Why Schools Are Investing in Better Classroom Ventilation Posted on 26/05/202626/05/2026 by avt_admin Good classroom ventilation is now a key priority for schools and education providers across the UK. A growing body of research shows a well-ventilated environment leads to improved concentration levels, better health and wellbeing, and reduced energy costs. But it isn’t always simple to achieve. While many school buildings are showing signs of their age, funding pressures continue to be felt across the education sector. The result? Education providers are looking for practical, long-term solutions that improve indoor air quality without disruption or a spike in running costs. Why ventilation matters in classrooms Poor classroom ventilation can lead to a build-up of carbon dioxide (CO₂), stale air, humidity, and airborne pollutants. All of these can affect pupils’ ability to concentrate, stay engaged, and learn. Each day with poor education ventilation is a missed opportunity for youngsters trying to reach their full potential. Research from the University of Leeds has confirmed the benefits of improving classroom air quality, particularly in spaces where windows are not always practical due to weather, security, or external noise concerns. Those benefits are profound. With simple installations of heat recovery units like ClassFlo, they include: Supporting attendance, wellbeing, and concentration. Schools are increasingly aware of the link between indoor air quality and attendance. If pupils feel discomfort, fatigue, or headaches when they’re in class, they become significantly less likely to maintain good attendance levels. Meeting BB101 and BB93 requirements. Ventilation systems in education settings must meet specific performance standards. That’s why our systems meet complete room air change meeting BB101 requirements, with no recirculation of air and effective CO₂ management, as well as BB93 noise requirements that promote effective teaching and learning. Lower bills through effective heat recovery. As energy costs continue to trend upwards, heat recovery ventilation systems are highly valued in education settings. By capturing heat from outgoing air and using it to warm incoming fresh air, they maintain comfortable indoor temperatures without increasing bills. Retrofitting ventilation into older schools Education ventilation isn’t just about the classroom. Communal areas, sports facilities, kitchens, toilets, and shower areas all need fresh airflow supply. Many school buildings, however, were not originally designed to meet modern ventilation expectations. And that can lead to challenges around access and available space when it comes to retrofitting new solutions. Our Site Engineering Services (SES) team supports schools and contractors with installation, refurbishment, and replacement projects across a wide range of education settings. Our flexibility and experience mean we can supply and install ClassFlo systems with minimal disruption, including scheduling your fitting for school holiday periods. Introducing ClassFlo classroom ventilation ClassFlo is Air Vent Technology’s dedicated classroom ventilation solution, designed specifically for education environments. With a double-skinned case construction, the whole unit with its high efficiency counterflow heat exchanger helps to manage classroom CO2 levels while using up to 52% less energy than other alternatives. Its low noise levels and intelligent controls also mean teaching conditions are never disrupted. ClassFlo systems are designed to help schools meet modern ventilation standards while providing a practical solution for both new-build and retrofit projects. Looking to improve your classroom ventilation? If you’re looking to make the kind of investment in your education facilities that promotes wellbeing, concentration, and effective learning, contact our friendly team today. We’ll help you quickly find the right ventilation solution for your school or education facility. Get in touch today to find out how more about how our ClassFlo system can be tailored to your building and ventilation requirements.
