PIV Units: What Are They and How Do They Work?

Do you need help with condensation, mould, or poor indoor air quality in your home? Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) units could be the solution you’ve been looking for. At Futureglaze, we’re experts in installing these innovative ventilation systems to help create healthier, more comfortable living environments.

We’ve compiled this comprehensive guide to explain PIV units and how they can improve your living conditions.

What is Positive Input Ventilation?

Positive Input Ventilation, or PIV, is a whole house ventilation system designed to combat surface condensation, mould growth, excess moisture and indoor pollutants. It’s an innovative approach to improving air quality that has gained popularity in recent years. PIV systems create a positive pressure environment within your home, effectively pushing out stale, humid air and replacing it with fresh, filtered air.

How PIV Units Work

PIV systems operate through a simple yet effective process:

1. Fresh air intake: The system draws in fresh air from outside, usually through the loft space in houses or an external wall for flats and apartments.
2. Air filtration: As the air enters the unit, it passes through high-quality filters. These filters remove a wide range of indoor air pollutants, including dust, pollen, and even some harmful particles.
3. Air distribution: The clean, filtered air is gently pushed into your home through a central diffuser, typically located in the hallway ceiling.
4. Positive pressure creation: As this fresh air is introduced, it creates a slight positive pressure within your home. This pressure differential is key to the system’s effectiveness.
5. Stale unhealthy air expulsion: The positive pressure forces stale, moist air out of your home through natural ventilation points such as trickle vents or small gaps around windows and doors.

This continuous rate of fresh air circulation helps maintain healthy humidity levels and improve indoor air quality throughout your home. The process is gentle and constant, ensuring a steady clean air supply and whole home ventilation without causing uncomfortable drafts.

Benefits of PIV Systems

Condensation and Mould Reduction

One of the primary benefits of PIV systems is their ability to reduce condensation and mould growth significantly. PIV units lower indoor humidity levels by constantly introducing drier air from outside and circulating it throughout your home. This makes it much harder for condensation to form on surfaces and for mould to grow.

Improved Indoor Air Quality

PIV systems excel at removing a wide range of airborne pollutants from your home. This includes:

1. Dust and allergens
2. Compounds from cleaning products, new furniture, and carpets
3. Cooking odours and smoke
4. Traffic fumes
5. Pet dander

By constantly introducing fresh filtered air, PIV units help dilute and remove these pollutants, creating a fresher, cleaner indoor environment.

Health Benefits

The improvement in air quality may potentially offer health benefits, particularly for individuals with respiratory conditions or allergies:

1. Potential reduction in asthma and allergy symptoms
2. Fewer airborne bacteria and viruses may lead to a reduced likelihood of winter illness
3. A reduction in dust buildup on furniture and electronics
4. A general sense of freshness in the home

Low Maintenance

PIV systems are designed to be low maintenance, requiring only occasional filter changes to keep them running efficiently. This makes them ideal for busy homeowners or landlords looking for a ventilation solution.

Our PIV Solutions: PoziDry Pro and PoziDry Compact Pro

At Futureglaze, we offer two different PIV systems from industry leader Vent-Axia. We have two options to suit different property types:

PoziDry Pro

The PoziDry Pro is our go-to solution for homes with loft spaces. This powerful yet quiet unit offers:

1. Whole house ventilation coverage
2. Smart Sense technology for precise flow of air
3. Ultra-quiet operation to minimise disturbance
4. Energy efficient motor – costs as little as 22p per week to run
5. Easy filter replacement for hassle-free maintenance
6. Optional heater model for added comfort in colder months

The PoziDry Pro’s Smart Sense technology is particularly noteworthy. It allows our installers to fine-tune the airflow to your specific needs, ensuring optimal performance without creating uncomfortable drafts.

PoziDry Compact Pro

For flats, apartments, and homes without lofts, we recommend the PoziDry Compact Pro. This innovative unit offers:

1. Compact design – the smallest PIV unit on the market, perfect for discreet installation
2. Flexible installation options to suit various property layouts
3. Foam construction for ultra-quiet performance
4. Replaceable cartridge system for easy maintenance and reduced waste
5. Built-in adjustable grille to direct airflow where it’s needed most

The PoziDry Compact Pro’s unique design makes it ideal for properties where space is premium. Its small size doesn’t compromise performance, delivering effective whole-home ventilation even in compact living spaces.

Why Choose Futureglaze for Your PIV Installation?

We have over 36 years of experience, and our installers are fully accredited by FENSA, CHAS, and Constructionline, ensuring the highest quality and safety standards. As a family-run business, we take pride in our community, combining local knowledge with high standards.

Take the First Step Towards Healthier Indoor Air

Don’t let poor indoor air quality affect your health and home any longer. With Futureglaze’s expert PIV solutions, you can look forward to:

1. A drier, more comfortable living environment
2. Reduced risk of mould and property damage
3. Improved health for you and your family
4. Peace of mind knowing you’re breathing cleaner air

We’d love to speak to you in person and show you our PIV units, so why not visit our extensive showroom? You can find this at Unit 47 Gelli Industrial Estate, Gelli, Pentre, Rhondda Cynon Taf, CF41 7UW.

You can call us on 01443 423 423, email us at sales@futureglaze.co.uk or use our online contact form.

Our friendly team is ready to guide you through the process and help you find the right solution for healthier, fresher indoor air.