Heating and Ventilation

With the care system in a state of flux, and the number of people suffering from dementia continuing to grow, a boiler’s ability to provide warning signs that trigger a visit will become invaluable, says Terri Taylor, Marketing Coordinator, Intergas Boilers.

September is World Alzheimer’s Month and, on 21st September, we celebrated World Alzheimer’s Day. The campaign was launched in 2012 to raise awareness and challenge the stigma that surrounds dementia, (there are a number of different types of dementia, but the most common is Alzheimer's disease, which accounts for about two-thirds of cases). We’re all aware that this is a global issue - it’s estimated that the number of people living with dementia will increase by over 200%, from 50m in 2018 to 152m in 2050 - but closer to home there are currently 850,000 people with dementia in the UK and, as much as knowledge and research is growing every day, there is no cure. 

Ventilation experts are now offering a condensation and mould service to landlords to help them eradicate this costly problem. Tom Wodcke, Product Marketing Manager at Vent-Axia explains there is now a raft of tools available to help landlords simply and effectively deal with condensation and mould.

Condensation and mould can be hard to treat... Since condensation and mould is such a widespread issue it is not surprising it is to be addressed by the government with the proposed Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Bill. Landlords may soon be obliged to ensure fire safety, adequate heating and sufficient ventilation plus, under the proposed Bill, residents would have the right to sue landlords who let properties that aren’t “fit for human habitation”.

Wembley Stadium was the impressive backdrop for the recent LG renewable heating event that saw the announcement and introduction of the new Therma V R32 Monobloc air to water heat pump range – the first full range of R32 Monobloc heat pumps available.

In addition, LG announced its new partnership with Pacifica Group to provide the new 0800 Repair service available nationwide for LG equipment operators and owners and warmed the attendees of the launch to the prospect of the soon to arrive Metering and Monitoring Service Package – the MMSP – a new tool for servicing and diagnostic procedures for installers developed with Regin.

Resident comfort is at the core of Vent-Axia’s newly updated PoziDry Pro^TM Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) unit. Designed by the UK’s leading ventilation company, specifically to tackle condensation and mould and improve indoor air quality (IAQ) in social housing properties, the next generation PoziDry Pro^TM boasts three new features to help landlords improve resident comfort levels. These design innovations include a tamper-proof lock mode to ensure consistent ventilation performance; selectable summer and winter comfort settings; and a new easy-to-install discreet diffuser, which allows more air movement at a lower noise level.

If a ventilation unit is tampered with it will not deliver the air performance required, potentially leading to condensation and mould which could cause costly damage to the fabric of the building, as well as causing poor indoor air quality which could result in health problems for residents. Vent-Axia has therefore introduced a new interface so that it is lockable at installation, making it tamper proof to ensure consistent ventilation.

The most recent sign of Britain’s ‘cost-of-living crisis’ is rarely out of the headlines; reports of damp and mould in social housing and privately rented properties are on the increase. A key contributing factor to this growing concern is that tenants have been struggling to afford to heat their homes to a reasonable temperature while maintaining adequate levels of ventilation.

Considered only a marginal issue for landlords up until last winter, social housing providers are now facing an increasing number of legal challenges from tenants as a result of a new condensation ‘damp phenomenon’. The problems surrounding damp and condensation, such as asthma, allergies and overall negative impact on well-being are said to be a direct result of rising energy bills and increasing levels of fuel poverty.