Air Vent Technology: Our 2024 Highlights Posted on 12/12/202412/12/2024 by Ella Walker As we head closer to the end of the year and begin thinking about 2025, we wanted to reflect on the past year here at AVT and everything we have achieved.OperationsFirstly, this year saw us invest in 2 very exciting pieces of equipment. We kicked off 2024 with our new production line and lift and, more recently, in October, our new state-of-the-art wrapping machine. The installation of the new wrapping machine has immediately reduced the labour and material costs associated with wrapping and dispatching pallets. Find them here and here.Workplace SpiritOf course, here at AVT, we are all about being a team, and this was highlighted back in September during our employee BBQ and team-building afternoon. Everyone got involved in the games that involved the mind, agility, and communication—something for everyone! Also, we are not forgetting our staff appreciation day, which was complete with cakes!The TeamWe’ve had many new team members, who you might have spotted on our LinkedIn, including our Special Projects Manager, Guy Miller. If you want to learn more about Guy, you can check out his blog here.Don’t forget if you haven’t already, then follow us on LinkedIn. You’ll see weekly behind-the-scenes content as well as links to our monthly blog posts and case studies as soon as they go live!Thank you for your support this year, and we look forward to all the exciting things 2025 will bring.Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
How to Ventilate Your Residential Property During Winter Posted on 28/11/202428/11/2024 by Ella Walker As the winter months roll in, ensuring proper ventilation in your home or residential property is just as important as keeping it warm. The dark chill outside might mean you focus more on indoor warmth. But it’s also essential to maintain proper airflow to combat issues like mould, condensation, and indoor air pollution.Here at Air Vent Technology, we know a thing or two about creating a comfortable, healthy indoor environment – even when it’s so cold outside that slippers, blanket, and a hot drink seem the only sensible choices. This article will explain why ventilation matters in the coldest months and how to keep your home free from ventilation problems during the depths of winter.Why Winter Ventilation MattersIndoor air can be up to 10 times more polluted than outdoor air. So fresh indoor air isn’t just something to dismiss. It’s actually a critical factor for your family, tenants and residents’ long-term health.One of the leading causes of wintertime condensation and mould is excess humidity. Everyday activities such as cooking, showering, and even drying clothes release moisture into the air. If you’ve ever been in a poorly ventilated kitchen – with hobs blazing, pans simmering, and windows fogging up – you’ll know exactly how quickly condensation can form.Without proper ventilation, this humidity has nowhere to escape, leading to damp walls, musty odours, and even health problems like respiratory issues.But that’s not all. Stale indoor air can also spread germs and exacerbate illnesses – which is far from ideal with flu season fast approaching.Top Tips to Keep Residential Properties Ventilated in WinterWhen there’s frost on the ground, very few of us would consider opening windows to circulate fresh air. But here’s the good news: ventilation doesn’t have to mean sacrificing comfort.Here are some simple and effective ways to keep the air flowing in your property while still preserving warmth:• Heat and ventilate unused roomsSpaces like conservatories and guest rooms often get overlooked in winter. But keeping these areas heated and ventilated will help to prevent stagnant air and moisture build-up.• Let in fresh air (briefly)It only takes five minutes for fresh air to circulate in a room. Open a window, go make a cup of coffee, and by the time you’re done you’ll have let in enough clean air without the indoor temperature drastically dropping.• Clean your extractor fansIn kitchens and bathrooms, these are your best friend. Keep them clean – and don’t forget to change the filters. A well-maintained fan is one of the easiest ways to control humidity.• Ventilate while showeringRunning hot water indoors while outdoor temperatures are plunging is a perfect recipe for window condensation. Before you get in the shower, open the bathroom window or turn on an extractor fan. This will help to release steam immediately and prevent any build-up.• Rethink drying clothesUse a tumble dryer instead of radiators for drying clothes. Radiators add unnecessary moisture to the air, increasing the likelihood of condensation.AVT Products for Hassle-Free Winter VentilationLooking for a reliable ventilation system in your property? Explore our range of products designed to keep your home fresh, dry, and healthy all winter long. Whatever you need, we’ve got you covered.Check out our ‘Residential Ventilation’ page here. To find more about our ventilation products for communal areas, SAP-listed MVHR and MEV options, as well as quiet and energy efficient systems.And if you’re unsure where to start, our expert team can offer all the advice you need. Call 01264 356415 or email enquiries@airventtechnology.co.uk.
Productivity and employee safety both enhanced after strategic machinery investment Posted on 29/10/202429/10/2024 by Ella Walker Air Vent Technology has continued the progression of its ongoing growth plans by investing in a state-of-the-art wrapping machine that has enhanced the company’s safety, productivity, and financial performance.Installation of the new wrapping machine has immediately reduced the labour and material costs associated with wrapping and dispatching pallets.It has also eliminated wrapping inconsistencies, helping to ensure our shipping consignments arrive at their destination in pristine condition, and significantly reduced the average wrapping time from up to five minutes per pallet down to just seconds.Dave Young, Operations and CI Manager at AVT, hailed the impact of the new machine and its strategic importance to the company’s overall ambitions.He said: “We’ve already been able to save significant sums in both stretch wrap, which a machine uses much more efficiently than humans, and in time. As a result, we’ve seen a 20% increase in warehouse productivity on outbound goods and been able to stretch wrap more than double the amount of product than we could by hand.”He added: “We can now move away from the time-consuming and costly process of hand-wrapping pallets and concentrate fully on providing the best possible service to our valued customers and partners across the UK.”Thanks to a pioneering partnership with IBIS Packaging Solutions Ltd, Air Vent Technology has now been able to wrap 860 pallets in just three months.Dave Young added: “While the wrapping machine has offered obvious financial benefits, the most important upside is the increase in employee safety. We will never sacrifice health and safety procedures and we’re delighted to have been able to reinforce those commitments with the purchase of this machine.”The wrapping machine represents the company’s second major equipment investment of 2024. In January, Air Vent Technology secured a new production line and lift arm that drove a 20% productivity increase.Your browser does not support HTML5 video.
