We hear how commercial heat recovery has been deployed in a Carmarthen health and wellbeing project.

Vent-Axia’s award-winning Sentinel Apex units have been specified for the landmark Carmarthen Health and Wellbeing Hwb project, delivering energy-efficient ventilation to this transformative multi-million-pound development. The 245,000ft2 scheme is repurposing the former Carmarthen Debenhams building into a Health and Wellbeing Hub.

Facilities

The new hub will offer a range of services including public healthcare, a Customer Service Hwb, and new 24 hour Actif gym. Other facilities will include a family entertainment centre, with indoor adventure golf, toy town soft play, E-Go Karting, and TAG Active. Part-funded by the Welsh Government’s IRCF Fund, with further funding from the UK Government, the development will benefit from Sentinel Apex units installed across all three floors of the building, with four Sentinel Apex HR21 specified to meet the demand of the gym area alone.

Formerly a shopping centre, the building has been redesigned as a dynamic Health and Wellbeing Hwb for the people of Carmarthen. The extensive refurbishment involved a full reconfiguration of the internal space to create a welcoming environment that balances health, wellbeing, and entertainment under one roof. The project team includes: main contractor, Bouygues; M&E Consultant, Hoare Lea; Sub-Contractor, FP Hurley & Sons (Crosshands), and Distributor, Ventilation Warehouse. The Sentinel Apex commercial heat recovery units were specified for their energy efficiency, good indoor air quality, and their ultra-quiet operation, as well as meeting stringent Specific Fan Power (SFP) and dBA acoustic requirements, ensuring a comfortable and compliant building.

Neil Higgins, Contracts Manager, F P Hurley & Sons said: “We chose the Sentinel Apex units because they deliver exceptionally quiet operation and low Specific Fan Power, ensuring they met all Building Regulation requirements. The units were also available in a wide range of airflows, allowing us to specify the correct units for each space. In short, they offered the ideal balance of airflow, low noise, and energy efficiency.”

Adam Bullon from Ventilation Warehouse added: “I have worked with Vent-Axia for a long time. The Carmarthen Health and Wellbeing Hwb was an interesting job with the Sentinel Apex ticking all the right boxes for the project, including energy efficiency, noise, and ease of maintenance. Twenty Sentinel Apex units were delivered over three project stages.”

Maximum comfort

A brilliant fit for the Carmarthen Health and Wellbeing Hwb project, the Vent-Axia Sentinel Apex is the next generation of commercial heat recovery ventilation, providing specifiers help in creating low-carbon buildings. The Sentinel Apex is specifically designed to have a high level of energy efficiency with industry-leading SFP and low embodied carbon. Individuals using the Carmarthen space will find maximum occupant comfort as this has been a priority for the development of the Sentinel Apex unit, operating quietly whilst improving indoor air quality.

The Sentinel Apex offers the highest level of IAQ and thermal comfort, whilst maintaining the lowest energy and noise levels, both of which were vital for this refurbishment. Offering up to 93% heat recovery efficiency (EN308 test method), ultra-low sound levels, which are independently tested and verified by SRL Technical Services Limited, and extremely low SFP, the Sentinel Apex has notable performance improvement in comparison with previous commercial heat recovery units and delivers ‘Simply more as Standard’. Its intuitive controls are compatible with Vent-Axia’s range of Sentinel-X Sensors, allowing for easily configurable set points ensuring optimised IAQ, in line with Part F of the Building Regulations, all while minimising ventilation energy consumption.

In order to achieve the highest levels of IAQ, the Sentinel Apex unit features ePM10 50% extract and ePM1 55% supply filters (M5/F7 equivalent) as standard. By carefully selecting the filter media and by utilising the latest motors and impellers (with better than IE5 efficiency), the Sentinel Apex maintains an extremely low SFP with low sound levels whilst maintaining excellent IAQ. The Sentinel Apex also aids thermal comfort with an integral automatic summer bypass that is designed to provide free cooling when available but is sized to eliminate performance loss.

