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| How SolarVenti Improves Air Quality |
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Now I understand all about the dangers of moulds and mildews, house dust mites, VOCs and poor ventilation, how can SolarVenti help?
All of the available evidence suggests that reducing humidity levels, providing warmth and increasing ventilation are beneficial to human health in terms of reducing indoor pollution and minimising moulds and house dust mite populations. SolarVenti units are designed to perform three functions at zero running cost:-
1. Produce additional fresh air ventilation.
2. Provide a significant dehumidifying effect.
3. Provide supplementary warmth.
Rather than extolling the virtues of SolarVenti ourselves, here is a translation of an independent article taken from a German magazine. The author makes a very clear link between moulds and human health, and a clear recommendation that SolarVenti units actually do just what is required.
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Translation from an original German publication.
Author: Dr Maike Claussen, Department Head of Microbiology
Mould fungi characteristics and musty smells in infrequently occupied rooms; risks, causes and prevention
Mould fungi can cause allergic reactions in human beings, which, depending on the constitution of the affected person, may occur immediately or after several exposures. Those affected develop various symptoms with differing characteristics (reddening of the skin, sniffles, cough, and shortness of breath).
Mould infestation of a room can clearly be seen by looking for mould stains or the presence of moulds on walls and furniture. A hidden case of mould infestation can be detected through measurement of spore load suspended in the air. In part, an infestation can be detected just by the musty smell that is noticed as one enters a room. This smell is generally caused by the formation of microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOC) by bacteria or moulds. MVOC is a metabolite that bacteria or moulds disseminate into the surrounding air.
Dampness (of air or materials) is crucial for the growth of moulds. Problems of dampness in inner rooms originate from building deficiencies (defective insulation, etc.) and insufficient ventilation.
Regular air flow together with heat serves to get rid of damp and deprives moulds of important nutrients. In infrequently used rooms this is difficult to set up.
Devices that aerate and warm inner rooms can be used to prevent the establishment of moulds even in infrequently used rooms. A device such as SolarVenti, that simultaneously delivers and warms outside air into living space provides such a solution.
Environmental solutions
Moulds: a solar processor provides the solution
Every summerhouse or weekend house owner is confronted with the problem that in his/her absence, and especially in winter, unpleasant damp mildew can appear and sometimes smell musty.
25 years ago, I gave high school seminars on renewable energy sources and environmental topics and was interested in solar devices. However, until recently I had no inkling that I could and even must equip my summerhouse with a solar device to avoid health problems.
Fungi: a serious danger to health
Did you know that moulds and bacteria in poorly ventilated rooms present a serious risk to health? And, indeed, not just living fungi and bacteria, but also dead micro-organisms? And that it is not enough just to dispose of visible moulds on surfaces and leave to dry? Naturally no fungicides can be used as these present dangers to human and animal health, just vinegar and water or a vinegar-based cleaner! And anyway, this is not prevention but treatment of symptoms.
The health consequences of mould exposure in the community is increasing, according to the insurance companies of Schleswig-Holstein and the Institute for Experimental Toxicology. They include chronic respiratory illnesses, such as allergic asthma, and of the neck, nose, ear tract, which lead to inflammation of nasal membranes, headaches and even chronic exhaustion. Also MVOCs are produced by hidden moulds or bacteria.
Triggers for allergies and other illnesses
Fungal spores and germs in the air can trigger mycosa (fungal illnesses). Mycose due to moulds were, until recently, only reported by those with weak immune systems or the elderly. Specific proteins can cause allergic reactions such as rhinitis (runny nose), asthma (bronchiole or alveoli) (diseases of the lung). Mycotoxins, such as aflatoxin and anthraxtrachinone are suspected of causing health problems, such as head and limb aches, inflammation of the mucosa and increased susceptibility to infection. MVOCs are the causes of the mould smells and poor room climate.
Frequent ventilation is an obligation
Moulds are the cause of musty smells. Their spores and metabolites fly through the air as a fine dust. Spore numbers are constantly increasing. The environmental lab in Hamburg recommends frequent ventilation and damp-free conditions as therapy. In the short-term aeration can be used to remove spores from the air, but in the long-term dry, fresh air and warmth are the solution.
Air water content should not go above 60%. What is feasible in lived-in accommodation is impracticable in weekend houses or summerhouses. One notices this in the spring when one is greeted by a musty smell on entering the summerhouse or weekend house. This smell is always a sign of fungal contamination and when we smell it we have already inhaled the molecules! The mould-out-patients department has, under the leadership of Peter Boge and together with specialist doctors, determined that moulds hidden in the floorboards, walls and ceilings create the greatest risk of environmental ill-health. Pollutants from old worn-out lino or PVC get into the air even when they are covered with carpets.
Problem recognized: what's the solution?
I have discussed the problem of summerhouse moulds with several owners and their awareness of the problem was exactly nil! Electrical heating throughout the building during the winter would be horrendously expensive. Heat from wood is often forbidden because of the risk of fire. Many told me that, after the winter, they find moulds on sofa covers or on the walls.
Solar devices provide the remedy
There are firms that have spent years thinking about this problem and they have developed solar devices that are easy to install even with unpractised hands. The solar devices consist of an air collector, a solar module, and a ventilator. The air collector should be mounted on the roof or an outer wall. As soon as the sun shines, the solar module gets into action and fresh air is sucked into the air collector. This is pre-warmed and blown into the room through an impellor; stale, damp air is pushed outside through leaks in the house. With adjustable inflow ventilation the needs are met. Once installed, the solar device is robust and as soon as the sun shines even slightly has a ventilation effect that is very affordable. The device comes in different sizes for property footprints of 25-140 square metres.
Other advantages
A solar device is effective and cost-effective: The solar cell gets the warm-air collector running and at the same time generates a little electricity, even when the sky is slightly overcast or in winter. When the sun shines the system works at full blast. The summerhouse/weekend house will be permanently ventilated. Even at outside temperatures of -15 degrees C, that occurred last year in south Germany, there is a convincing drying effect because the dry air can take out the damp air excellently.
A huge advantage of the solar device in a summerhouse/gardenhouse: one can now over-winter various plants (geraniums, dahlias, etc.). These plants survive -5 degrees C but not lower. With a solar device the inside temperature seldom goes below freezing and the air stays dry.
Once you have invested in the solar device there are no follow-up costs. You can even save money with this system: into the bargain a battery charger could theoretically be charged with the electricity and use to power12-volt apparatuses e.g. radio, mobile phone, etc. There are also 12-volt lamps that can be operated in this way. With sufficient sunlight, devices can be operated for more than 1 hour. That is an additional aspect for a gardener who wants to save electricity or who has no electrical sockets in the summerhouse.
Farmers, caravaners, firms and boat owners can also benefit from this solar system.
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| Contact us |
Telephone:
01782 791572 or on
08458 736359 (Local rate from anywhere within the UK)
Fax:
Please call and request number
eMail:
info@solarventi.co.uk
Our new address is:
Unit 14A
Moorfields Industrial Estate
Cotes Heath
Stafford
ST21 6QY |
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| Products
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There are six products in the SolarVenti range. Under ideal sunny conditions the smallest unit, the SV2 has a minimum airflow of 20m³/Hour whilst the largest, the SV30 unit has a minimum airflow of 120m³/Hour.
The newest product, the SV30H Plus, is a hybrid version of the SV30 which additionally provides Solar Water Heating. |
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