Guide to Ventilation

for self-builders and renovators

fresh air by design

Who is this guide for?

If you are thinking about or are in the process of building a new
home or renovating an existing property, then this guide is for
you. We will talk you through the different ventilation solutions
available as well as highlighting the main benefits to you, the
consumer.

Dont be put off

Unless youre an experienced self-builder or a building services
engineer, sometimes the science and technology behind
ventilation systems can seem a little daunting. At ADM we know
that some first-time self-builders feel overwhelmed by the prospect
of understanding, choosing and overseeing the installation of

Did you know

On average, self-builders build
greener homes than volume
builders.

According to
The World Health Report,
2002, an estimated 1.6 million
premature deaths were caused
by poor indoor air pollution.

a suitable system. In fact, the basic principles are surprisingly

simple, and with the right help and support, theres no reason why
choosing and installing a system shouldnt be a smooth, rewarding
and entirely hassle-free part of the self-build process.

Why ventilate your

property?
Good ventilation helps to create a healthier environment for you
and your family. It works by removing polluted and moisture-rich
air found in the home, and replaces it with fresh air taken from

Did you know

We spend 75% of our lives in
the home.

outside.
Effective ventilation is vital not only because it helps to protect
your homes fixtures, fittings and internal structure, it also
safeguards the health, comfort and long-term well-being of its
occupants. Ventilation also helps to minimise or even eliminate the
effects of dust mites for those who suffer with asthma and other
respiratory problems.

Ventilation is a requirement of Part F & Part L of the Building

Regulations (England & Wales) and Government initiatives like the
Code for Sustainable Homes (Ecohomes in Scotland) and SAP. They
are in place to ensure that your new-build is airtight, thermally
efficient and adequately ventilated.

Did you know

A typical family of four
produce as much as 18 litres
of moisture per day from
cooking, breathing & washing!

Heating, insulation and ventilation must work together in

order to provide a balance between energy efficiency and
good indoor air quality.

Common problems

Fact
There are around 1,500 asthma
related deaths in the UK
per year, 60% of these are
attributed to dust mite allergies!

Moisture in the air can lead to condensation and mould growth.

House dust mites flourish in damp conditions, which can lead to
asthma and other health issues.
Construction materials, paint, cleaning products and carpets
all used in the home give off harmful Volatile Organic
Compounds (VOCs).

Fact
Radon exposure is the biggest
cause of lung cancer after
smoking.
Cancerresearch.org.uk

Radon is an odourless gas that comes from water, soil and rocks.
It is harmless in the outdoor air, but when trapped within a
dwelling can be extremely dangerous to your health.
Everyday odours from cooking, domestic pets, our bodies, toilets,
Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS), circulate around the home.
Potentially dangerous gasses, including carbon dioxide and
carbon monoxide, together with ETS, pose serious health risks.
Modern homes are designed to be airtight, creating an almost
complete seal, which leads to the internal air being stale,
unpleasant and polluted.
Airborne pollen from trees, grass and flowers, which circulate
around the home, can cause debilitating symptoms for hay fever
sufferers.

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What ventilation
options are available?
Because ventilation plays such an important role in your home and
will do for many years to come, it is worth taking your time to
consider what will best suit your needs.
Here well guide you through the different options available
to you:
Some key questions to consider when choosing your ventilation system:
Key
Questions

Ventilation
Solution

A system
which
doesnt need
trickle vents?

Does the system

work 100%
effectively
throughout the
house, with
the window
shut? *

Does the
system
have a low
operating
noise level?

Is fresh,
filtered air
spread evenly
throughout
the house?

Does the
system
recover heat
and reduce
the demand
for energy?

Open Window

Extractor Fans

Passive Stack
Ventilation (PSV)

Central Extract
Ventilation (MEV)
Whole House
Mechanical
Ventilation with Heat
Recovery (MVHR)
* Being able to keep the window shut means that you can exclude noise, dirt, dust, pollen and potential intruders.

Did you know

Open windows, trickle vents
and extractor fans can cost
you 40% of your heating bills!

Fact
Open windows do not satisfy
building regulations as your
only form of ventilation.

Why cant I just open my window?