Specifiers can choose from five sizes, as the Apex has been developed for a wide range of applications, and delivers airflows up to 4000m3/hr. At the Carmarthen Health and Wellbeing Hwb 20 Sentinel Apex units were installed, including four Sentinel Apex HR21s used in the ground floor gym area alone, while Sentinel Apex HR15 units were used for the offices on floor 1 and floor 2, displaying the wide range of Apex units used in the project, in turn ensuring air flow meets design requirements in different parts of the building.

Designed to operate on the principles of demand ventilation, the Sentinel Apex is ideal for applications where the rooms are used at different times of the day by a variable number of people, making it well-tailored to the Carmarthen Health and Wellbeing Hwb. The Sentinel Apex system, with the matched range of Sentinel-X Sensors, can monitor occupancy and air quality, responding by adjusting the ventilation accordingly, to maintain the IAQ and thermal comfort within predefined limits, whilst recovering up to 93% of the extracted thermal energy.

In control

The Sentinel Apex’s new advanced integrated control system has 3 levels of interface, all as standard: simple purpose-designed onboard user interface controlled incorporating an alphanumerical, 2-line display which lets users know how the system is operating with 4-button keypad for fan status and a basic commissioning setup mounted within the control panel. This allows easy commissioning and set-up. A full range of wired and wireless communication sensors available, with either through local mains or battery-powered options.

The controls are designed to take the complexity out of the control system making it easy for the user, with two levels of interface: one for the engineer allowing commissioning and one simpler one for the end-user allowing them to easily monitor and boost the system if additional ventilation is required.

Designed to have a low embodied carbon footprint, Vent-Axia has used the CIBSE TM65 data collection methodology to collect accurate, detailed embodied carbon information for the Sentinel Apex, working from a component level up. This methodology ensures data is comprehensive, accurate, reliable and up-to-date, making it easier for specifiers to focus on designing low carbon sustainable buildings.

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We find out how Aico is improving fire detection systems in ventilated homes.

Flagship Housing is a UK social housing provider, managing over 33,000 homes across the East of England. The organisation not only builds, lets, maintains and improves homes for rent and sale, but also reinvests profits to fund more affordable housing and community-focused services.

Objectives and safety priorities

Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) and Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems are increasingly used within social housing to improve indoor air quality and address damp and mould. While these systems deliver clear health benefits, they also introduce important fire‑safety considerations, particularly around ductwork, compartment penetrations, and the potential for smoke movement within a dwelling.

Since Davin Gee joined Flagship Housing three years ago as Compliance Manager (Electrical), Aico has worked closely with him to develop a robust, standards‑led solution that improves resident safety while providing meaningful compliance assurance.

The project was designed to achieve two primary objectives:

• Improve resident safety in properties fitted with PIV or MVHR systems
• Provide live compliance data and remote notification of fire alarm activations

A key requirement was ensuring fire detection coverage met the intent of BS 5839‑6, particularly in areas where higher‑risk ventilation equipment is installed.

Davin Gee commented: “We at Flagship Housing continuously look at ways to prioritise our residents’ safety whilst at home. One way that we could do that is by increasing fire detection within properties with MVHR and PIV systems. Due to the potential for mechanical ventilation and interconnected ductwork to accelerate the spread of smoke and fire, enhanced detection ensures earlier warning for occupants, mitigates ventilation-related risks, and provides an appropriate level of life safety, particularly for vulnerable residents.”

Fire-risk drivers and life safety considerations

Fire‑safety risks associated with ventilation systems do not generally arise from the units themselves. Instead, guidance consistently highlights risks linked to ductwork, compartment penetration, specification of materials, and the movement of smoke through properties.

Many of the most serious incidents continue to involve smoke spread and compartment failure, reinforcing the importance of effective containment measures.

For Davin Gee, the primary driver for this project was the need to prevent smoke being moved throughout a property during a fire event. While ventilation systems are essential for everyday living conditions, active airflow during a fire can unintentionally aid smoke spread.

By ensuring fire detection is installed in the same areas as PIV and MVHR units, and by automatically isolating ventilation systems when an alarm activates, the approach directly targets one of the most significant life safety risks within the home.

