Titon has highlighted the importance of improving air quality and ventilation in homes using mechanical ventilation with heat recovery systems.

This follows a report from the Ventilation & Air Quality (VIAQ) Task Group which demonstrated a link between poor indoor air quality and health issues, specifically related to design and installation standards for MVHR. Poor air quality is connected with a range of ailments, including allergies and asthma symptoms.


Titon’s sales and marketing director Tyson Anderson said: “As a manufacturer of MVHR systems, we strongly support the findings of the VIAQ Task Group’s report, and give our full backing to government-led action to ensure better air quality and ventilation in people’s homes.


“From our perspective, it is a major concern that the benefits of MVHR are being wasted due to inept installations. There needs to be a protocol in place that monitors and improves both the design and installation standards of MVHR systems.”


Task Group members also called on the Department for Communities & Local Government (DCLG) to consider mandatory competency requirements for MVHR installations so that standards can be driven up.


Anderson continued: “We have already called for a Competent Persons Scheme (CPS) in domestic ventilation to be put into place, which provides a viable method of policing installations. Such a scheme will enable ventilation projects to be monitored and regulated thoroughly, putting the sector on par with other areas of the building services industry. Plus, it would eliminate poor quality workmanship and actually make those at fault accountable for their actions.


“If the ventilation sector is to provide effective systems to the end user, then ensuring installer competency is vital. While we already run the BPEC course, this pales when compared to other CPS-supported sectors.


“The concept of ventilation may not be as high-profile as gas or electricity, but is no less important. Once an MVHR system has been fitted, consumers don’t have a specific, government-endorsed organisation they can turn to in the event of a problem, or if they need some informed advice. Our industry needs to continue to push for additional support to enable the benefits of ventilation systems to be more widely recognised.”