Ella Walker, Author at Air Vent Technology (AVT)

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 Servicing

Wrong! 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 Effective

Wrong! 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 Climates

Wrong! 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 Health

Wrong! 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 Quality

Wrong! 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.

Air Handling Units 101: Everything You Need to Know

Posted on 27/06/202427/06/2024 by Ella Walker

Air handling units (AHUs) play a central role in the overall success of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems installed across the UK. But many people are still unclear about the precise function of air handling units.

In this article, we’ll run through all the essential information you need to know to help you maintain healthy ventilation across your entire indoor environment.

What is an air handling unit?

An AHU is crucial for good ventilation. It normally consists of a blower, heating or cooling elements, filter racks or chambers, sound attenuators, and dampers. Once installed and in operation, each AHU is tasked with one overall function: to regulate and circulate air through the building’s ductwork to create optimal conditions for everyone living or working inside in the building.

The heating or cooling elements found inside a typical AHU are used to heat, cool, humidify or even dehumidify fresh, ambient air from outside. Only when the air is at the building owner’s desired state does it begin its journey through the building’s HVAC system.

Why do I need an air handling unit?

Across both health and comfort, AHUs offer several clear and measurable benefits. They include:

• Humidity control. A good AHU can remove moisture from the air, which in turn can dramatically reduce the amount of condensation in your building. That’s essential because condensation is an often overlooked health risk. It can cause respiratory problems, or even lead to the arrival of mould and rot in your building. And if the external air is too dry, an AHU can also add an appropriate amount of moisture to deliver the ideal humidity rate.

•Temperature regulation. Regardless of the outdoor temperature, a good, well-functioning AHU can deliver and maintain consistent and comfortable indoor environments. In our experience, guaranteed comfort and ventilation in indoor workplaces almost always means happier and more productive staff and guests.

•Cleaner air. Outdoor air can pose two common risks. One the one hand, smog and pollution might make it unpleasant and even unsafe for humans. On the other, people who suffer from allergies often find the dust, pollen, chemicals, smoke, or waste that’s found in non-controlled air can cause serious discomfort. Regardless of whether your indoor environment is used by one person or 100, an AHU will make a noticeable difference to the purity and cleanliness of your indoor air.

Is it time to update my air handling unit?

As your AHU ages, there are several key indicators to watch out for. Any one of them could mean that your AHU needs servicing, repairing, or replacing. In general, you should look for:

•Decreased or inconsistent performance, including rising energy use. If your energy bills suddenly start to show that you’re using more units of energy, your AHU may have stopped working at its optimum efficiency.

•Regular breakdowns or unusual noises. Over time, you should get completely used to the sound of your AHU. If you start noticing unusual noises, it’s likely to be a sign that something is amiss.

•Reduced indoor air quality. Pay attention to the quality of your indoor environment. If you or your colleagues begin to notice a difference in the cleanliness, temperature, or humidity of the air flowing through your HVAC system, it could be time to investigate your AHU.

Ready to update your AHU? Talk to the experts at Air Vent Technology

Our friendly Air Vent Technology team is always on hand to assess your situation, guide you through your options, and help you arrive at the best possible solution for your needs.

How to keep cool this summer with Air Vent Technology

Posted on 22/05/202423/05/2024 by Ella Walker

After a long, cold British winter, spring and summer are finally here! Suddenly, the weather forecast offers some hope, winter clothes have disappeared, and the weekends smell of barbeques. All is good – unless you’re in a poorly ventilated indoor environment.

With temperatures rising, now is the perfect chance to get prepped for summer. Installing suitable air handling units (AHUs) or extract fans helps to create a clean, fresh, comfortable, and healthy working environment for staff and visitors alike.

The benefits of air handling units and extract fans in warm weather

AHUs and extract fans are great investments across a range of settings, including commercial, industrial, residential, healthcare, education, retail, and hospitality environments.

In busy indoor environments – especially those where air can become either stale or humid – an AHU or extract fan can clean the air entering your building, adjust the humidity levels of your indoor space, and keep everyone comfortable by providing cooler, fresher airflow.

A good AHU or extract fan can also:

• Reduce the potential of mould

• Prevent damage to your building

• Minimise or eliminate problems with condensation

• Provide ongoing relief for people with summer allergies

The best air handling units and extract fans for summer

If your priority is to ensure a constant flow of fresh air to avoid humidity, AHUs are likely to be your best investment. Our range includes:

Large air handling units available in 11 standard sizes. Bespoke sizes are also available. With these units you can choose from plantroom or rooftop versions, benefit from flat-pack site assembly, and secure up to 25m3/sec airflow.

Small air handling units that are ErP compliant and come with acoustic lining to reduce noise breakout. Each unit is constructed from galvanised steel and offers EHB and LPHW heating, with EC fans built to suit L2.

Compact AHUs with an LPHW heating coil and EC motor, small AHUs with an EC motor and LPHW heating coil, and compact AHUs with electric heating and an EC motor complete our offering.

However, if your priority is to remove pollen and dust while keeping rooms at a comfortable temperature, extract fans might be more suitable. Our range includes:

Acoustic cabinet twin fans with a removable discharge cowl and fitted comprehensive controls. These are ErP compliant 2009/125/EC, come in 14 different model options, and use low energy EC fans to suit L2.

