A fan is just a fan, right?

Wrong.

And we’re offended you would even think that!!

It doesn’t matter if you’re replacing an existing unit or installing ventilation in a brand-new property, choosing the right ventilation solution is more important than most people realise. Ventilation is not (and never has been!) a one size fits all kind of process… And selecting the wrong fan can lead to unwanted noise, poor performance, damp and mould issues, or systems that don’t comply with building regs.

The reality is that every building – even every room – behaves differently and therefore requires different solutions. The type of building (Residential or Commercial), the size of the space, the level of insulation, the number of occupants, the duct layout, and even how the property is used all play a role in determining what type of ventilation is suitable.

Replacement

“It needed replacing so I just bought the same one again”

^ Our worst nightmare…

If you’re replacing an existing fan, it can be tempting to swap like-for-like. But it’s always worth asking why the original is being replaced. What room is it serving? Was it noisy? Underperforming? Poorly installed? Sometimes choosing a different option can make a huge difference, and even more so in homes where damp or mould was the issue.

For new builds and big renovation projects, it’s even more important to start thinking about the full ventilation strategy. What worked 20 years ago for a property may not be the most effective option today.

Extract rate is not all you need to think about

A huge misconception when choosing your ventilation strategy is that extraction is the only thing you really need to think about.

Well, it’s not.

As well as looking at extract airflow, there are several other factors to consider such as:

• Supply/make up air flow
• Room usage
• Size of Room/Building
• Location of the fan
• Installation feasibility
• Noise levels
• Energy consumption
• Length of duct rooms and ducting resistance
• Control options
• Accessibility (for the purpose of maintenance)
• Compliance with building regs

Choosing the right fan means balancing all of these considerations.

We said that we would make it easy for you to get an accurate answer on which ventilation you should think about for your home.

Because as much as it would be nice to provide you with a ‘one size fits all solution, it simply does not exist (although it would make our jobs easier!)

However, what we can do is give you a solid starting point at what to look at, so we’ve pulled together a simple comparison chart to help point you in the right direction.

Here’s a little key:

1 tick: applies

2 ticks: strong benefit

3 ticks: best-in-class

Cross: not suitable

Now… There are still important things to remember when using the chart above. Although it has been carefully thought out and beautifully designed (thanks to our talented graphic designer😉), we do still have some disclaimers:

• Use as a guide only.
• There is no “best” fan. Only the best for your particular application.
• Natural ventilation is still pretty important for most of the above solutions to work properly.

Some quick takeaways if charts aren’t your thing…

Intermittent fans – Easy to fit, cheap and simple to replace, but don’t usually solve long-term issues.

dMEV – A great upgrade from an intermittent. Won’t break the bank, but much more effective for condensation.

MEV – Whole-house extraction solution, energy efficient, and will significantly help with condensation.

PIV – Great for tackling condensation in existing homes, but also relies on natural ventilation.

Single Room HR – An ideal retrofit when MVHR isn’t possible.

MVHR – The gold standard for airtight homes, and the most energy efficient solution.

Still not sure?

That’s what we’re here for!

If you’re stuck between options, unsure what will work best for your property, or just want a second option, our team is here to help.

Because we are very passionate about fans and ensuring that you have the best ventilation possible.