We live in a 40 year old self build. The construction is slightly strange as downstairs is rendered cavity thermal block and upstairs is a timber frame with rockwool between two sheets of 20ish mm ply. We had the windows replace a couple of years ago (the house's third set of windows) and the fitters made an excellent job of placing them correctly in the walls and sealing them well. (The previous fitters 25 odd years ago had made an atrocious job, they were too far in to the house and leaked dreadfully). The new windows do not have trickle vents on them as I think they look awful.
However the house is still a little damper than I would like. On cold mornings we get a bit of condensation on some windows and we can get a bit of black mould on outside walls in nooks and crannies particularly behind furniture. I use a very good extractor hood to outside when cooking and we dry very little laundry inside, it's either line or drier dried, with the drier venting outside. We are pretty good at opening windows though maybe less so in the winter.
We've had some damp specialists look and they felt it was environmental rather than rising damp and they suggested positive pressure ventilation. I can see how this would help but I am a little sceptical for the following reasons.
- With the new windows the house is more or less air tight. Where is the air that gets pulled in from the loft going to go?
- While the PPV may help with the condensation, will it really help with the mould in dead spaces such a behind furniture, especially in rooms a floor and several turns away from the input.
I'd value any thoughts anyone has, particularly those with positive or negative experience of such systems.
I've had a, well, positive experience with PPV in flat that suffered quite badly with condensation and resulting mould.
The pumps should be an appropriate size for the space and there will always be natural leakage points, no matter how good the windows are (do they have trickle vents?).
I had a PPV system fitted a few years back and would highly recommend. Cuts out the condensation in winter and also improves the air quality - very noticeable after the house has been empty for a couple of weeks that the air is fresh. It is also a reasonably unobtrusive system, a simple vent to the ceiling in the hall way and the (very quiet) fan unit in the loft, mine is a Nuaire Drimaster.
Same here- probably 5/6 years old and just changed the filters. Very satisfiedOriginally Posted by Pathtower
I installed a ppv system about six years back,stopped the condensation within days,changed the filters at four years old they were filthy.Since then I’ve fitted two units for friends,both were pleased with the results.
My house suffered terribly with condensation and black mould developing all over the place. Water was pooling on the bedroom window sills in winter. It’s an 80s build with double glazing, cavity wall insulation and about a foot of loft insulation. At first I tried a dehumidifier but it only really helped in the room it was in and was too noisy to use in the bedroom.
I bought this which I think was about £200 and within a couple of days in midwinter the problem had gone. I was amazed at how effective it was.
The only downside is it blows a bit chilly in the winter, but it’s on the landing so not really that much of a problem. It just creates a bit of a cool spot on the stairs.
If I’d known how effective it would be I’d have splashed out on a more expensive model with a heat exchanger and will do when this needs replacing.
I fitted one about 4 weeks ago and can confirm all the positive comments above. It started to work within days of fitting and there is no condensation on any windows in the house now. The air in the house also feels "fresher" which is nice. I just need to get the black mold washed of the upvc window sealant for the last time! Get one, you won't regret it.
Another positive vote here. As others have said, the effects are noticeable within days and condensation on windows even on the coldest mornings is now a thing of the past in our c. 100 year old well insulated and draught proofed detached house.
We have a digital hygrometer and before installing the PIV the ambient humidity varied between 60% and 70% (from memory, and spiking higher when cooking, drying washing in winter etc.), and by using a dehumidifier for most of the time we could reduce that to around 55%. Since installing the PIV the humidity sits between 42% and 48%, irrespective of the weather and even when cooking.
No dehumidifier now required which is great because they consume loads of electricity. I researched before buying and couldn’t find a negative review anywhere. Very quiet and unobtrusive.
Had one (Nuaire) in a previous property and it completely eradicated the condensation problem. Easy to install too.
R
Ignorance breeds Fear. Fear breeds Hatred. Hatred breeds Ignorance. Break the chain.
I’m about to move back into a one bedroom flat that needs better ventilation. What’s the cost of something like this?
I bought this exact one
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
£300 with 7 year warranty.
For those that have used these - is the heater option something worth having or is a regular one better (in terms of value etc.)?
Cheers
I have the heater version of the Nuaire. The answer is , I don’t know!
I guess in winter the upstairs landing isn’t as cold but I’m norplant sure it makes much difference other than a few degrees and there will be an increase in running costs.
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