Integrated fire safety solution

Flagship Housing adopted a standardised specification for all properties fitted with PIV or MVHR systems.

Each applicable property is equipped with:

• Ei3024 Multi-Sensor Fire Alarm – Provides enhanced smoke and heat detection.
• Ei428 RadioLINK Relay Module – Isolates the ventilation system upon alarm activation, helping limit smoke and fire spread.
• Ei1000G The Gateway – Enables remote notification of alarm activations and provides live compliance data.

This integrated approach ensures protection for residents while giving Flagship Housing immediate visibility should an incident occur. 

Implementation and installation

Installation is being completed by Karma Electrical & Fire Systems Ltd, an Aico Platinum Partner.

Platinum Partner is an Aico initiative that rewards installers who meet Gold Standard Installer requirements, are registered with NICEIC and hold an ISO 9001Quality Management system certification. 

All installers involved are fully trained and competent, having completed Aico Expert Installer training, Introduction to Damp and Mould, and the City & Guilds assured AA2426‑01 course. Early installations were supported on-site to ensure consistency and best practice from the outset.

Karl Sharman, Managing Director at Karma Electrical & Fire Systems Ltd, commented: “The Aico system is incredibly straightforward to install. From an installer’s perspective it’s well designed, logical, and easy to integrate with ventilation systems. More importantly, it gives the Registered Social Landlord far greater visibility of compliance and resident safety than traditional standalone alarms.”

Key outcomes

The project, initially for the 150 homes where Flagship Housing has ventilation systems installed, now sees that any property that has been retrofitted or any new builds will have these systems installed.

The scheme has already delivered benefits, including:

• Improved resident safety
• Reduces risk of smoke and fire spread within dwellings
• Improved assurance of compliance with BS 5839-6
• Immediate notification to Flagship Housing when alarms activate

Residents benefit from safer homes, while Flagship Housing gains improved oversight and confidence in its fire safety strategy.

Programme status and future specification

The rollout across existing properties is currently underway, with completion expected shortly.

For all new PIV and MVHR installations, this specification will now form the minimum standard, embedding fire safety considerations at the point of design rather than as a retrofit measure.

Trevor Sawyer, Relationship Manager at Aico, said: “I’m extremely proud to have been part of this collaborative approach with Flagship Housing. By strengthening fire detection in properties with MVHR and PIV systems, we’re not only enhancing compliance, but more importantly, helping to make homes safer for residents. It’s rewarding to support a forward-thinking organisation that places tenant safety at the heart of its decision making.”

This project highlights the value of strong collaboration between housing providers, manufacturers, and competent contractors. By focusing on smoke containment, automatic ventilation isolation, and real time data, Flagship Housing has implemented a proactive, resident‑focused fire safety solution that goes beyond basic compliance.

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As continuous ventilation continues to gain momentum across the UK, Ashley Smith, Product Manager at Vent-Axia, explains why dMEV is becoming an increasingly valuable category for electrical wholesalers looking to grow sales, support installers and meet rising demand for higher performance ventilation solutions.

Demand for decentralised mechanical extract ventilation (dMEV) is continuing to rise as the market shifts towards continuous ventilation solutions. With continuous running dMEV now accounting for around one in four fans sold into the UK, the category is creating a significant opportunity for electrical wholesalers. By stocking high quality, feature-rich dMEV products, wholesalers can support electricians with advanced ventilation solutions while benefitting from growing market demand and higher-value sales.

For wholesalers, this presents an opportunity to expand product ranges and support installers with ventilation products that offer more than standard intermittent extract fans. Continuous-running dMEV units are increasingly being selected by electricians and households, creating ongoing demand for products that combine energy-efficient performance, quiet operation, improved indoor air quality, and straightforward installation.

As installers look to offer customers improved ventilation solutions, wholesalers that stock reliable and innovative dMEV products are well placed to become trusted supply partners while increasing basket value and counter sales opportunities.

Higher value sales

Stocking premium dMEV products allows wholesalers to help electricians upsell more advanced ventilation solutions to customers. Products offering intelligent controls, quiet running and improved IAQ provide clear differentiation compared to more basic extract fans, helping installers secure higher-value projects, offering an upsell or spec-break opportunity.

