Ventilation is Important for Sustainable Homes

Ventilation is Important for Sustainable Homes

By Ruth MacEachern

Product Manager

With ever growing concern about our individual impact on the environment and how we can minimise our contribution to ongoing climate change, people are increasingly looking at ways in which they can embrace sustainability in their homes and lifestyle.

What are sustainable homes

Sustainable homes are defined as part of a set of government guidelines called “the code for sustainable homes.”  This document lays out the methods by which newly built homes can be certified as sustainable based on their energy consumption and retention.  The building regulations that cover all homes built in England now include several sustainability standards outlined in the code.

The criteria that are used to certify sustainable homes cover a range of factors:

• Energy use and carbon dioxide emissions
• Water saving measures
• Source of building materials
• Environmental impact of the building including surface water run-off
• Recycling of waste including construction waste
• Pollution caused by materials used in insulation and heating systems
• Measures to improve the health of residents
• Impact on local ecology

The government has set out standards for each of these areas that need to be met for a house to be certified as sustainable.

Air Leakage and Sustainability

In most cases, the more air that leaks from a building, the more energy in the form of heat is wasted.  This increases the amount of fuel required to heat the building.  Modern homes feature substantial insulation in the loft and wall cavities, but this can be undermined by the gaps and cracks that are found in any building and which provide a way for warm air to escape around insulation.

Maintaining Airflow in an Airtight Home

Avoiding gaps in the structure of the building means better heat retention, but it can also lead to the air indoors becoming stuffy and stale.  In some areas of the country, an airtight building could also lead to the excessive build-up of harmful Radon gas.

Maintaining air circulation in a home is important to health, and since we spend around 70% of our time inside our homes, good ventilation is hugely important, particularly in sustainable properties which have been designed to prevent air from leaking.

Good Ventilation is a Key Part of Sustainable Homes

To address the problems of inadequate air flow in an airtight, sustainable home, controlled ventilation is essential.

Good ventilation helps to prevent the build up of stale air, Radon gas, and elevated levels of moisture that can lead to condensation, damp, and mould.

Whole house ventilation systems that incorporate heat Recovery (MVHR) provide an energy efficient and sustainable means of improving airflow throughout every room in a house and avoid unnecessary heat loss. 

Find Out More

If you are looking at ways to improve the energy efficiency of your home, our local ventilation specialists can help.  Contact us today to book a free home survey where an expert will look at the best solution for your ventilation needs with a modern system that counters issues such as condensation while protecting your home.