With new continuous decentralised ventilation boasting near silent operation, silence really is golden for installers, Lee Nurse Marketing Manager at Vent-Axia explains
Installers now have a new great opportunity to upgrade their homeowners’ existing extract fans with the launch of recently developed near silent continuous decentralised ventilation. Traditionally intermittent ventilation systems have been the extract of choice for households since noisy fans have deterred them from opting for continuous systems.
However, with the Government’s ongoing drive to cut carbon emissions the ventilation industry now understands more about building performance than ever before. As a result, we are able to develop sympathetic ventilation systems which are designed to fit not just our homes and but also the way people live their lives. This means that Vent-Axia’s new range of decentralised ventilation systems fit discretely into homes and provide near silent energy efficient ventilation in a more comfortable way.
The principle behind opting for continuous ventilation systems is that air infiltration, especially in our existing housing stock will occur naturally and this can be used successfully as air replacement to aid ventilation systems. However, traditional intermittent ventilation systems (see graph) often provide peaks of high extract airflow which exceeds the natural infiltration rates. This means we are simply warming indoor air and extracting it to the atmosphere, which is not exactly energy efficient.
Instead, the new continuous ventilation systems are designed to work with the natural air infiltration and control the air path from the building thus preventing the migration of damaging humidity and pollutants. This can be achieved by using continuous low speed running extract fans in the wet rooms (bathrooms, kitchens and utility rooms) with a boost via the light switch, an integral pull cord or sensor when higher ventilation rates are required.
By providing ventilation in this way the extract systems can run at a much lower rate all the time, rather than at a high rate for one or two hours a day. As a result the systems are energy efficient, reducing unnecessary heat loss and so saving on carbon and fuel bills for homeowners. Meanwhile, the lower speeds mean very low noise levels which in turn means homeowners will be unaware that fans are running continuously. Finally there are no trickle vents required as the low rates mean that adequate replacement air is available naturally.
The latest fans, such as Vent-Axia’s Lo-Carbon™ Centra provide near silent dMEV solution with Centra offering the lowest specific fan power in its class. The Centra, for example, complies with Building Regulations Part F for continuous mechanical extract ventilation (System 3) and is capable of achieving up to 80% energy savings and a 62kg carbon reduction. So offering homeowners not only literal peace and quiet, but also peace of mind that electrical bills won’t hit the roof.
By incorporating the latest Low Watt DC motor technology the new Centra extract fan delivers the lowest specific fan powers in its class. Offering virtually silent operation, a fresh design and a reduction in the requirement for trickle ventilators, the Centra not only helps improve efficiency, but fits discreetly in modern homes and is simple to install.
Ideal for retrofitting as low energy ventilation into bathrooms, Centra is one element in Vent-Axia’s range of decentralised ventilation solutions. For demanding kitchen environments, specifiers can select Vent-Axia’s Quadra – a domestic fan suited to through-the-wall or ducted applications.
The multi-purpose Quadra meets the requirements of Building Regulations Part F for intermittent fans (System 1) and continuous mechanical extract ventilation (System 3). It provides a guaranteed installed performance thanks to an innovative switch ’n fit feature in the fan and features a range of advanced control options to boost efficiency, and ease installation and commissioning.
Trickle and Boost speeds can be set at installation within an airflow range extending from 6l/s to 60l/s. Quadra also features an integral adjustable overrun timer, delay on timer and self-programming humidity sensor. Operation can be further enhanced through the addition of a variety of Plug-n-Play automatic detection sensors.
With its single 100mm spigot, filterless design and removable motor cassette, Quadra is simple to install and maintain. It will also fit existing ducts, whatever the size, making it ideal for replacement applications.
Compared to traditional intermittent ventilation options, the continuous ventilation technology now available is energy efficient, near silent in operation, discrete and simple to install and use. That’s why when installers are upgrading customers’ existing extract fans, new decentralised continuous ventilation system proves that silence really is golden.
Centra is part of the Vent-Axia Lo-Carbon™ collection of energy saving ventilation solutions. The aim of the Lo-Carbon initiative is to offer the latest low carbon ventilation technology in order to reduce building energy consumption and so carbon emissions. For further information on the Lo-Carbon™ range offered by Vent-Axia click http://www.vent-axia.com/range/vent-axia-lo-carbon-ventilation-range