For example, the Vent-Axia Lo-Carbon PureAir Cleanse has been designed as a next-generation continuous-running dMEV that combines premium performance with a competitive trade price. This creates an attractive over-the-counter sales opportunity for wholesalers looking to offer electricians a feature-rich ventilation solution that is easy to recommend and install, with the quality, reliability, and innovation installers expect.

As consumer awareness of IAQ continues to grow, products that provide healthier indoor environments are becoming increasingly attractive. The PureAir Cleanse delivers continuous, energy-efficient ventilation while operating at near-silent noise levels, helping improve comfort within the home. Its sleek, modern circular design also gives installers a product that is visually appealing as well as high performing.

Driving added value

For wholesalers, stocking advanced ventilation products can help increase sales opportunities and provide electricians with clear upgrade paths for customers.

The PureAir Cleanse range, for example, includes models with humidity control, timer and integrated IAQ sensing, allowing electricians to choose solutions suited to different property requirements. Features such as these enable wholesalers to offer products across multiple price points while supporting customers looking for enhanced functionality.

Vent-Axia’s PureAir Cleanse is also the industry’s first dedicated continuous-running dMEV to feature an integrated IAQ sensor. Combining intelligent humidity control with advanced air quality sensing, the unit can detect, measure, and respond to chemical pollutants, specifically total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), which are commonly generated through everyday activities such as cooking, cleaning and showering.

When pollutant levels increase, the fan automatically boosts extraction rates to help maintain healthier indoor air conditions. For wholesalers, innovations such as integrated IAQ sensing create strong sales opportunities by providing installers with a premium, technology-led ventilation solution that addresses growing concerns around air quality and occupant wellbeing.

Comfort

Quiet operation is another increasingly important consideration within the residential ventilation market. Homeowners expect ventilation to operate effectively without causing disruption, particularly within bathrooms and living areas.

The latest dMEV products are therefore designed to run almost silently in the background while continuously maintaining airflow. The PureAir Cleanse, for example, features intelligent control logic that adjusts airflow smoothly and proportionally, helping reduce unnecessary noise and nuisance tripping.

Additional features such as patented delayed comfort control and intelligent light-switch logic further improve household comfort by helping minimise disturbance during night-time bathroom use. These types of features provide wholesalers with additional selling points when supporting installers and contractors looking for premium ventilation solutions.

Installation

Ease of installation remains critical for electricians, making installer-friendly design an important factor when wholesalers select ventilation products to stock.

Products that simplify installation and commissioning can help reduce time on site while improving installer satisfaction and repeat purchases. The Vent-Axia PureAir Cleanse has been designed with this in mind, offering quick installation alongside high-pressure development and a silent mixed-flow impeller that allows the unit to meet the requirements of many domestic applications without requiring a traditional centrifugal fan.

Additional features including flexible wall and ceiling mounting, compatibility with low ceiling voids, an IPX5 rating and simple speed adjustment controls all help streamline installation and commissioning.

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Ruth MacEachern, Product Manager at EnviroVent discusses PIV and MVHR and choosing the right ventilation strategy for healthier indoor environments

As awareness of indoor air quality continues to grow in line with new regulations like Awaab’s Law, ventilation is no longer viewed as a “nice to have” but a fundamental part of delivering healthy, compliant living spaces. Homes today are more airtight than ever, which brings energy efficiency benefits but also increases the risk of trapped pollutants, excess moisture, condensation, and indoor air quality issues if ventilation isn’t properly addressed.

Two of the most commonly specified whole‑house ventilation approaches in UK homes are Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) and Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR). While both are designed to improve indoor air quality, they work in very different ways and suit different property types and scenarios.

Understanding how each system functions and where it performs best is key to ensuring the right solution is specified for each home.

How PIV works

Positive Input Ventilation is a whole‑house system that works by gently supplying filtered air into the property, typically from the loft space. This continuous input of air creates a slight positive pressure inside the home, which helps to push stale, moisture‑laden air out through natural leakage points such as trickle vents, air bricks and gaps around doors and windows.