Although its true that open windows do let in fresh air, not only
does this compromise your homes security and possibly invalidate
your household insurance, it isnt actually effective. With no
filtration system at work, pollens and allergens enter the property
and are likely to cause problems for allergy sufferers. Whats more,
because fresh, dry air isnt properly circulated, condensation from
wet rooms is likely to remain a problem and pose a serious risk to
fixtures and fittings. Increased noise pollution is another drawback
of trying to ventilate your property with an open window.
In terms of financial and environmental costs, leaving windows
open is highly inefficient, wastes heat and will dramatically
increase your households energy consumption, carbon footprint
and monthly utility bills.

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What are the major benefits for a

Whole House Mechanical Ventilation
with Heat Recovery System (MVHR)?
These systems provide the ideal ventilation solution. Not only are
they energy efficient and highly reliable, they are also surprisingly
affordable in both the short and long-term.

Fact
With an MVHR system you can
recover over 90% of
your heat.

The principles of heat recovery are simple: contaminated stale air is

continuously replaced by warmed, fresh, filtered air. Importantly, a
highly efficient heat exchanger is used to recover over 90% of the
stale airs heat and transfers it to the incoming air. In the summer
months a bypass system allows fresh, filtered air to be introduced

Fact

without being heated by the heat exchanger.

No need for trickle vents or

extractor fans with an MVHR.

The end result is a high performance ventilation system that keeps

your home supplied with clean, fresh air. Recovering and re-using
existing heat also results in cost savings, whilst the fact that trickle
vents arent necessary makes this system particularly suitable
where planning regulations dont allow for their use on buildings
that have noisy neighbours such as major roads, railways etc.

Go to
www.admsystems.co.uk for
the latest statistics on the
ground-to-air heat exchanger.

So, if you would like to lower your carbon footprint, have a

constant flow of fresh air, control condensation, increase your
security and benefit from less noise then perhaps a heat recovery
system is the solution for you. Its also likely to increase your
property value and certainly reduce your running costs.

Ground-to-air heat exchanger (GAHX)

A ground to air heat exchanger works in conjunction with the
MVHR to really make the most of your natural surroundings.
By drawing air through an underground network of pipes, the GAHX
provides an extremely cost effective source of renewable energy by
using the temperature of the ground. At depths of 1.5 to 2 metres,

We are delighted with the

energy efficiency of our new
home. We wanted to make it as
sustainable as possible, which
meant making full use of our
natural resources. It is wonderful
to know that with the GAHX we
are using the ground around us
to make our MVHR system even
more efficient.
Geoff Spence

the earths temperature, in the UK, is a constant

8-12 C regardless of the time of year or the outside air temperature.
This significantly reduces your heating and cooling bills as well as
providing long-term environmental benefits.

+16C air temp

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+4C air temp

Central Extract Ventilation

Often referred to as MEV or Mechanical Extract Ventilation,
contaminated air is removed from the wet rooms bathrooms,
kitchens, utility rooms and replaced with fresh air from trickle
vents together with air leakage in the habitable rooms.
The advantages include straightforward installation, quiet
operation and continuous, low-level background ventilation,
with a boost facility, for example when cooking. Typically only
one power supply and one penetration through the buildings
envelope.
The main disadvantages are that the system wastes heat as well as
creating draughts and requiring trickle vents.

We are delighted with the

MVHR system as it has helped
alleviate our asthma and
made the whole family much
less allergic.
Denise Gaydon

Go to
www.admsystems.co.uk to
read all our case studies in full.

Extractor Fans
These fans operate intermittently and can be controlled by the
occupant; they are installed in a propertys wet rooms.
The advantages they offer include easy installation coupled with
the ability to remove pollutants quickly.

We have been delighted with

the energy efficiency of the
MVHR system and when you
consider the acoustic benefits,
it is now one of the most useful
features of our new home.
Dr Edworthy

The main disadvantages are that they waste heat, require

trickle vents, are noisy and create draughts. They are sometimes
overlooked by occupants who forget to switch them on or off
and are also prone to tampering. Installing each fan requires holes
to be made in the buildings external fabric, it is unlikely that
these will be finished with a truly airtight seal, leading to further
heat loss. Extractor fans are considered by many to not be very
aesthetically pleasing.

