. The innovative

Mori dMEV conforms to System 3 ventilation types and is suitable for the extraction of stale air either direct or through short length ducting. The unit provides market leading SFP, some 30% below the nearest competition at the time of testing, and minimal noise emissions. Colin Hone, Head of UK Residential Sales, said: “Everyone here is excited about our nomination. The Mori dMEV is the most efficient dMEV unit ever produced and has provided our dedicated residential ventilation team with a fantastic product which has been very well received in the market.”

The prestigious awards, which celebrate their 21st anniversary this year, will be announced on Thursday 16 April at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London. .

For Elta’s Residential Division, part of the Elta Group – a £90 million family of businesses with operations in seven countries on four continents – the 2015 Ecobuild exhibition has taken on added significance following; major investment in the company, the appointment of Colin Hone as UK Sales Manager and a new sales team. Colin, who will head Elta Residential, is clear on the message that will be at the heart of the Elta stand.

“Our company is all about providing exceptional indoor air quality in the most cost effective way for the health of the nation. The focus at Ecobuild, will be on our latest range of decentralised mechanical extract ventilation units (dMEV) which complement our extensive range of residential products. “The incredibly energy efficient Mori dMEV unit has achieved exceptional performance results in independent third party testing by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) which concluded that the Mori dMEV outperformed anything currently available on the market.

“This product is very effective in the huge refurbishment market where in hotels, housing authorities, and properties owned by social landlords, there are millions of existing holes in walls where the Mori dMEV can provide excellent and cost effective indoor air quality. This is such an important issue at the moment,” explained Colin. During two years of intensive and stringent design and product testing, started in February 2012, the Mori dMEV was meticulously developed by Elta. For the impeller alone, more than 35 3D models were created, 19 of which became prototypes with the most recent of these becoming the unique ‘bladelet’ impeller.

Visitors to the Elta Residential stand N5172, will see the results for themselves and have an opportunity to meet Colin and his team. There will also be the chance to win a trip for two to Italy to see firsthand, the state of the art manufacturing facilities of Elta Residential near Lake Garda.