Positive input Ventilation units – What is your experience?

Positive input Ventilation units – What is your experience?

9:20 AM, 26th November 2024, About 2 hours ago 6

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Positive input Ventilation units (PIVs) to clear dampness around the window reveals. We have had new double-glazed plastic windows fitted just before the legal requirement of ventilation top vents.

We have super tenants who wipe the windows down daily and understand the need for ventilation and general dampness avoidance.

The plaster around the window reveals shows dampness starting at the top and widening in a triangle to the bottom where they come right out to the inner edge of the windowsill.

My question is, what has been the experience of others who have used the Positive Input ventilation units that sit in the loft and feed a constant trickle of filtered new air into the house below?

I’m talking about the Vent axia units or Pure air or similar. I know some have heaters in them too.

Has anyone fitted aftermarket top ventilators with success?

Your thoughts and experience of their use will be much appreciated.

Thank you.

Mark


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Neil P

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9:57 AM, 26th November 2024, About An hour ago

I retrospectively fitted trickle vents on one of my flats. Really simple, you just buy the vents online (Amazon etc…very cheap) then drill a line of holes through the frames and screw in the vents. Use a sharp drill bit and be careful as the drill can bite. Not a game changer but they do help.

I researched electric vents and have bought a Blauberg Vento (£400), which we’re fitting tomorrow (needs a sparky). It sucks air in and out every 70 seconds via a heat exchanger so is very efficient. My architect has one in his kitchen…one day he came downstairs and the external glass was soaking…turned out they’d had a power cut which stopped the fan. So they must work. Expensive to buy and fit (including having to buy a 182mm core drill, £85!) but I have high hopes this’ll do the trick.

K Anon

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10:03 AM, 26th November 2024, About An hour ago

I did look into this and there are stories of success but in the end I went with ( so offer as a consideration ) dehumidifiers which have been a game changer. Tenants love them and they work very well.
I found PIV to be a pricier option and a bit of a pain to retrofit. Maintenance was also a factor. Dehumidifier units for a decent one if you shop around £150. I supply 2 per flat.

Cider Drinker

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10:21 AM, 26th November 2024, About 57 minutes ago

PIVs can help to mask problems with a property or with a tenant’s failure to keep the property warm and aired. They shouldn’t be necessary.

Andrew McCausland

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10:43 AM, 26th November 2024, About 36 minutes ago

I have fitted over 50 PIV units over the years and found them to be an excellent way of reducing condensation, particularly in houses with solid walls. I also retrofit trickle vents to windows as well if the houses do not have them as it creates a good cross flow for ventilation.

My feedback from tenants is that dehumidifiers do work but that are very costly to run, several £ per day. PIV's on the other hand, only cost about £10 per annum.

HFJ

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10:45 AM, 26th November 2024, About 34 minutes ago

Our experience of PIVs in a few properties has been very positive and we have definitely seen a difference between those that have them and those that don't. Plus, it means we do not have to rely on tenants "promising" that they follow all the condensation rules......They have worked for us.

TheMaluka

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11:18 AM, 26th November 2024, Less than a minute ago

Reply to the comment left by Andrew McCausland at 26/11/2024 - 10:43
Given that dehumidifiers are only operative in the winter, they cost very little to run. Every watt used by the device contributes to the heating of the property and reduces the heating from the fixed heating source. The same goes for refrigerators, although of course these are operative all year.

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