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MARCH 10 - UNIQUE VENTILATION SAVES ENERGY AND LIFETIME COSTS

A new and innovative concept in domestic ventilation developed by Passivent Ltd is promising savings of 55% in electrical energy, 39% in lifetime costs and cuts carbon emissions over alternative, mechanical solutions.

The company’s unique iHybrid system combines the benefits of proven natural ‘intelligent’ passive ventilation with those of heat recovery, to give a ‘mixed mode’ hybrid option.

Passivent iHybrid predominantly uses well-designed natural ‘passive stack’ ventilation, harnessing natural air movement principles to draw fresh air into a home and exhaust the ‘used’ internal air without any electrical consumption, coupled with ‘as and when necessary’ heat recovery. An external thermostat monitors the outside temperature: when above 9°C, the natural ventilation wall vent remains open to provide fresh air into the dwelling, with ceiling mounted extracts drawing the ‘used’ internal air out via convection and the venturi effect (whereby warm air rises, and air moves faster with height, creating suction). When the external temperature falls below 9°C, the system senses the coolness and switches to heat recovery mode, closing the wall vent and switching air transfer to via the heat exchanger, transmitting warmth from the exhaust air to the cooler incoming air to reduce heat loss, and maintain a comfortable internal ambient temperature AND air quality.

As a result, the energy-using heat recovery element operates only when required: research by the Institute of Energy & Sustainable Development at de Montfort University has shown the iHybrid thus produces electrical energy savings of 55% a year, and a 8.5% saving in carbon emissions as a result. Further, as the heat recovery element is used less, and the natural ventilation has no moving parts to need replacing or maintenance, lifetime costs in repair, maintenance and replacement parts are correspondingly cut- by approximately 39% over a 60 years lifespan of a dwelling. To further optimize efficiency, Passivent has devised three different sizes of iHybrid, depending on the size of the dwelling, and included control options to accommodate required ventilation depending on the home’s occupancy and usage levels.

All units in the Passivent iHybrid system are SAP Appendix Q eligible, so can be used within appropriate calculations.

Stephen Smith, Passivent Domestic Product Manager, observed, “Passivent iHybrid is a completely new concept in domestic ventilation, similar to the now proven ‘mixed mode’ strategy in the commercial sector- which we also pioneered. It brings together in one, easy to install package, the benefits of natural ventilation and heat recovery, whilst minimising the weaknesses of each, delivering a ‘best of both worlds’ solution that has advantages for the builder, contractor and occupier.”

Passivent iHybrid is complemented by the company’s established range for domestic buildings including assisted and mechanical ventilation solutions for single person to multi-occupancy properties, plus a range of background window and through-wall ventilation solutions. Passivent is part of the Building Product Design Group which incorporates Glidevale (roofing and ventilation), Z-Led (damp-proofing solutions), and Kingfisher Louvre Systems (ventilation and solar shading louvre systems), all of which aim to bring to market innovative yet practical products in line with changing requirements.

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