Ventilation guidance for social landlords

Passivent explains the importance of life long ventilation and the recommendations of document PP3/99: 'Embodied Energy in Residential Property Development:A Guide for Registered Social Landlords'.

Despite its now dominant role in determining the design of domestic dwellings, the diverse implications of the Code for Sustainable Homes are still to be fully understood by both developers and their clients; while social housing has been compelled to take the lead in its implementation.

The Code level achieved is heavily influenced by the energy section, which is determined by the SAP calculation, and thereby only considers operational energy consumed.

There is regrettably no consideration for embodied energy and this could potentially promote solutions which are less environmentally friendly.

Reflecting this fact, a document entitled 'Embodied Energy in Residential Property Development:A Guide for Registered Social Landlords', which includes good practice guidance and energy saving policy for social landlords, has been published in conjunction with a leading housing association, the Housing Corporation and the BRE.

The document and research outline the importance of designing for long life, and using solutions which do not require frequent replacement.

Specific guidance within the good practice recommendations includes the following:.

* Design for long life (at least 60 years and preferably more).

* Do not install ultra-high-tech equipment that offers only marginal energy savings in use.

* Avoid systems with high maintenance requirements or which need frequent replacement.

* Avoid systems which rely heavily on user regulation to achieve energy savings (e.g use intelligent, self regulating passive stack ventilation rather than user-controlled systems).

One example of this guidance being put into practice is through Passivent's promotion of the company's natural iPSV (intelligent Passive Stack Ventilation) ventilation solution.

iPSV will last the life of the dwelling in contrast to electrically based ventilation solutions such as intermittent extract fans or mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, which have finite motor lives and are likely to require repeated replacement during the life of a dwelling.

Operational energy usage of the various ventilation solutions can be seen to be very similar dependent upon type and occupancy.

However, when embodied energy is included into the equation, a different outcome can be seen.

During the life of a dwelling, electrical solutions such as intermittent fans and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery will require several replacements when motors expire.

The energy used to dispose of the expired products, collect materials, manufacture, warehousing and transport the replacements, needs to be included into the equation to give a true energy cost.

When all this is done it is clear to see why the best solution is one which lasts the life of a dwelling if we are really trying to save the environment.

In addition, the guidance suggests that in order to maximise energy savings, solutions should be automatic where possible, recommending for example, intelligent Passive Stack Ventilation.

Accordingly Passivent iPSV operates using humidity controlled extract grilles and air inlets, ensuring that the indoor air is intelligently monitored and adjusted as required to give a good indoor air quality to occupants.

Passivent is offering free seminars on these issues and can deliver a free CPD seminar entitled 'Ventilation of Domestic Buildings' which includes the importance of embodied energy to make a real impact upon saving the environment.

Passivent will be exhibiting at the Chartered Institute of Housing Exhibition (CIOH), Harrogate International Centre on the 16th, 17th and 18th June (HALL M; STAND 271), and will be discussing the guidance for registered social landlords, along with the many benefits of intelligent Passive Stack Ventilation (iPSVTM).

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