Lofty whole home ventilation system - any good?

[kevin_robson]

Still having problems with condensation and have come back to these units as a possible solution. Initially dismissed them as they seemed to be extortionate for what they were, and also didn't know how good they were.

If anyone has used them are they worth the money? Do they do the job? Are there any alternative products? Is there anywhere to buy at under list price, which I believe was about £400 last time I checked? Cant find any kind of review on the web to either recommend or dismiss buying one.

http://www.dryhomecondensation.co.uk/

Thanks in advance

 

[JohnD]

what are the reasons why ventilation you currently use is not able to cope with the moisture you currently create?

 

[memor maplin]

Your loft should have air holes/vents at the soffits. Your cold water tank and pipes should be lagged/insulated.

If they're not you'd be surprised just how much condensation water is generated we are talking lots.

If you've put down loft insulation recently in the joists make sure its not blocking up your soffit vents

 

[foxhole]

Expensive waste of money, correctly addressed ventilation will cure all condensation problems , unless you use the home for drying laundry, in which case you condemn yourself to ill health.

 

[kevin_robson]

Thanks. I have even had a builder out and he checked the roofspace i.e. soffits and it looks OK. No insulation blocking it.

However, cold water pipes and tanks are probably not as lagged as they should be. Not something I've ever thought of - why does this cause problems? I'd be interested in hearing more.

As for laundry, along with 99% of the population we do dry indoors in the winter.

We also have a dehumidifier and bathroom extractor fans. House only has one air brick in the kitchen which I always wondered whether it should have more? All double glazed, and sadly not the type where you can open a vent at the top.

So its not perfect, but then neither are most households these days.

Has anyone actually used the lofty? I did ask a while back and somebody said he'd used a few to good effect.

Any other ideas?

Thanks again

 

[JohnD]

As for laundry, along with 99% of the population we do dry indoors in the winter...

I doubt your estimate of 99%.

However the people who dry their washing indoors are the ones who have excessive dampness and condensation.

If you weigh your washing when wet, and weigh it again when dry, each kg of weight lost is a litre of water released into your house. You might as well take a bucket and throw it over the walls.

However, if you like a wet house, or if you want to spend a lot of money on forced ventilation or dehumidifiers, please continue to hang wet washing inside it.

 

[PaulWin]

Hi Kevin,

Did you go ahead with the Lofty?

This has also been recommended to us as of September 2008, as a solution to a condensation damp problem.

I'd like to hear from anyone who has had one of these units fitted with their advice/feedback. One concern I have is that the Lofty will circulate very cold air in winter and very hot air in summer, as the input is from the loft space.

Regards,

Paul.

 

[^woody^]

The lofty is a "positive pressure fan system" and these systems do work - but only if installed properly and if a proper survey has been done and the system deemed suitable. They are not a miracle cure for all condensation probelms.

There are other manufactures of similar systems.

If does not circulate cold air. If you stood right under the outlet (which is normally at the top of the stairwell) then you will feel a slight breeze, but you will not notice anything anywhere else in the property

 

[PaulWin]

Thanks Woody, appreciate the comments. I agree, a system like Lofty would only be one part of solving the condensation dampness.

I'm very much hoping to hear back from someone with first-hand experience of such a problem before and after installation of a positive pressure fan system, to see how much it contributed to solving the problem.

 

[^woody^]

We have installed many of these units over the years, and they do work. At least two suppliers will guarantee condensation reduction within three months, or will remove the unit and make good FOC

 

[PaulWin]

Thanks Woody. Maybe you need to remain impartial, but is there any particular manufacturer/product which you believe out-performs the others? Or are they all similar performance within the same price bracket (around £400 uninstalled).

 

[^woody^]

They all do similar jobs, and its most likely just down to cost and features.

Two that come to mind are the Drimaster from Nuaire, and Envirovent from Envirovent. There are also ones from Vent-Axia and Greenwood. All have websites via google.

Just remember that if a rep does a survey, then he will be a salesman first and foremost, and the report will be a bit biased. But the key question will be "will your unit solve my probelm?"

 

[PaulWin]

OK Woody, thanks for the feedback.

 

[kevin_robson]

Hi Paulwin,
Sorry to turn this back on you, but did you do anything re this? I didn't, and am still having the same problems!

 

[PaulWin]

Hi Kevin,

In the end I couldn't find anyone with a Lofty system who could give me a personal recommendation. However 3 different agents I spoke with assured me that their customers are very happy with its performance (taken with the usual pinch of salt). Therefore I decided to give it a go and ordered one just 2 days ago. I'm using a local electrician to help me install it, as the supplier provides the unit only without installation. If you like, once it's been installed for a few weeks I'll let you know what our experience is. Our condensation damp problem isn't terrible, but it's bad enough that we wanted to do something to alleviate it. I'm also planning to install trickle vents on our double-glazed windows, as not all of them are installed. Do you have these? Lastly we're adding some heat by way of mini radiators in the coldest part of the house, within the wardrobes in question. Ultimately though it's a question of humidity inside the house, as >70% will result in condensation forming on cold surfaces, and of course warm air can carry a higher moisture content than cold air, so better ventilation is the key.

Cheers,

Paul.