Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) is a wonderful way to regulate the quality of indoor air. This kind of system lets in a stream of pure air into a home, thereby getting rid of humid, stale air which leads to dampness problems- such as condensation. Generally, PIV systems are small. They are attached to the duct of landings, hallways, and other common spaces, on flat walls and in-home lofts. This kind of system works slowly and draws pre-heated air constantly into the property. In just a 24-hour period, this air is fully replaced several times. If you are facing respiratory problems due to allergies, black mould issues, or condensation problems, you would benefit from installing this kind of system in your home.
How Does a PIV System Work?
It works by drawing pure air into the void of the roof or straightaway into the flat where the Positive input ventilation system (PIV) unit filters it. Then, the built-in air heater tempers the filtered air. It is then drawn into the living area.
This extra inflow of air leads to the positive air pressure that compels moisture-laden and stale air to go out of the home via leakage points that are available.
Kitchens, bathrooms, and other spaces need extraction fans that provide a full ventilation solution for the entire home. It is possible to use this kind of system in all kinds of properties – new as well as old ones. As it helps in the recirculation of warm air into the home, it’ll also save you a lot of money on heating expenses. This is also a low-cost system, as it works at nearly 1 – 2 pennies all year round when it is necessary to have an air heater in your home.
Why Should a Positive Input Ventilation Unit Be Used?
You can make your property draught-resistant as well as energy-efficient with the help of:
Insulation
Double glazing
Draft proofing
All these solutions can improve the quality of living in your home. However, there can be the issue of relative humidity due to the rise in the amount of moisture in the inside air and the lack of ventilation in your house.
Due to humid air, there can be various problems like:
Respiratory problems for asthmatic people
Dust mites
Black mould
Condensation
These issues can be prevented with the help of a Positive Input Ventilation system, which can dilute, displace, and replace all the humid air from your property. This has various benefits, such as:
1) Prevention of mould growth and condensation
When the air gets cooler, there is a condensation of high relative air humidity on various surfaces. Mould spores begin to form and spread quickly on spaces that are often impacted by condensation.
The use of a PIV system can help maintain a stable relative humidity of air and can prevent the issues of black mould as well as condensation.
2) Better health
In rooms that are impacted by condensation, black mould soon starts germinating. There is a bad musty smell in properties that are mould-affected, which can harm individuals suffering from asthma and other respiratory ailments.
3) Reduced consumption of energy
Your radiators emanate heat, which settles atop your property. This lost heat is circulated by the PIV system into your house – which keeps the inside of your home warm and reduces the need for spending on heating your property during the colder months.
4) Full property ventilation
Positive input ventilation systems can ventilate the entire property. Unlike run-of-the-mill extraction fans, these circulate air throughout a property. There is air circulation even when the doors of a room are closed if a small gap is there under the doors. and Positive Input Ventilation: The Ultimate Cure for Condensation
5) Noiseless functioning
When a PIV system works, it gives off air gently. Even while working at a regular speed, it generates almost no noise.
Can a PIV Unit Be Used in Any Property?
It is possible to use high-quality ones in about any residential establishment. Whether you stay in a flat, detached home, a bungalow, or a multi-story property, a suitable system can be recommended by damp experts – which can help take care of your requirements easily.
A PIV unit draws the gathered heat back into the living area from the roof space, thus benefiting property owners during the colder months. This system stays concealed in the loft area, and only a small ceiling outlet can be viewed from a landing or hallway.
In homes lacking a loft, a wall-mounted PIV system – which operates with the same working principle – can be useful. It can draw fresh air into your house and remove moist air from the rooms.
You can use both units along with humidistat extraction fans, to get a perfect ventilation solution for the entire home. PCA accredited experts can recommend the best combination for your house. There will be no need for opening windows to get proper ventilation.
- Are PIV units noisy?
These kinds of systems are practically noiseless when they work at a regular speed. There can be a little more noise if you raise the setting to reduce more moisture in your house. After humidity gets reduced significantly, you can reset the unit and make it run at a normal speed.
- Can it give me cooled fresh air?
It is possible with an electronic moisture meter which requires drilling little holes into the wall and placing deep probe sensors inside. It shows the moisture level.
- Can it heat up the fresh air?
There is a built-in heater in many regular PIV units, which can heat up the filtered fresh air automatically. In case the air inside or outside the loft is found to be warm enough, the heater will turn off and switch back only when there is a drop in temperature level.
- Does a PIV system need much upkeep?
Such a unit is fully autonomous, upon proper installation. In order to match higher levels of humidity, you can adjust the unit to improve the flow of air. That said, you need to replace the air filters on these units according to the instructions of manufacturers – 3 years for a wall PIV system and 5 years for a loft PIV unit.
