Heating and Ventilation

Specifying an electric heating solution for housing, student accommodation, social housing and private rental properties can be a time consuming and difficult task. Each project includes unique regulations, requirements, budget and time constraints – Which means there is no single solution which can cover all projects. With so many electric heating solutions available, it can be hard to choose the perfect heating system.

Housing Associations and their residents have faced many challenges during the COVID Pandemic, not least of all undertaking repairs and maintenance. Whilst some minor issues can be delayed, it is essential homes remain habitable and safe so some repairs and ongoing maintenance can still be carried out. But how can this be done safely? James Kane, from condensation and mould control specialist Airtech Solutions, explains more on what steps both engineers and households can take to protect each other during work in a home.

In 2020 a new problem significantly exacerbated the age-old problem of access to residents’ homes to perform gas safety checks and repairs and maintenance, namely the global Coronavirus pandemic. However, in addition to this there is another way in which social landlords can also be inadvertently skating on thin ice when attempting to stay on the right side of the regulations.

Central to all gas safety regimes is accessing residents’ homes – this is a perpetual problem for all social landlords. It is a time-consuming, costly annual process yet essential for resident’s safety and a regulatory requirement as per the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2018.

With over 15 year’s experience in the electric heating market, The Electric Heating Company witnessed a significant increase in demand during 2020 for their Electric Boilers and the various Electric Radiator models. Another contributing factor is the Governments proposed move towards a decarbonised grid which permits the electrification of heat and marks the end of fossil fuel combustion as a main source of heating. This attractive alternative to combustion fuels is highly efficient modern electric heating systems.

As part of Essco’s ongoing commitment to improving the efficiency of UK heat networks, their latest EDGE heat interface unit has been tested to the BESA HIU standard. Test results include a WVART of just 28°C1 and a quick domestic hot water response, meaning the EDGE-T comes out top for communal and district heating performance.

Leading British ventilation manufacturer Vent-Axia has put its Lo-Carbon PoziDry Pro™ Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) to the test in a real home environment. The PoziDry Pro was installed in a 3-bed home in Reading which suffered from an ongoing condensation and mould problem. Air quality data from before and after the PIV installation showed a sharp decline in both total volatile organic compound (VOC) levels and mould VOC levels after the system was installed, whilst also successfully tackling condensation and mould.

“Ever since the Grenfell tragedy, a lot of areas need to be addressed and revised,” says Lee Caulfield Director of UK Sales at Titon Ventilation Systems.  Lee stresses that even though procedures are in place, the current regulations need to be changed.

Lee continues, “In the aftermath of recent tragic, fire-related events, it has become apparent that various products within a building’s make-up need to be non-combustible.”

Air Bricks are primarily used for ventilation; passively or mechanical depending on the application. Traditional materials used include clay, cast iron and plastic, with plastic being the preferred option.