Thousands of residents in Ireland are enjoying both financial benefits and increased comfort by living in a more energy efficient home, having had insulation improvements made with grants from the Better Energy Homes (BEH) and Better Energy Warmer Homes (BEWH) schemes through SEAI.
With cavity wall insulation accounting for 22% of the measures approved since the start of the scheme up to 1 March 2015, we focus on why ventilation is such a vital partner to insulation for comfortable, healthy living.
A highly insulated, energy efficient home reduces the amount of adventitious air entering through gaps and cracks in the fabric of the building. Therefore a dedicated air supply is required in each habitable room to control water vapour, toxins and odours. Without sufficient ventilation, excess water vapour settling on walls could lead to mould, and toxins from cleaning materials, perfumes and deodorants can contaminate the air. Mould spores, toxins, even particles shed from pets can all contribute towards poor indoor air quality, which studies have shown can cause health issues for the occupants.
The Code of Practice & Standards and Specifications Guidelines have set the levels of ventilation required for the schemes at
- a minimum of 6,500mm² of background ventilation for a habitable room (controllable ventilation that can be adjusted by the occupant for comfort), or
- the requirements set in Technical Guidance Document J for a room containing a combustion appliance (permanently open ventilation that cannot be closed and so accidently remove an essential air supply to the appliance).
All ventilators used are required to be tested to EN 13141-1 which is the set standard for calculating the true airflow of a ventilator; its equivalent area. When sourcing ventilators remember only products with an equivalent area will have been tested in accordance to the EN 13141-1 requirements for residential ventilation.
For contractors seeking economical ventilation for the BEH and BEWH schemes we have two products in particular that are proving extremely popular.
For habitable rooms Rytons Controllable LookRyt AirCore (AC10HP) is our most cost effective retro-fitted adjustable ventilator. With an equivalent area of 7,500mm² and a controllable internal panel, it is fully compliant to the requirements of the Code of Practice & Standards and Specifications Guidelines. At 125mm dia. the unit is quick and easy to fit with no special fixings tools required. You will also leave the homeowners comfortable with the draught reducing design of the internal panel which they can paint or wallpaper to blend in with room’s décor.
For rooms containing a combustion appliance such as a boiler, stove or fire Rytons LookRyt AirCore (AC10LP) is our most cost effective retro-fitted solution. With a high equivalent area of 10,400mm² it will satisfy the ventilation requirements of many appliances to the satisfaction of TGD J and the scheme’s Code of Practice & Standards and Specifications Guidelines. At 125mm dia. the unit is quick and easy to fit with no special fixings tools required. The draught reducing design of the internal panel will leave the homeowners a comfortable environment and they may paint or wallpaper the vent to blend in with the room’s décor.
We also have a range of alternative core ventilator styles with cowls, internal baffles and acoustic linings, which will also satisfy the requirements of the BEH and BEWH schemes – take a look at our brochure or contact us for further information.
Rytons ventilators are readily available through our network of Distributors and Builders Providers in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, contact us for details.
First published on Rytons Blog 04.06.2015