heat recovery ventilation
mitey beneficial?

Recent research would appear to indicate that the apparent rise in asthma is linked to the changes in the domestic environment.

Major design, construction and regulatory changes have taken place which have increased the retained water vapour and overall house temperature while also reducing the rate of air change. For example:

• Sealed double glazing
• Central heating systems
• Cavity wall insulation and/or vapour barriers
• Insulated roof space
• Fitted carpets

This means that we are living in warmer, damper conditions and current trends suggest that we are spending more and more time indoors.

Dampness has long been associated with respiratory ailments and warm, moist conditions are known to be ideal for the dust mite whose habitat is carpets, soft furnishings and bedding.

not for the faint hearted

Research suggests that over 75% of asthmatics react to the extracts of mite allergens.

Although dust mites are small, (generally 0.1 mm-0.3 mm), the numbers in each colony are such that the faecal pellets may pose health problems. Their main diet is shed human skin, (the average family of four adults will lose in excess of three pounds of skin flakes per year), and approximately 80% of the material seen floating in the air in sunlight is skin particles. The higher the relative humidity the faster and better these particles break down and the mites have a feast.

Below is some information on dust mites:

• Dust mites live for between 2-3 months
• The female can lay up to 300 eggs during her lifetime
• A dust mite can release up to 60 times it's own weight of faecal pellets
• Allergens can remain stable for up to 4 years

The physical design of the dust mite generally allows it to withstand the suction of a vacuum cleaner, and many of the faecal pellets that are removed simply pass through the vacuum cleaner bag propelled by the expelled air back into the atmosphere.

so what can we do?

The Heat Recovery Ventilation system from thermsaver can significantly reduce humidity to levels which reduce dust mite feasibility. This will also help to reduce any airborne pollutants they cause.

RegaVent HRV can continually remove moist, stale air and replace it with fresh pre-heated air. These air changes reduce the material present in the air which is either inhaled or falls onto the carpets and soft furnishings.