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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Knobby Russet

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20:06 PM, 3rd September 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Teessider at 02/09/2023 - 16:54
Teessider, most damp is actually condensation caused by modern lifestyles that generate far more moisture from laundry, cooking and washing. The fabric of the building is mostly at 'fault' only as much as it is Victorian and built for another era. Fabric and structural faults will cause penetrating damp and water ingress in some cases. It is also no 'fault' of the tenant if they are living in the 2020s in a house designed for the 1880s, and want to keep warm and not live with the windows open in winter any more than I expect you or I would. PIV systems seem to be an effective solution to the lifestyle problem and if they do cause negative EPC ratings it is sadly another example of how unfit for purpose the rating system is.

Mick Roberts

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7:08 AM, 4th September 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Teessider at 02/09/2023 - 16:54
Great words Teesider, u know your stuff too. I've learn't bits over the years too with time.

Lot of it is the tenant, some the house, some houses ok, some need some help if the tenant not playing ball.

How did u find out all this:

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. Many have double glazing that the fitters have bridged the gap that stooped the cold outside air hitting the internal walls.

Did u have a camera man come inspect cavities? Where from how much etc.?

Beaver

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8:57 AM, 4th September 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Knobby Russet at 03/09/2023 - 20:06
It's not just Victorian Houses: Even my own PPR which was built to burn coal was built in the 1960s (with a back-boiler). When you have a chimney the chimney sucks the stale air out of the house for you. I have a BTL built in the 1920s and that's the same although the 1920s house has a poorer damp proof course.

Simon F

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11:56 AM, 11th September 2023, About A year ago

To help combat the damp from condensation issue, there's now a new standard now for trickle vents on replacement uPVC windows. It used to be 2500mm2 advisory only; it's now 4000mm2 required. Trickle vents in uPVC windows are easy to retrofit too, so that's another option to consider for rooms with condensation issues.

Paul Baker

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0:07 AM, 14th September 2023, About A year ago

*** UPDATE on Original Post ***
After a few further emails with the Assessor, I'm pleased to report that he has now changed the EPC to a 'D' which is in line with similar properties and what I expected.
In his original report, he was referring to the PIV as a Mechanical Ventilation Unit, which is different to a PIV, and he had scored the property as if it had a Mechanical Ventilation Unit. I presume these have a direct external vent hence why they score poorly.
He seemed unfamiliar with a PIV but all has been happily resolved now!

Beaver

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10:56 AM, 14th September 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Paul Baker at 14/09/2023 - 00:07
Thanks for sharing. We all learned from it.

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