COMPANY INTRODUCTION Welcome to the 7 th edition of the EnviroVent Guide to Indoor Air Quality Poor indoor air quality is an increasing problem in our homes and as new properties are required to be built to be more airtight than ever before, it is essential and more widely accepted that ventilation needs to be given significant consideration. Condensation and mould are amongst the biggest concerns for householders, with a recent survey revealing that 20% of people reported that it was causing them issues in their homes. Recent research concluded that asthma cases are set to increase by 80% by 2050 (source: study by Professor Awbi, University of Reading) and there is a very real need to address the issue of installing efficient ventilation systems to keep us healthy and to protect the fabric of our homes. The NICE (National Institute of Clinical Excellence) has recently released its outline scope for a research project into indoor air quality in homes. The report sets out to identify the impact that poor indoor air quality has on health and the fabric of our homes. It outlined how, in the UK, we typically spend 60 to 90% of our time indoors, 60% of that time at home where we are potentially exposed to air pollutants from building materials, furnishings and cleaning products, as well as moist air from cooking, bathing and drying clothes on radiators. Indoor air pollutants also come from mould, or outdoor pollutants entering through windows or gaps, which has a significant impact on air quality. Exposure to air pollutants including Radon, Volatile Organic Compounds, in the form of paints, aerosols or other chemicals are widespread and can lead to a number of respiratory and dermatological diseases. In view of the Government’s ambitious delivery plan to build at least 200,000 new homes every year it is vital that building materials are selected for their quality and sustainability in securing a long-term vision for the UK’s built environment. We must also consider the needs of those living in these new homes, ensuring that the fabric of the building is fit for purpose to provide long-term healthy dwellings. According to research by the NHBC (National House Building Council), requirements for increased levels of air tightness mean that around 25 per cent of new homes are now being specified with Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems. Here at EnviroVent, we have been experiencing an upward trend in demand for our growing range of Heat Recovery systems. Correct installation is, however, essential in MVHR applications to ensure their effectiveness and since domestic ventilation became notifiable work, installation must be carried out by a competent and qualified person. It is vital that the installation of any domestic ventilation system is correct and meets the minimum requirements set out in regulations and standards. Housebuilders and developers are therefore encouraging their installers to be NICEIC trained, which means they can work with the latest types of domestic ventilation products safely and efficiently, receiving technical information and advice plus practical support. EnviroVent believes passionately in supporting these guidelines in conjunction with having products and services that meet ‘real world’ demands of consumers and our NICEIC approved centre in Harrogate ensures that installers are qualified to inspect and test ventilation systems, as well as to commission them effectively. Part of achieving best practice installation, is the introduction of airtight and rapid-fit ducting for optimum ventilation performance and efficiency. Our range of thermal and semi-rigid Fast Track Ducting delivers just that, saving time and complexity onsite. The Connected Home Smart devices are everywhere in UK homes. Not just smart phones, but smart lighting systems, white goods, printers, entertainment systems, hub-style personal assistants, and even cars. At EnviroVent, we continue to invest in new technology, with an emphasis on connectivity. We see the ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT) as one of the main forces driving innovation and growth in our business. What this means in practice, is that we are no longer ‘just’ a manufacturer of ventilation units – the product is becoming much more than the sum of its component parts. Our award-winning ‘myenvirovent’ app assists in achieving good practice installation of ventilation products and minimizes the pitfalls that occur to improve commissioning and installation. It also gives the user total control of their MVHR ventilation system from anywhere in their home via their Apple or Android smartphone or tablet. Not only does the app give users greater flexibility to amend their ventilation rates, customers also get notifications about maintenance – such as when a filter needs changing. The app is extremely user-friendly and flexible, allowing the installer to set up the ventilation rates with visibility of the unit’s current status at the touch of a button. Through its use, consumers can also access user guides, technical documents and can provide feedback and future product requests to the EnviroVent R&D centre. Our passion for designing and developing sustainable and low energy products is as strong now as it was 30 years ago and we continue to invest in developing the next generation of ventilation products. To allow our customers to see firsthand the benefits of achievements, we now have two showrooms in the UK, one in Swindon at the NSBRC and the other at our Training Centre of Excellence in Harrogate. Here, customers can experience the various types of ventilation and witness how the new myenvirovent app works with our MVHR units. EnviroVent’s business and livelihood depends on you, our customers and our stakeholder engagement. Our purpose for being in business is to listen and understand your needs and exceed your expectations before, during, and after the delivery of our product and service, and to do it better than any other company in the industry. We now work with over 500 registered providers of Social Housing, Housebuilders and Communities on a daily basis and have installed our products in over a million homes - all of which recognise the clear social and health benefits of EnviroVent products. We support local communities in which we operate through employing the largest nationwide team of local installers and engineers. We have big plans to maintain our success, creating many more jobs as a result. Obviously, this can only be achieved by adding and retaining our customers. So on that note, if you are an existing customer we thank you wholeheartedly for your support over the years. If you are new to EnviroVent, please call us or try out our products or services, we guarantee that you will not find better value from anywhere else in our industry and we will not let you down. Managing Director Follow us on Instagram Find us on LinkedIn For more information visit www.envirovent.com or call 01423 810 810 2 Company Introduction
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