Rather than extracting air mechanically from individual rooms, PIV focuses on dilution and displacement. Pollutants such as excess humidity, odours, airborne allergens and everyday household contaminants are gradually forced out and replaced with filtered air.

Because the air is introduced at a low flow rate and filtered before entering the living space, modern PIV systems operate quietly and unobtrusively, providing background ventilation without relying on occupant interaction.

The indoor air quality and health benefits

PIV can play a particularly valuable role in reducing condensation, damp and mould, which remain some of the most common indoor air complaints in UK housing. Excess moisture generated from everyday activities such as cooking, showering and drying clothes can quickly build up in poorly ventilated homes, creating ideal conditions for mould growth and dust mite proliferation.

By constantly introducing drier external air, PIV helps to stabilise humidity levels across the entire dwelling, reducing surface condensation and limiting the conditions mould needs to thrive. This, in turn, supports better respiratory health, especially for occupants affected by asthma, allergies or other breathing conditions.

Unlike intermittent extract fans, which depend on manual operation or occupancy sensors, PIV systems run continuously, maintaining consistent air movement and improving overall air freshness throughout the home.

When PIV is the best option

PIV is particularly well suited to existing homes and retrofit scenarios, where installing a ducted ventilation system may be disruptive or impractical.

It is commonly specified in:

• Older properties with limited or inconsistent background ventilation
• Homes experiencing condensation or mould but without major structural defects
• Social housing and private rental properties where minimal disruption is important
• Occupied homes where residents need an immediate, low‑maintenance solution

Because installation requirements are relatively straightforward, PIV offers a cost‑effective and scalable way to address indoor air quality issues across large housing portfolios. Its simplicity, reliability and ease of upkeep make it a popular choice where a quick improvement in living conditions is required.

However, it’s important to recognise that PIV relies on the building’s natural leakage paths to expel air. As housing stock becomes increasingly airtight, this is where alternative strategies may be more effective.

Introducing MVHR

Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery operates on a fundamentally different principle. Rather than supplying air into the property and allowing it to escape naturally, MVHR systems extract stale air from wet rooms such as kitchens and bathrooms, while simultaneously supplying fresh air to living and sleeping spaces via a fully ducted system.

What sets MVHR apart is its ability to recover heat from outgoing air. As warm, stale air is extracted, the heat is retained within the heat cell to pre‑warm the incoming fresh air, improving thermal efficiency while maintaining a continuous supply of air. This controlled, balanced airflow allows MVHR systems to manage indoor air quality with a high degree of precision.

Why MVHR delivers long‑term indoor air quality control

MVHR is particularly effective in airtight, modern properties, where uncontrolled air leakage is minimal and ventilation must be carefully managed.

Because air supply and extract rates are balanced, MVHR prevents pressure imbalances within the home, reducing draughts and helping maintain stable internal conditions. The continuous removal of humidity and pollutants directly from source rooms makes MVHR highly effective at reducing condensation and helping to protect the building fabric.

From an indoor air quality perspective, MVHR systems also offer excellent filtration, helping to reduce the ingress of outdoor pollutants and allergens, which are a growing consideration in urban environments.

When MVHR is the right choice

Under Approved Document F of Building Regulations, MVHR is suitable for a dwelling with any air permeability level, however MVHR is often suited to:

• New‑build homes designed to high airtightness standards
• Properties undergoing deep retrofit or whole‑house renovation
• Homes where energy efficiency and occupant comfort are key priorities

While installation is more complex than PIV, the long‑term benefits in terms of comfort, air quality control and energy performance make MVHR a strong choice where design conditions allow.

Choosing the right system

No single ventilation system is right for every property. The most effective solution depends on a range of factors, including:

• The age and airtightness of the building
• Existing ventilation pathways
• Occupant behaviour and lifestyle
• Budget, disruption tolerance and long‑term performance goals

In many existing homes, PIV provides a practical and accessible route to improving indoor air quality and reducing moisture‑related problems. In contrast, MVHR offers maximum control and efficiency for homes designed to support a fully ducted ventilation strategy.

