EPC rating destroyed by Positive Input Ventilation (PIV)?

EPC rating destroyed by Positive Input Ventilation (PIV)?

9:32 AM, 30th August 2023, About A year ago 46

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Hello, I own three fairly typical mid terrace solid-brick houses. All have double glazing, loft insulation and gas central heating. Over the last year I have had Positive Input Ventilation (PIVs) installed in all three.

These have been great in reducing condensation and mould, and the tenants and I are very happy with them.

I had an EPC done at one of the properties today, and it has been rated an E. The assessor says that the PIV ‘batters the EPC’!

How can something that costs very little to run, and has such a positive effect on the living standards and health of the tenant, be viewed so negatively when it comes to an EPC rating?

Thank you,

Paul


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RGJ25

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21:41 PM, 31st August 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by wanda wang at 31/08/2023 - 21:08
It pulls air from the loft space through a hole in the ceiling, the loft should have it's own passive ventilation slots under the eaves so no holes in the roof should be needed.

W Josef

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16:15 PM, 1st September 2023, About A year ago

This is interesting. Anyone know in this case which part of the EPC the PIV would "hammer the EPC"? Which section would the assessor have marked the property's EPC down due to the PIV?

Mick Roberts

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17:07 PM, 1st September 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by wanda wang at 31/08/2023 - 21:08
No,
The hole was just if the bathroom extractor was blowing direct into the loft. Which it wasn't. And shouldn't be.

They not a big job, just a good help when we've got one of them awkward old houses coupled with a tenant who hasn't got a lot of money to keep heating on & open windows for ventilation.

Accommodation Provider

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9:15 AM, 2nd September 2023, About A year ago

In the UK from October to April the air is so moist, ventilation will not help. Keep windows shut, and run a DEHUMIDIFIER, all problems solved. Also as air is dry, less heating cost. Watch some youtube videos... only one problem remains and that is educating tenants and getting them to use and empty them. Thankfully I have good tenants, tgat does require I spend lots of time and energy on tenant selection. A house is never a sealed box and people open doors a lot.... so there always is enough ventilation.

Glynn Jones

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9:29 AM, 2nd September 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Teessider at 30/08/2023 - 10:10
Not always, the tenant's lifestyle is often a major factor. When they cook, dry washing, take a shower or a bath water vapour is produced, if they leave windows closed, where else is that moisture going to go?

Judith Wordsworth

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11:50 AM, 2nd September 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Castle at 31/08/2023 - 00:55
They just can switch them off, same as they do with bathroom and kitchen humidistat extractors

GlanACC

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12:55 PM, 2nd September 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Judith Wordsworth at 02/09/2023 - 11:50
Most of them are 'wired in' so quite difficult to switch off

Teessider

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16:54 PM, 2nd September 2023, About A year ago

Most landlords prefer to blame the tenant. It is cheaper after all and requires the landlord to do nothing. Many landlords like to do nothing.

It’s true that lifestyle can play a part. It may be the only reason. I had one tenant that had a non-condensing tumble drier in a bedroom without venting it to outside.

It may also not be down to tenants’ lifestyles. I have a property which needs some of the wall ties replacing and, on investigation, the cavity wall insulation is, shall we say, patchy - there are huge voids where the insulation didn’t reach. A PIV may mask the problem but that would be a fudge.

Many homes have cavities that have been bridged with debris. Many have poorly installed insulation in the loft or cavities. Some have paths and patios that are too high allowing rain to slash above the damp course. Many have double glazing that the fitters have bridged the gap that stooped the cold outside air hitting the internal walls.

There are many reasons for houses to suffer damp and mould. Most are down to the fabric of the building and some are down to tenants lifestyles.

Christopher Lee

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18:22 PM, 2nd September 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Teessider at 02/09/2023 - 16:54
I'd say most are down to the tenant and very few are structural. That's my experience as a landlord for 25 yrs coupled with my Dad as a surveyor and other related property roles for about 40 yrs.

Paul Baker

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12:31 PM, 3rd September 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Teessider at 30/08/2023 - 10:10
The PIV's heat the air from the loft before pushing it into the house.

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