Introducing our Special Projects Manager Posted on 28/08/202430/08/2024 by Ella Walker Meet Guy Miller! Guy is our newest team member and is joining us as our Special Projects Manager. We caught up with him to see how the first three months have been: It is a pleasure to have the opportunity to join the AVT team. The first three months have flown by, and I have enjoyed getting to know everyone and understanding the AVT business.I was given a great opportunity to join the AVT team in June 2024 as the Special Projects Manager, and this is my first direct experience in the heating and ventilation industry. I have a wealth of experience in leadership, engineering, process improvement, and managing change through CI and Lean Six Sigma.A bit of background on myself: during my career, I started as a manufacturing engineer in my early days, working my way up to operations leader in multiple different industries. I have had responsibility for many different business areas during my career, predominantly operations, engineering, design, facilities, quality, supply chain, health, and safety. Starting in British Aerospace as an engineer after university, I then moved into Automotive for over 15 years as a senior manager working with customers including Toyota, Ford, BMW, and Audi. I then changed industries again into Medical Devices for a few years. followed by high-volume fixings and connecting devices into a variety of industries, including aerospace, automotive, medical, and marine. Next, I took charge of a site making bespoke high-end furniture, then moved to a company that supplies the NHS with a variety of equipment, including sheet metal and wooden products. Finally, before joining AVT, I managed a company making high-precision air bearings used in the manufacture of silicon wafers for chip manufacture and precision lens manufacture for optical industries.Regarding the processes with which I am familiar, in addition to a variety of assembly processes, I have worked with sheet metal work, precision machining, grinding, chemical machining, metal treatment, powder coating, plastic injection moulding, cold forming, stamping, and electromechanical assembly, amongst other processes.Outside of work, I have two Husky’s that keep me busy and a grown-up family. I enjoy cycling as my main hobby but also enjoy getting together after work socially.I am looking forward to working with everyone at AVT and becoming involved in the great culture that I can see here.
Debunking Ventilation Myths: AVT’s Answers to The Biggest HVAC Falsehoods Posted on 01/08/202401/08/2024 by Ella Walker Ventilation systems are the unsung heroes of modern buildings. Every day, they work to ensure that we breathe clean air and enjoy a comfortable, year-round climate. But despite decades of improving the buildings in which we live and work, they’re still the subject of so many myths and misconceptions.In a typical month, our engineers and in-house experts hear different versions of the same ventilation myths over and over again. But this post gives you the truth about your HVAC system and how to keep it operating at its best.Here are five of the most common myths we hear:1. Internal Ducts Don’t Need Regular ServicingWrong! Over time, dust, debris, and other contaminants can accumulate in ducts, which leads to impeded airflow and reduced system efficiency. Regular servicing ensures your ducts remain clean and your system operates as it should. It also extends your system’s lifespan and improves indoor air quality. The alternative – avoiding regular servicing – risks increased energy consumption and potential health issues from the recirculation of polluted air. Get your next service booked today.2. Ventilation Systems Aren’t Very EffectiveWrong! Modern ventilation systems, like those offered by AVT, are designed to efficiently manage air exchange, remove pollutants, and maintain optimal humidity levels. And they deliver in the real world, not just in lab testing. Heat, humidity, and precipitation will all effect a ventilation system. But we know our systems deliver consistently fresh and healthy indoor environments – wherever they’re installed. Browse our ventilation systems.3. Mould Only Develops in Hot and Humid ClimatesWrong! If you’ve ever been in a poorly ventilated UK property in the depths of winter, you’ll instantly know mould isn’t restricted to warmer locations. All you need is moisture and organic material. From there, mould will run riot in any conditions. Cooking, showering, and even breathing can increase indoor humidity levels. A good ventilation system is the antidote, working to control indoor humidity and therefore prevent mould formation. Browse our extract fans.4. Indoor Air Quality Doesn’t Affect HealthWrong! So many people underestimate the impact of indoor air quality on health. Research from the World Health Organisation shows that more than four million people die early every year due in part to poor indoor air quality. In those environments, respiratory problems, allergies, and even cardiovascular disease become an even greater risk. Good ventilation is key. Browse our air handling units.5. Open Windows = Optimal Indoor Air QualityWrong! Yes, getting some fresh air into the building can sometimes help with ventilation. But it’s definitely not the best way to improve indoor air quality. Outdoor air carries all sorts of nasties, including pollen, dust, and vehicle emissions. If they come into your building unchecked, you might even be making the indoor environment worse. Instead, it’s wise to invest in a HVAC system that filters and conditions the air. Get specialist advice today.Don’t Fall Victim to These Ventilation Myths!Our friendly team of experts is always ready to help you achieve the best possible indoor environment. So, if you’ve got any concerns at all about your ventilation system or indoor air quality, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