Acoustic cabinet single fans that are also ErP compliant 2009/125/EC. Again, these incorporate low energy EC fans to suit L2. Choose from 14 different model options, with flexible designs available to suit your application.

Mixed flow fans available in four models. Robust galvanised steel construction and a mixed flow impellor help to ensure high performance. Thermal cut-out protection also comes as standard.

Now is the time to invest in AHUs and extract fans

Don’t wait until it’s too late. The warm weather is coming and our friendly team at Air Vent Technology is ready to help you find the perfect solution for your needs.

How to reduce your energy bills in 2023 with good ventilation

Posted on 03/02/202317/08/2023 by Ella Walker

Could good ventilation be the way to lower your energy bills as the UK’s battles with the cost-of-living crisis?

For many people, ventilation might not seem an obvious starting point when energy prices are sky high. But improving a building’s ventilation can significantly contribute to reducing energy bills.

If you’re a residential developer, homeowner, or commercial building owner, investing in good ventilation could be a strategic and prudent choice as energy costs continue to soar. Here are three of the most effective ways to use ventilation to put more money in your pocket.

Install modern heat recovery units

Investing in a modern heat recovery unit has two main impacts. First, it improves the air quality and thermal comfort inside a property. But it also helps to reduce your overall energy costs, because fitting a system with a heat exchanger can mean up to 85% of your property’s energy is retained.

The heat exchanger acts as a highly efficient way to maintain internal temperatures. As stale air leaves your building, the heat exchanger captures the warmth from that outgoing air. It then transfers that warm energy to the cool air coming into your building from the outside. Heat recovery units can dramatically reduce a building’s reliance on central heating or other high energy options.

Choose heat recovery units with pre-heaters
If the air from the outside is particularly cold, this can place a greater strain on the heat exchanger. But there is an answer. A pre-heater on a heat recovery unit cools the outdoor air before it reaches the heat exchanger, thereby making it easier and quicker to heat it to the required internal temperature.

Use EC motors in your heat recovery unit
While a typical heat recovery unit is very efficient at retaining heat, it still needs energy to power it. Choosing a heat recovery unit fitted with EC motors helps to improve the operational efficiency of the unit because the motors can run at lower temperatures than traditional brush motors. As a result, the overall energy spend for running the heat recovery unit is lower than if you opt for a model without EC motors.

Air Vent Technology’s range of heat recovery units features some of the best and most energy efficient models on the UK market. View the full range today.

Commercial ventilation: why air handling units are the only sensible choice

Posted on 16/01/202317/08/2023 by Ella Walker

When it comes to temperature and humidity control in commercial buildings, air handling units are now widely regarded as the most effective solution for creating a consistently healthy environment. In this article, you’ll learn about the benefits of air handling units, the key considerations for choosing one, and start to understand the different options available on the commercial ventilation market.

The benefits of installing air handling units in commercial settings

Companies who invest in an appropriate air handling unit enjoy two immediate benefits, both of which are critical to short-, medium- and long-term success.

Excellent working environment. Lots of people don’t realise that circulating air can be cleaned by an air handling unit. The humidity of the air can also be adjusted, creating the perfect working atmosphere. Both of those two advantages come on top of the traditional heating or cooling of air, giving you complete control over your indoor environment.
Better health outcomes. With stale air eradicated, problematic developments such as mould and condensation are also significantly reduced or resolved entirely. This prevents both your staff and any visitors from experiencing troublesome allergic reactions and avoids future spends on professional mould removal.

Air handling unit installation: the key considerations

Identifying the best air handling units for your property can seem daunting at first, especially when our full range includes 29 models and the option for fully bespoke designs where necessary. But two simple principles will quickly help to guide you to a sensible choice.

Where will it be installed? Your setting will go a long way to determining the type of air handling unit you need. For example, buying an air handling unit for a large, open manufacturing unit would be very different to buying an air handling unit for a small, enclosed office.
Do you have appropriate installation space? As well as checking the size of your potential installation space, do you also have appropriate access to get the unit in place? With small units, doors and corridors may be large enough for the unit to be delivered already assembled. For larger units, flat-pack installation may be the only suitable option.

How to choose air handling units

Once you’ve got a firm understanding of what you’re looking for, choosing the best air handling unit for your needs is relatively straightforward.

Small air handling units. Choose from four models with an EC motor and electric heating. Internal and external versions are available.
Small air handling units with an LPHW heating coil. Select from four models each fitted with an EC motor. These are also available as internal or external models.
Compact air handling units. Choose from five models with an EC motor and electric heating. Internal and external versions are available.
Compact air handling units with an LPHW heating coil. Select from five models each fitted with an EC motor. These are also available as internal or external models.
Large air handling units. These custom-built units are available in 11 standard sizes. Fully bespoke designs can also be provided.

Get the complete package with Air Vent Technology

Whichever air handling unit you require, our experienced team is ready to provide all the assistance you need.

Our Site Engineering Services (SES) team is trusted across the UK to install and maintain commercial air handling units of all shapes and sizes. Whether it’s refurbishment and repair, ongoing servicing, or flat-pack installation, we’ve got you covered!