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Passive Stack Ventilation

PSV systems avoid using electric fans by employing a stack effect
to draw warm air up from wet rooms through ducts. Fresh,
replacement air is brought into the property through window
trickle vents and wall inlets within the buildings habitable rooms,
whilst humidity controls ensure supply always matches demand.
The two main advantages are that its silent in operation and has
We are highly delighted
with the efficiency of the
MVHR system as it saves us a
huge amount on our heating
bills by cutting the wasteful
loss of heat. It was an added
advantage that it avoided the
need for trickle vents in our
beautiful oak windows.
Anthony Robinson

no running costs.
The disadvantages are that the ducts must be near vertical to the
ridge or roof terminals, and that the lack of pressure differences
affecting airflow might mean its necessary to use an open window
or additional central fan during warmer weather. This system also
wastes heat and may cause draughts, whilst humidity controlled
inlets will require extra ventilation when low humidity occurs.
Finally, window trickle vents and wall inlets are required.

What are the key

considerations when
planning for your new
system?
Following these tips will help you to avoid some of the expenses,
delays and pitfalls experienced by self-builders and renovators who
embark on projects unprepared.

Start as early as possible

Did you know

By 2013, privately built
dwellings will need to attain
a minimum level 4 in the Code
for Sustainable Homes.

The best way to ensure the smooth integration of an appropriate

ventilation system into your self-build is to consult a specialist
team as early as possible, preferably during the planning process.

Consider the system location

As well as considering which ventilation system you might use,
you should think about where it will be positioned within your
property, especially since planning regulations might dictate
that certain conditions are met, such as the position of external
terminals. Although modern systems are highly reliable and need
very little maintenance, its necessary to have access to the system
for routine cleaning and servicing.

Know the rules

Although the legislation surrounding emissions and sustainability
sometimes seems complicated and changeable, its vital that you
know your legal obligations and familiarise yourself with the latest
or imminent legislation that might affect your self-build. Think
carefully about issues like planning permission, and remember
that in built-up areas, near busy roads or airports the use of trickle
vents may not be allowed. A reputable consultancy can help you
navigate the rules and regulations relevant to your situation.

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10

Since fitting the MVHR system

we have virtually eliminated the
problem of condensation, which
means we no longer get black
mildew on the walls. That has
created a much more pleasant
and healthier environment for
my family.
Phil Smith

Strive for airtight and energy efficiency

If your aim is to create an airtight, energy efficient and wellinsulated building, your biggest potential source of heat loss is
your ventilation system. Its imperative, therefore, that you recover
the maximum amount of heat that you would otherwise lose.
Without an effective ventilation system, most new-build properties
are prone to relative humidity levels of more than 70% - increasing
your risk of house dust mites, condensation and mould growth.
Compromising on your system will seriously jeopardise the overall
performance, healthiness and cost-efficiency of your new home.

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Choose carefully
Whoever you choose to supply your ventilation system, make
sure you have chosen them carefully. Its worth remembering that
an experienced and reputable team wont just design and install
the very best system for your particular brief, theyll also project
manage the process and ensure that the jobs completed on time
and on budget.

Some key questions to ask include:

Are they accredited by TrustMark to guarantee you a job
well done?
Can they offer installation and commissioning of the system?
Do they specialise in working with self-builders and renovators?
Will they provide truly impartial information and advice, or
will they only recommend products and systems from a single
manufacturer?
Are they members of HVCA, an association who monitor

Dont forget
Pay careful attention
to the installation and
commissioning, so that the
system operates efficiently
without compromise.

operating procedures and standards?

Do they know all the rules of ventilation? Too little ventilation
leads to poor air quality and inadequate removal of pollutants
and condensation. Excessive ventilation can cause discomfort
through cold draughts and lead to increased heating costs.
Have they specified good quality ducting & accessories? The
ductwork is an essential part of the system and must be of a
standard that does not adversely affect its performance or lower
your SAP rating.

