Positive input Ventilation units – What is your experience?

Positive input Ventilation units – What is your experience?

9:20 AM, 26th November 2024, About 4 weeks ago 46

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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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JB

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13:13 PM, 27th November 2024, About 4 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by Robert Locke at 27/11/2024 - 12:43
Many thanks Robert

I live in Reading

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20:59 PM, 27th November 2024, About 4 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by JB at 27/11/2024 - 08:47
Yes, the more I think about it and from the helpful comments I agree this needs to be the first step.

Ashley

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8:41 AM, 30th November 2024, About 3 weeks ago

I have a property with a piv which was retro fitted into a new build, due to damp problems.
The tenants were not ventilating the property, had too many people living there (creating extra moisture), and drying clothes on radiators. They refused a dehumidifier as they complained it was expensive to run. As a result a piv was installed. It was expensive c £3k. However, the damp problem has improved significantly.

TheMaluka

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10:02 AM, 30th November 2024, About 3 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by Ashley at 30/11/2024 - 08:41
"They refused a dehumidifier as they complained it was expensive to run."
They are not expensive to run, as all the electricity used contributes towards the heating. Convincing tenants is difficult.

John Grefe

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10:08 AM, 30th November 2024, About 3 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by Ashley at 30/11/2024 - 08:41
Typical (some) tenants. Complain but wouldn't do anything to help. In our contracts it forbids drying of clothes on radiators etc, to use a dryer(fitted), If drying clothes, do so in the bathroom or kitchen with windows open and doors shut. Good luck!

Neil P

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11:25 AM, 30th November 2024, About 3 weeks ago

I posted earlier I was about to fit a Blauberg vento to a flat that had persistent condensation issues, despite being a relatively new build. All down to the tenants of course, but it was ruining the flat. We fitted it Wednesday and the next day it was a little better. But today…not a drop on the windows that were normally soaked. Incredible little device. It’s a big flat so I bought the Maxi for £418. I also had to buy a larger-than-normal core drill for £85 (182mm) plus it took the sparky 3.5 hours to fit (we just used trunking off a spur). On max it’s 18.8 watts so costs very little to run, much cheaper than a dehumidifier…and without having to open windows it’ll actually save the tenants’ money. It’s early days but I’m really pleased, as are the tenants. Not the cheapest solution short term but it’ll payback longer-term in decorating alone. Plus my tenants are now staying so no void and tenant-finding fees….

Badger

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12:17 PM, 30th November 2024, About 3 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by I live in Reading at 27/11/2024 - 12:21
"The walls are impossible to drill into"

No concrete on the planet is proof against a decent SDS drill sporting a quality bit.

Similarly, diamond blades fitted to an angle grinder will think very little of slicing right through it.

Diamond cores can be more problematic in really tough stuff as they operate at much lower speeds than angle grinders and typically require considerable pressure to be applied via the tool - which can be difficult to arrange, especially if the the required hole is overhead and the tool is heavy (as it likely will need to be for larger cores).

All of the above suffer if they hit rebar but it is possible to obtain specialist SDS bits that claim to handle this scenario (although my experience with them in this context has been less than stellar, they do still work... eventually...)

Ashley

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14:07 PM, 30th November 2024, About 3 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by John Grefe at 30/11/2024 - 10:08
John, that is a good idea to forbid the drying of clothes in your contract. I will get mine amended.

I live in Reading

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21:00 PM, 30th November 2024, About 3 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by Neil P at 30/11/2024 - 11:25
Thank you for that feedback Neil.

Laura Delow

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5:59 AM, 1st December 2024, About 3 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by Robert Locke at 26/11/2024 - 14:24
Can installing a PIV in a post-war property cause the same problems as pre-war properties? I ask as over the years I've installed loft or wall Heater whole house ventilation system from Envirovent & some properties with additional E'vent fans in the kitchen and/or bathroom if E'vent recommended these too along with shaving doors etc, and they've worked a treat but now I'm worried about damage to floor joists.

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