Mould has become the topic everyone is talking about, and not just the housing sector. Since Awaab’s Law was announced, damp and mould have been in the news, and this is having a knock-on effect that is being felt through the supply chain. For electrical wholesalers, ventilation is suddenly a hot topic, and Positive Input Ventilation is flying off the shelves. Andy Inskip, Sales Director at Manrose, explains.

Mould is in the news. With Awaab’s Law coming into force for social housing landlords on 27th October 2025, there has been a huge surge in awareness about the health risks of living with mould. Social housing landlords now have to investigate and fix damp and mould problems within strict timeframes, but the ripple effect has reached beyond the social housing sector. Private landlords and homeowners are now paying attention too, and they are looking for quick, effective solutions. For electrical wholesalers, this means they are seeing a surge in Positive Input Ventilation (PIV).

Nationwide problem

Awaab’s Law was introduced after the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, caused by mould in his home. The new legislation aims to stop that ever happening again, forcing social housing landlords to act fast when tenants report damp or mould. Since 27th October 2025, social landlords are required to address damp and mould hazards that present a significant risk of harm to tenants, within fixed timescales. They also have to address all emergency repairs, whether they relate to damp and mould or any other hazard, as soon as possible and within no longer than 24 hours.

While the law only applies to social housing, it has raised public awareness about the dangers of damp and condensation. Homeowners who once ignored black spots on the bathroom ceiling or musty smells are now taking them seriously. Newspapers and social media are now full of mould horror stories, and that is driving consumers to look for preventative solutions, not just a quick wipe with bleach.

Mould is a nationwide problem. The English Housing Survey recently revealed that around 5% of English homes have damp problems, the highest in five years. Condensation is the biggest culprit, affecting 3% of homes overall, and rising to 7% in local authority properties. That is almost a million homes in need of better ventilation

This demand is not slowing down. As Awaab’s Law came in, it highlighted how important it is to keep our homes dry and healthy. The shift in awareness means wholesalers and contractors are increasingly fielding questions about ventilation, condensation and indoor air quality (IAQ). And PIV is becoming the go-to fix.

Positive Input Ventilation

PIV works by drawing fresh filtered air from the loft and gently introducing it into the home. This positive pressure pushes out stale moisture-laden air, reducing condensation and preventing mould from forming.

It is simple, effective and ideal for retrofits, which is exactly what many homes in the UK need. For electricians PIV is a breath of fresh air since it is effortlessly installed. Simple to fit and commission in any size loft, only a hole in the ceiling is needed to fit the diffuser and no external cut outs are needed.

Designed to make both electricians’ and electrical wholesaler’s lives easier, PIV like Manrose’s Lo-Watt Pivotal comes complete with a ceiling diffuser, flexible duct and G4 filters, plus hanging kit and floor mounting base as standard, so there is everything that is needed to complete the installation. Meanwhile, a handle incorporated into the unit makes it easy and safe to carry the PIV which is especially useful when lifting through loft hatches.

The unit is supplied with a diffuser to be installed in a central location within the property e.g. in the main hallway of a bungalow or in the landing in a conventional property. The unit is easily set to the appropriate speed at installation based on the size of the property. Natural leakage points that are present in all properties, as well as purpose provided exhaust points, enhance the air change.

Once the PIV is installed, depending on the property, it could take between a few hours to a few days to start to see the effects and may take a couple of weeks for the areas affected with mould to dry out completely. So, households should be happy with seeing a solution that works so quickly.

Cost of living

Another feature wholesalers should also make electricians aware of is the low running costs of the latest energy efficient PIV. This will make PIV attractive for households in the current cost-of-living crisis. The latest PIV continuously ventilates silently in the background while in ‘Trickle’ mode and uses less energy than a standard lightbulb. They can also recover warmth from the loft air during winter, helping to lower heating bills.

Breathe easy

PIV also provides whole house air purification and humidity control, which adds up to a great solution for households. PIV isn’t just about stopping black mould, it also improves IAQ, reduces allergens and creates a fresher, more comfortable home.

Wholesalers can also reassure their customers that PIV units will not cause an irritating cool draft either. Many units come with a comfort heater which tempers the incoming air. For example, the Lo-Watt Pivotal range includes a heater and non-heater model, the Lo-Watt Pivotal with 500W heater helps reduce the chill as fresh air enters the property.

With this new, increased demand for PIV, being ready with the right stock, product knowledge and advice will make wholesalers a key part of the solution, helping electricians meet demand and helping households breathe easier.

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