5 signs your ventilation systems needs refurbishment or repair Posted on 24/03/202624/03/2026 by Ella Walker Across the UK, rising energy costs rise are putting businesses under even greater financial strain. But it isn’t just global events that are impacting bills. Poorly maintained or inefficient HVAC systems can also lead to wasted cash. Ventilation systems that are working harder, but delivering less, are common in factories, warehouses, and other commercial settings. Unfortunately, HVAC maintenance is often overlooked… until something goes wrong. But by the time a system fails, you’ve usually already been paying the price in higher bills, poor performance, lower air quality, and increased noise. Here are five clear signs your ventilation system may need refurbishment or repair, and why acting early matters more than ever. 1. Rising energy bills If your energy costs are rising faster than your energy unit rates, your ventilation system could be a major contributor. Over time, key components such as fans, motors, and control systems lose efficiency. As performance drops, systems have to work harder to deliver the same level of airflow. That increased workload directly translates into higher energy consumption and, in turn, that means higher operational costs. But a good refurbishment can use upgraded components to restore some of that lost efficiency, helping bring those costs back under control. 2. Increased noise or vibration A well-functioning ventilation system should operate smoothly and relatively quietly. If things are starting to rattle or shake, it’s often a sign that something isn’t right. An experienced refurbishment engineer will take time to check for worn bearings, loose components, ageing fan motors, and imbalanced fans. If any of these faults are left unchecked, they can lead to more serious mechanical failures – and potentially costly downtime. Getting an expert in early can resolve small issues before they become something much more challenging. 3. Poor or inconsistent airflow Inconsistent airflow is one of the most noticeable and disruptive signs of a struggling system. If you’re experiencing hot or cold spots across your facility, areas with poor ventilation, or even just a general decline in indoor air quality, it could be time to get your system checked. A thorough repair or refurbishment can restore balanced airflow and improve overall system performance, without the cost of a full replacement. 4. Frequent breakdowns or rising maintenance costs If your maintenance team is being called out more often, or repair costs are steadily increasing, it’s a clear warning sign that a full refurbishment might be the most cost-effective way forward (sometimes cutting costs by up to 50%). As ventilation systems age, components fail more frequently, repairs become more regular, and maintenance costs begin to stack up. But at a certain point, investing in refurbishment is simply cheaper than continuing to patch up an ageing system. Taking a proactive approach, and making that decision early, can reduce unplanned downtime and bring long-term savings. 5. Your system is 10–15+ years old Many commercial ventilation systems are built to last, but that doesn’t mean they stay efficient forever. Even if the structure of the system is still sound, internal components can become outdated and inefficient. Refurbishment offers a smarter alternative to full replacement, allowing you to upgrade key elements like fans, control systems, and filtration. It also provides an opportunity to install the most energy-efficient components. This approach modernises performance without the cost and disruption of installing a completely new system. The benefits of refurbishment Refurbishing or repairing your ventilation system helps to improve performance in a range of areas. From lower energy consumption and reduced running costs through to improved indoor air quality and extended system lifespans, repairs and refurbishment have been proven to deliver the best balance between cost and performance. They also offer far less disruption than a full HVAC system replacement. The key is to act before problems escalate. Ventilation issues rarely fix themselves, and waiting too long can turn a manageable upgrade into a costly emergency. If you’ve noticed any of these five signs, now is the time to act. Contact our servicing specialists to start future-proofing your system and put your business in the best possible position.
Air Vent Technology: Our 2024 Highlights Posted on 12/12/202404/11/2025 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. Operations Firstly, 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 Spirit Of 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 Team We’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 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. Contact us today to get started. We can’t wait to hear from you!
AVT’s new investments drive 20% productivity increase Posted on 18/01/202419/01/2024 by avt_admin State-of-the-art production line and lift arm now in place at Air Vent Technology HQ. Air Vent Technology is celebrating a 20% increase in productivity and a significant improvement in team morale following the installation of a bespoke new production line and lift arm. The investment was made as part of the company’s overall strategy to support the health and safety of its employees – and the continued growth of the business. Dave Young, Operations & CI Manager at AVT, said: “This new equipment is a major step forward for Air Vent Technology. As the company’s domestic range continues to surge in popularity, it’s so exciting to know we’ll be able to consistently fulfill more orders while enhancing our safety standards. “Every member of the shopfloor staff has been impressed by the design and workings of the new production line and lifting equipment. Our day-to-day operations are now much more comfortable and I’m confident this investment will help us to continue to go from strength to strength in the coming months and years.” After a prolonged period of high demand, Air Vent Technology leaders began discussions with Aluminium Frame and Tooling Solutions and Scaglia Indeva in a bid to find the innovations needed to support a sustained uplift in productivity. A timeline and initial design concepts were agreed early in the process. Weekly meetings with both suppliers, along with regular site visits, maintained that initial momentum. Air Vent Technology’s shopfloor, finance, and R&D teams were also asked for input to ensure all aspects of the project were covered in detail. Dave Young, Operations & CI Manager at AVT, added: “I’m so proud of how all parties maintained excellent communication throughout what was undoubtedly a complex project. The process flowed from start to finish exactly as we’d hoped. I can’t thank our suppliers enough.” As well as delivering increases in productivity, the new production line and lift arm will also enable Air Vent Technology’s domestic production team to continue to work at ISO9001 standards. If you would like to get in touch with a member of the team you can email us enquiries@airventtechnology.co.uk or call us on 01264 356315.
