Nuaire Go ‘Eco’ With Landmark PIV Development
Over 40 years since the company invented a cure for condensation dampness, ventilation manufacturer Nuaire has unveiled the next generation of its iconic Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) range, taking existing PIV technology a step further.
October 2016
Drimaster-Eco is designed to tackle the problem of condensation dampness whilst offering social housing providers and occupants increased energy and cost savings, as well as enhanced control ability, through a host of clever features. It is estimated that one in five UK households are poorly ventilated, leading to problems with streaming windows, mould growth and poor indoor air quality. Tenant lifestyles, energy-efficiency measures such as wall and loft insulation, and a rise in fuel poverty all contribute to condensation dampness.
Nuaire’s Residential Product Manager, Wendy Thomas explained: “This is a problem on several levels. Condensation causes damage to the building fabric at the ongoing cost of the housing provider. But it also causes health problems, including asthma, which has a very negative effect on the tenant’s health and wellbeing. Poor indoor air quality is never far from the headlines and improving it is the starting point in all of our new product developments. The Drimaster-Eco range solves these problems with minimal energy and cost, and we can foresee its new features, such as the wireless controls and sensors, marking an exciting change of direction for PIV.” Pioneered by Nuaire back in 1972, the PIV strategy has since become a trusted method of ridding properties of condensation and reducing airbourne pollutants and allergens. The new Drimaster-Eco range boasts four models which offer increasing degrees of performance and energy-efficiency to meet the exact needs of the housing provider.
A sleek, circular ceiling diffuser houses the system controls, allowing complete control of the unit from the hallway without having to enter the loft. Commissioning and adjusting the system can now be done by a tenant liaison officer rather than an electrician, which is more cost-effective. Unlike other Positive Input Ventilation systems on the market, the Drimaster-Eco range offers twice as much filter area so the filters are more effective for longer. Small and light, the new unit offers an extended duct length to overcome installation restrictions, and can be hung at the right height to maximise heat gains within the loft space. Installation is quick and simple, and commissioning can be carried out from the hallway via controls in the diffuser. Both the Dri-Eco-Link and Heat models boast the new, enhanced hall-control with innovative remote control and sensor capabilities. A radio frequency receiver pairs the system with a range of optional remote and wired sensors that allow the homeowner to boost fan speed, adjust the unit when more moisture is being produced and receive alerts when CO2 levels rise above a set point. Mrs Thomas explained: “We are hugely excited to be the first PIV manufacturer to offer true demand-control through our sensors and controls. The ability to adjust the fan speed will help occupants save energy when the house is unoccupied.”
The Dri-Eco-Heat features an integral heater which is sited uniquely between the flexible duct and the diffuser. This ‘pioneering design’ uses more of the heat created to temper the air rather than losing 3 to 4 degrees of heat through the duct as per standard PIV designs. Mrs Thomas continued: “The unique position of the heater offers the same performance whilst using up to 20% less energy than the competition. This means lower running and life cycle costs, so both the housing provider and the occupier benefit.” A common issue faced by social housing providers is accessing properties to check that the PIV system is on and that measures put in place to alleviate condensation issues are being followed. Nuaire has designed a Remote Monitoring Device which provides readings from outside the property to determine how long the unit has been running and its filter status. This addresses the problem without having to enter the property, and can help overcome potential legal issues.
