What Is a PIV Unit? Positive Input Ventilation

Ventilation is a key principle that should be applied in every kind of dwelling, ventilation is crucial for us all, as we need oxygen to survive. And logically, the cleaner air you have, the better.

Ventilation also helps to eradicate smells in a space, as well as humidity and condensation. Though arguably the main purpose of ventilation is to prevent the development of mould within the dwelling.

Ventilation and mould

Mould, otherwise known as damp, is a fungus that grows on wet surfaces. Mould comes in a variety of colours: Black, Green, Brown, Grey and White. It can be difficult to identify mould by colour as it can occur in many shades. Some of the most common mould strains in the home are:

• Black Mould – Also called Stachybotrys chartarum, Black mould is commonly found in bathrooms and wet rooms but can also occur on cold exterior walls in habitable rooms such as the bedroom or living room.
• Cladosporium – Commonly found in bathrooms, under sinks, and around faucets but it can grow on surfaces like carpets, furniture, walls, and floors.

Mould reproduces from tiny spores. The spores float through the air and deposit on the surfaces. Under adequate temperature, moisture, and nutrient conditions, the spores can form new mould colonies.

Mould can severely affect your immune and respiratory system, as the spores are easily breathable and not obvious to see through the human eye.

If you have found mould in your home, you need to assess if this is your landlord’s responsibility (for example it could be from a leaking roof that needs repairing). Or if the damp is caused by improper ventilation. To assess your options, click here.

What is a PIV Unit? Positive Input Ventilation

A PIV unit is a ventilation system that optomises airflow by extracting stale, humid air, and replaces it with air that it has extracted from outside. This outside air is passed through a filter to ensure there are no pollutants entering your home.

Furthermore, PIV units also have temperature settings which ensures that the fresh air entering the home isn’t going to make it colder than it should be.

Here are some benefits of PIV units.

• Cures condensation dampness – PIV reduces the humidity in the air, curing condensation dampness preventing mould growth
• Improved indoor air quality and healthy living environment- Indoor pollutants from cooking and cleaning, as well as outdoor pollutants including pollen and Radon gas, are eradicated from the home
• A Unique cost-effective solution
• Meets Regulations – Meets Part F & L of Building Regulations as a low-energy ventilation strategy
• Easy & simple installation – Typically installed in under one hour
• System controls located in the ceiling diffuser for easy commission and access for maintenance checks
• Low maintenance – Filter clean or replacement every five years
• Energy efficient – System goes into standby during warmer months when there is no evidence of condensation
• Clinically proven to help allergy and asthma sufferers

Are PIV units necessary?

PIV units are a welcome addition to any home that understands the value of having clean and fresh air in the home. Although there are methods you can use to gain similar results, PIV units are the best method to get those results by far.

What happens if I don’t have a PIV unit?

Not having a PIV unit is not the end of the world, as long as you have extractor fans in the relevant areas of your home, and regularly open your windows, you will for the most part get the same effect as a PIV system.

Though it must be said, the filter of a PIV system, as well as the heating systems guarantees fresh air for your home, whereas only opening a window and allowing unfiltered air in could be harmful to those with allergies. Of course, we don’t want to open windows at all when the weather is bad, wheras the PIV units don’t have to worry about at all.

Can I install a PIV unit myself?