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What makes ADM

the perfect self-build
partner?
Being a self-builder youll need advice on a lot of issues, and
ventilation is no exception. As technology doesnt stand still it is
our job to make sure we keep up-to-date with the advances that
are being made. We are not tied to any supplier or manufacturer
so we can offer you independent advice on a whole range of

Dont forget

different systems that are not only right for your house but right

Free, no-obligation design

when you send in your plans

for you.

Specialist
Being at the forefront of the development of heat recovery
ventilation in the UK, we have over 30 years experience in working
with self-builders. We truly specialise in this field and encourage
you to have an informal chat with one of our designers, so
you can find out exactly what works for you. You would be
very welcome to visit our showrooms, in Skipton or Swindon
(Buildstore), alternatively we can call and see you, whichever is
convenient there is no obligation.
As soon as you send in your plans, leave the rest to us. From
the initial design stage through to installation, commissioning
and balancing, well be with you every step of the way. Should
you decide to install the system yourself, well help you through
the process. After your system is up and running you wont be
forgotten, we offer maintenance and servicing on all products. No
matter how big, small or how long youve had the system well be
on call to help with any issue.

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We were very impressed

with the expertise offered
by ADM Systems. They were
able to recommend a selection
of appropriate systems from
the SAP Appendix Q website,
along with providing a
complete supply, installation
and commissioning service to
the client.
Elaine Graham, Architect

True independence
We recommend products from a wide range of respected brands
without any bias towards one supplier. Every system is unique,
rather than off-the-peg from a single manufacturer. Our custom
designed and tailor-made solutions utilise the best handpicked
components for a given application. In practice this means you
end up with a system that has been built without compromise.
Our buying power enables us to provide you with a cost effective
competitive solution.

Quality assurance guaranteed

All our systems are covered by full manufacturers warranties and
will be properly installed, commissioned, tested and serviced by
our qualified and approved technicians. We are also TrustMark
Accredited.

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To help you with all the issues discussed in this guide, here is a list of contacts you might
like to keep for future reference:
Building Regulations Part F Ventilation (England & Wales)
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF_ADF_2010.pdf
Building Regulations Part L Conservation of fuel & power (New Dwellings)
(England & Wales)
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF_ADL1A_2010.pdf
Build Regulations 3.14 Ventilation (Scotland)
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/217736/0097977.pdf
Building Regulations Part F Ventilation (Republic of Ireland)
http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/BuildingStandards/
FileDownLoad,1647,en.pdf
Building Regulations Ventilation (Northern Ireland)
http://www.dfpni.gov.uk/ventilation.pdf
Code for Sustainable Homes (New-Builds) (England & Wales)
http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/
codesustainhomesstandard.pdf
Cracking the Code Helping you understand the Code for Sustainable Homes
(England & Wales)
http://www.housingcorp.gov.uk/upload/pdf/Cracking_the_Code_20080528102051.pdf
Ecohomes A version of BREEAM for Homes, providing a rating for all
new-builds (Scotland)
http://www.breeam.org/page.jsp?id=21
SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure) Appendix Q Highlights the most
efficient ventilation products
http://www.sap-appendixq.org.uk
Energy Saving Trust - Guide to ventilation
http://www.greenspec.co.uk/documents/refurb/Efficient_ventilationGPG268.pdf
Asthma- Information to help people affected by Asthma
http://www.asthma.org.uk
Passivhaus A specific construction standard for energy efficient homes
http://www.passivhaus.org.uk
TrustMark - Advice on trustworthy tradesmen
http://www.trustmark.org.uk
AECB - Sustainable Building Association
http://www.aecb.net
BRE - Provide consultation on achieving better buildings
http://www.bre.co.uk
NASBA - National Self Build Association
http://www.nasba.org.uk
NHBC - The National House-Building Council
http://www.nhbc.co.uk
HVCA - Heating and Ventilation Contractors Association
http://www.hvca.org.uk
SIPS An advanced method of construction
http://www.uksips.org

fresh air by design

Ling Fields
Gargrave Road
Skipton
North Yorkshire
BD23 1UX
t: 01756 701051
f: 01756 701076
e: info@admsystems.co.uk
www.admsystems.co.uk

ADM Systems reserve the right to alter specifications without prior notice, E & O.E.