Indoor Air Quality

​The modern home has become increasingly energy conscious. In order to save energy we have blocked chimneys, insulated, draught proofed, double glazed and progressively sealed our homes from an essential supply of fresh air.

This results in our homes feeling 'stuffy' lack of ventilation can create condensation leading to damp and mould and overall poor indoor air quality. The usual go-to suggestion is to invest in a dehumidifier as they are cheap and easy to pick up. However, a dehumidifier may not always be the best solution they raise your energy bills, require regular cleaning and exude heat from the back which in the summer can create an overbearing heat. 

This may save energy and make our homes more comfortable, however we pay the penalty by living in and breathing in this stale, contaminated, humid air. Contaminated, health-damaging air often gets overlooked as it is an invisible cause. 

Could Our Homes Be Making Us Sick?

In addition to general moisture build-up created from washing, bathing, cooking and breathing, a large concoction of other pollutants and contaminants is present within the indoor air in our homes and at work. This is having a detrimental effect on our health and the fabric of our homes.

We are all aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide and protect ourselves using detectors. However, there is actually another invisible indoor air pollutant, in the form of Radon gas.  

Radon gas is a naturally occurring radioactive gas, which can enter your home from the ground, exposing you to doses of radiation. According to the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB), health studies from around the world have linked exposure to Radon to the increased risk of lung cancer.

The effects of this poor air quality can lead to a number of ailments such as headaches, fatigue and respiratory illnesses. Even more harrowing, the World Health Organisation has recently published that the air we breathe in has become polluted with a mixture of cancer causing substances with 6 million people dying annually from exposure to indoor air and outdoor air pollution.

There are serious health risks that come from indoor pollution and these can come from unlikely sources. Air fresheners and cleaning products for example, although they give the impression they are improving the indoor atmosphere, too much exposure and they can actually lead to respiratory problems. 

Five Top Reasons Why Your Home Needs Good Ventilation

1. To remove condensation which causes damage to the home.

Uncontrolled Ventilation

For many existing homes, airbricks and trickle vents have been the solution of choice. They are cheap to install, comply with Building Regulations and are understood by most builders.

They can keep the home ventilated but there are a number of caveats:

• If there is no wind then the home may not be ventilated, and conversely if the wind is blowing hard then the home could be over ventilated.
• Airbricks can become blocked by dirt, debris or vegetation outside the room; or conversely, curtains or furniture inside the house.
• Internal doors must be open to allow the passage of air to move through the home, enabling cross ventilation.
• Trickle vents must be left in the ‘open’ position to provide ventilation.
• Bear in mind that with uncontrolled ventilation, moist air and odours are spread around the home, often condensing in, or on, the fabric of the building. This can cause health issues through humidity, such as dust mites and mould, or even impact on the long-term integrity of the building materials. 

Controlled Ventilation

The most controllable ventilation systems are ‘active’ with fans to create either positive or negative pressure in the home. 

Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery

Heat recovery ventilation, also known as mechanical ventilation heat recovery, is an energy recovery ventilation system which works between two sources at different temperatures. Heat recovery is a method which is increasingly used to reduce the heating and cooling demands of buildings.

A Mechanical Heat Recovery Ventilation (MVHR) is a system that works to extract excess moisture in the air yet also recovers the heat, meaning that it provides your home with ventilated air but doesn't take out any necessary warmth. 

Ventilation is the intentional introduction of outdoor air into a space and is mainly used to control indoor air quality by diluting and displacing indoor pollutants; it can also be used for purposes of thermal comfort or dehumidification.

Most people don't associate health problems with the air in their homes, yet there are as many as 900 toxins polluting our indoor air. Certain indoor sources such as pet dander and secondhand smoke have very negative health effects and can lead to serious health issues, such as asthma. 

How Ventilation Systems Can Help Prevent the Spread of Infection

We offer a comprehensive home health check where we will visit your property with specialist air testing equipment, analyse the samples in our specialist laboratory and provide you with a detailed report which will explain the potential hazards found in the air. Book a free home survey today and improve the air quality in your home.