What matters most is that ventilation is considered early, specified correctly, and matched to the realities of the building and its occupants. With indoor air quality now firmly on the agenda, choosing the right approach has never been more important.

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National Ventilation has launched its Monsoon Energysaver IntelliSense i7 fan in a sleek, black design.

The 7 in 1 IntelliSense i7 is a clever multifunction fan, and as black interiors continue to grow in popularity, the choice of black or white offers a stylish and intelligent choice for wholesalers, electricians and households alike. With a choice of intermittent or continuous running, this ultra-quiet, ultra-modern, smart bathroom fan runs extremely quietly at low speed at just 17dB(A). The ingenious fan also offers an intelligent humidity sensor, a useful overrun timer and presence sensor, and an airing function to avoid stuffy odours in the bathroom.

Offering the versatility to ventilate bathrooms, toilets and utility areas, the 7 in 1 IntelliSense i7 boasts six core ventilation modes including: three continuous ventilation modes; three intermittent modes; and one heat mover mode. Suitable for installation in wet areas (IP44) such as WCs and bathrooms the fan offers further installation flexibility since it is suitable for both wall or ceiling mounting. This makes IntelliSense i7 the ideal choice for electrical wholesalers, who can offer this intelligent fan to their customers, confident that with its 7 in 1 options the fan’s versatility means it will fit the majority of bathroom installations.

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The Manrose Black Tiled Fan is an exciting new addition to the Manrose range. Boasting a sleek, bold design, it is engineered for performance and aimed at customers who want more than just functionality. Offering style, durability and quiet efficiency, the Manrose Black Tiled Fan ticks all the right boxes for modern households.

The Black Tiled Fan brings a fresh aesthetic with its black tiled fascia complementing today’s interior trends and fitting seamlessly into modern bathrooms and WCs. This is paired with a low sound level of only 38dB(A) at 3m and an impressive extraction rate of 75m³/hr (21 l/s). Developed with efficiency in mind, the fan features a low energy motor operating at a maximum of 16W consumption.

Offering electricians an easy install, the Black Tiled Fan is designed for wall and panel mounting, with its comprehensive range including a built-in timer model. Boasting Manrose’s trusted reliability, the fan is manufactured with thermoplastics for strength and durability, has an integral backdraught shutter, and features a high-quality, dependable, long-life motor warranted for a minimum of 30,000 hours, which all adds up to fewer callbacks for installers.

Providing performance you trust and design you choose, the Black Tiled Fan is stylish, reliable and easy to sell, delivering quiet, efficient ventilation for every bathroom. 

To view the full range of products from Manrose, please visit: https://www.manrose.co.uk/

HOW TO ENTER

To be in with a chance of winning, simply choose the correct answer from the following choices:

Q: How many hours is the Black Tiled Fan’s long-life motor warranted to run?

A) A minimum of 20,000 hours

B) A minimum of 25,000 hours

C) A minimum of 30,000 hours

Simply fill out the form below and tell us your answer for the chance to WIN!

Deadline for entries: 31/05/2026

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Vent-Axia’s Lo-Carbon PureAir Cleanse is the industry’s first dedicated continuous-running Decentralised Mechanical Extract Ventilation (dMEV) unit with an integrated indoor air quality sensor. Combining intelligent humidity control with advanced air-quality sensing, it detects, measures and clears the air of chemical pollutants, specifically total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs).

Designed for continuous operation in domestic wet rooms, the dMEV delivers ultra-quiet performance, with independently tested sound levels as low as 7.4dB(A). Ideal for PAS 2035 energy efficiency retrofits, the Lo-Carbon PureAir Cleanse provides continuous whole-house extract ventilation to meet increased airflow requirements in line with Approved Document F (2021).

Intelligent air quality sensing automatically boosts extraction when pollutant or humidity levels rise, helping clear the air quickly while minimising nuisance tripping. Sophisticated fan logic ensures airflow increases are smooth and proportional for improved comfort and efficiency.

