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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number InnUK/700558/01
Title Integrated Air Quality Sensors (IAQS)
Status Completed
Energy Categories Energy Efficiency(Residential and commercial) 50%;
Other Cross-Cutting Technologies or Research(Environmental, social and economic impacts) 50%;
Research Types Applied Research and Development 100%
Science and Technology Fields ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Architecture and the Built Environment) 100%
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation Not Cross-cutting 60%;
Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Environmental dimensions) 10%;
Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Technology acceptance) 10%;
Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Other sociological economical and environmental impact of energy) 20%;
Principal Investigator Project Contact
No email address given
Ventive Ltd
Award Type Smart - Proof of Market
Funding Source Innovate-UK
Start Date 01 June 2015
End Date 30 November 2015
Duration 6 months
Total Grant Value £24,000
Industrial Sectors
Region London
Programme Competition Call: 1501_SmartRd6_ POM - Smart Round 6 Proof of Market. Activity Proof of Market Rnd 6
 
Investigators Principal Investigator Project Contact , Ventive Ltd (100.000%)
Web Site
Objectives
Abstract Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is a significant and growing problem, especially in light of recent retrofitting activity. A growing body of research suggests that there is a distinct negative impact of energy efficiency upgrades of homes on the air quality and the health of the occupants. A study conducted by Dr Nick Osborne and Richard Sharpe investigating the role of increased energy efficiency, the extent of damp problems and risks to health, using data from 4,000 homes in Cornwall. The main findings were as follows: A unit increase in SAP was associated with a 3% increase in adult asthma; Adults living in homes with SAP =71 had a two-fold increased risk of asthma; Another study of retrofitted properties was conducted by Affinity Sutton, when a total of 150 homes were retrofitted as part of their Future Fit programme. The report states that all Future Fit works properties had air tightness measures carried out. These were paired with appropriate ventilation systems, an approach that will not necessarily be taken under the costsled Green Deal. It makes the following observation: Despite this, there were still issues with damp, mould and condensation in certain properties. For one particular household, this led to all the works being removed, despite several weeks of engagement around their lifestyle. Of the 78 issues reported at 55 properties, 27% were issues related to ventilation systems with another 17% directly related to damp, mould or condensation. Passive Ventilation with Heat Recovery (PVHR) developed by Ventive can achieve better Indoor Air Quality but without comprehensive monitoring it is impossible to ascertain the ventilation rate and the impact on Indoor Air Quality. Currently the data logger, airflow, temperature, humidity and CO2 sensors cost in excess of 2000 per system, limiting wider application. As part of this proposal we intend to ascertain the market for and the added value of Air Quality Sensors integrated into our ventilation.
Publications (none)
Final Report (none)
Added to Database 02/10/15