A patented delayed start comfort control option allows homeowners to enjoy a quiet bathroom for up to 20 minutes before the boost activates, while a three-minute light-switch delay helps prevent disturbance during nighttime use.

Installation is quick and flexible. The IPX5-rated unit can be wall and ceiling-mounted within Zones 1, 2 and 3, requiring only a 56mm ceiling void and featuring a 100mm spigot for easy retrofit. Meeting UBA air quality standards and backed by a seven-year warranty, the Lo-Carbon PureAir Cleanse is the next-generation dMEV solution electricians can trust.

To view the full range of products from Vent-Axia, please visit: www.vent-axia.com

HOW TO ENTER

To be in with a chance of winning, simply choose the correct answer from the following choices:

Q: What does the integrated IAQ sensor in the Lo-Carbon PureAir Cleanse detect?

A) Temperature changes

B) Total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs)

C) Light levels

Simply fill out the form below and tell us your answer for the chance to WIN!

Deadline for entries 31/03/26

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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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The EDA’s Product Knowledge Modules – winners of two Princess Royal Training Awards in 2022 and again in 2025 – help businesses like yours create cross-selling and up-selling opportunities by building knowledge and confidence. It’s probably why EDA businesses have taken over 11,720 training modules since launch.

Heating and Ventilation is one of the 12 EDA’s Product Knowledge Modules created to develop the professional knowledge and confidence of your team.

Training in Heating and Ventilation includes:

• The principles of heat
• Heating – elements, controls and types of heaters
• The principles of hot water
• Types of water heaters
• The principles of ventilation
• Ventilation applications

Online learning through The EDA Academy

All the EDA Product Knowledge Modules are available to study electronically via The EDA Academy, the Association’s e-learning portal. Each training course is delivered through video and interactive learning, but if the original hard copy textbook is preferred these are still available.

Years of knowledge to give your team a commercial edge

City & Guilds accredited, this training programme harnesses decades of combined expertise from product experts at EDA manufacturers and allied trade associations to create an accessible and practical training opportunity for you and your team.

EDA Product Knowledge modules are also approved for Continuing Professional Development by The CPD Certification Service.

Test your knowledge

Have a go at this quiz sampled from the Heating and Ventilation module. Then check your answers below. If the results show that you need to boost your team’s know-how, talk to the EDA today.

Q1:  Fill in the missing words: Radiation works by ____ moving at the speed of ____ in electromagnetic waves moving away from the _____ source.
Q2: What is another name used for a plinth heater?
Q3: What pressure does a vented hot water system operate at?
Q4: True or false: oil-filled heaters work by a sealed element heating the encased oil.
Q5: The size of an electric multi-point heater ranges from?
Q6: What is the disadvantage of a sub-15 litre unvented water heater?

Scroll down for answers

Answers

Q1: Atoms, light, heat.
Q2: Kick space heater.
Q3: Low.
Q4: True.
Q5: 30 litres to 100 litres.
Q6: Low capacity.

How did you do?

Full marks: Well done.

3 – 5 out of 6: Not bad. Could the EDA training help you to fill in any gaps in your knowledge and help you progress in your career?

Less than 3: The EDA Product Knowledge Programme could be just what you need to boost sales.

Watch the video and download the Course Directory

There’s plenty of information online at www.eda.org.uk including video and a downloadable course directory, giving you a summary of what’s covered in each of the 12 training modules.

The EDA team is ready to help. Call 020 3141 7350 or email training@eda.org.uk

For more information, click here

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The post EDA Insight: Stay cool, not hot under the collar appeared first on Professional Electricians Wholesaler.

Paul Williams, Domus Ventilation Product Manager, offers advice on how to take advantage of the growing residential ventilation market

The UK’s ventilation market is experiencing a period of significant growth and, where there is growth, there is opportunity to be had. Whilst commercial ventilation systems are less likely to be sold through wholesaler and merchant channels due to their more complex nature, residential ventilation products and systems are readily available to retailers.

Exact figures addressing ventilation in the residential sector are hard to come by as they are frequently included within overall HVAC market figures (which is expected to grow from $5.34 billion in 2022 to an estimated $8.35 billion by 2028), or are amalgamated with commercial ventilation. But whichever statistics and market reports you look at, they are all predicting growth for the ventilation sector.

What is driving growth?

In the residential ventilation sector, growth is being driven by two key factors: our increasing awareness of the importance of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), and regulatory change.

With the pandemic still fresh in our minds, stories of damp and mould making headline news, plus urban air pollution firmly on the political agenda, the demand for quality ventilation in our homes to tackle these issues has never been higher. What’s more, the UK has one of the worst records for deaths from lung disease in Europe and the highest rates of childhood asthma. Good ventilation helps disperse viruses, pollutants and dust, and prevents the formation of mould.

Regulatory changes are also a driving force in market growth, notably Building Regulations which has placed greater emphasis on energy efficiency in our new build homes with every revision. As a result, our homes are becoming ever more airtight, but subsequently we must improve their ventilation to make them comfortable, healthy environments in which to live.

But it’s not just new build homes that need better ventilation. ‘Ventilation provision and use in homes in Great Britain: A national survey,’ which aims to identify installed ventilation provision and use in 1861 British homes, found that 71 % of them did not have ventilation provision that would meet Building Regulations. The older the home, the worst the ventilation. Only 11 % of homes had mechanical ventilation and 22 % reported that they had mould or damp on walls or surfaces in their homes. The Social Housing Regulation Bill and the soon to be passed Renters’ Rights Bill include measures to address ventilation in rental properties, which have further accelerated market growth.

What ventilation products should you be looking at?

To really take advantage of the growth in domestic ventilation products across both new build and existing housing stock, I would focus on three core areas: products that enable compliance with latest regulations; products and systems that make for more energy efficient homes; and products that make for a healthier home. Let’s look at each of these in turn.

When it comes to compliance, Building Regulations Part F Ventilation should be followed.  The latest revision to Building Regulations, which came into force in 2022, requires increased minimum air flow rates across all property sizes. That translates into the use of higher performance extract fans in new homes.  But existing properties can benefit from this too, especially those that have issues with condensation and damp. It would be sensible to swap out older fans that will almost certainly be less powerful and therefore unable to deliver adequate air flow.  It’s worth reminding customers of this as they may not have considered extract fan replacement in older properties.

For energy efficiency, Building Regulations states that Specific Fan Power (SFP) must be no higher than 0.5 Watts per litre per second (W/l/s). With extract volume rates up to 48.8 l/s but SFP down to 0.38W/l/s, Domus Ventilation’s latest Axial fans combine high performance and energy efficiency. For the ultimate in energy efficiency though, a residential Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) system is something to push in new build properties. Increasingly popular, MVHR systems combine supply and extract ventilation in a single system, transferring the heat from the outgoing waste air from wet rooms to the incoming air. This helps reduce the home’s heating load by around 25% according to the Centre for Sustainable Energy. To ensure maximum energy efficiency is gained from any fan-based device though, it’s important to only use good quality ducting designed to work as part of that system (Domus Ventilation ducting has been third party tested for end-to-end system performance).

Another great aspect of MVHR systems is their use of filters. Our HRXE MVHR systems come with G3 filters as standard which are 80% efficient at filtering dust mites and coarse dust. With 82.9% of the population in England living in urban areas, according to DEFRA statistics, further filters can be added to MVHR systems in cities to protect against the ingress of NOX and PM2.5. These potentially dangerous pollutants are found in heavier concentrations in urban areas, especially near busy roads and at ground level. Domus Ventilation’s NOX-FILT, for example, prevents up to 99.5% of NO² pollution from entering.

Now is the time

The government has a target of 1.5 million new homes over the next five years, with reforms to the planning system expected to boost the economy by £6.8 billion, according to the National Audit Office. If the target is met, that’s a 40 year high for housebuilding and a huge market for wholesalers to tap into. Ventilation maybe just one aspect within this bigger market, but it is a valuable one in terms of revenue and health. We are, after all, an indoor nation, spending by far the majority of our time in our homes, so a healthy home environment that has good IAQ is a much happier one!

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