Condensation vs Nuaire Drimaster

[B'stard Child]

B'stard Child said:

OK Program 1 meant the unit wasn't running for most of the day due to loft temps over 22 deg C

So I tried Program 2

Option	Temp Operating Mode
1	Below 19 "Normal Operation Mode", 18 - 24 "Intelligent Heat Recovery Mode", Above 23 "Standby Mode"
2	Below 19 "Normal Operation Mode", 18 - 31 "Intelligent Heat Recovery Mode", Above 30 "Standby Mode"
3	No Temp Sensing - Constant Normal Operation Mode
4	Below 16 "Normal Operation Mode", 15 - 28 "Heat Recovery Mode", Above 27 "Standby Mode"
5	Not Applicable for Heat Model

This meant de-powering the unit and going through the whole install/Set up procedure (40-50 seconds is a long time to hold buttons for so not totally keen on doing this repeatedly)

The result was same as Program 1 - Unit was off for most of the day and restarted when temps dropped below 22

I wonder if it's the "intelligent" aspect of the heat recovery mode so I'm going to try Program 4 as it doesn't have the "intelligent" aspect according to the destruction manual

Update

Had to wait a few days for a warmer day/afternoon

Program 4 also turns unit off when loft temps are above 23 deg

It's now on program 3 which takes the sensor out of the equation and we shall see later today if it's shut down gone into standby by mode

[robemcdonald]

New prices. Please use these moving forwards.

[ADogg]

A quick question - how long is the ducting for the outlet vent? I’m trying to figure out the best way to install one of these before pulling the trigger!

Thanks

[B'stard Child]

ADogg said:

A quick question - how long is the ducting for the outlet vent? I’m trying to figure out the best way to install one of these before pulling the trigger!

Thanks

Mine is chest height in the loft and still has room to go higher

[NickXX]

What temperature is everyone setting their heater to? I have one of the new 3 storey Vent-Axia units which doesn't let you unplug the heater unit. If I set it to 5c (lowest setting you can select), is it likely to come on much over winter?

[NickXX]

All fitted, but the loft temp is above the upper threshold to operate! Will report back when it gets a bit cooler.

The thing that put me off installing it for years was making a mess of the ceiling. Was dead easy in the end going through the plasterboard with a jigsaw. Just a shame that there is a joist in the wrong place which meant that I couldn’t fit it centrally.

[B'stard Child]

NickXX said:

All fitted, but the loft temp is above the upper threshold to operate! Will report back when it gets a bit cooler.

My advice for what it's worth is set it up on program 3 (no temp shut off) to get a feel for what airflow speed you need - OK it'll be warmer air but you probably won't notice the impact of the hotter air

It took me a while to get a speed I was happy with with the unit shutting down due to temps in the loft and then coming on a night and waking up Mrs BC

Now I have it on the right speed so it doesn't wake anyone when it starts

NickXX said:

The thing that put me off installing it for years was making a mess of the ceiling. Was dead easy in the end going through the plasterboard with a jigsaw. Just a shame that there is a joist in the wrong place which meant that I couldn’t fit it centrally.

Joists are a pain along with loft hatches and smoke detectors - I also realised I needed to put it where I could reach it without needing a ladder!!!!

[NickXX]

Thanks- will give that a go. It’s been running overnight and still going now. Completely silent from the bedrooms (is hung from a joist), and a very slight breeze if you stand directly below it.

[ADogg]

A heads up if you’re looking for a Drimaster - I-sells have the drimaster link for £240 delivered. It’s the non heated one but seems a great price!

[NickXX]

What sort of humidity readings are people getting at the moment? I know that these threads tend to perk up more in the winter but I installed mine a week ago.

Currently getting mid 60s (22c) in the kid’s room which is right next to the outlet. Seems high still (I used to get similar in the winter with no PIV).

[Gazzab]

I get 65 downstairs albeit some building work needs completing to resolve ingress. A dehumidifier is running constantly in a basement to help. Upstairs it’s around 50. Same in the loft room.

[NickXX]

Thanks, I’m at 57% on the ground floor currently. I only seem to get higher humidity on the top floor (3 storey house) which is the problem in the winter which will be the big test.

The air in the house definitely feels a lot fresher and the towels in the bathroom seem to dry very quickly.

[B'stard Child]

Average High 50's %RH ground floor

Avg Low 60's %RH first floor sometimes gets below 60

I monitoring the loft as well as that's the air source and I've been getting some huge swings during day and night - up as high as 80 and down as low as 40 %RH but it's been pretty wet outside for the last two weeks

Yesterday temp in the loft reached a peak of 26 deg C and at that time it was 40 %RH (Unit was off due to temp)
During the night the temp dropped to 14 deg C and it was 70 %RH

[NickXX]

That's very helpful, thank you - mine are very similar. Will probably be a few months yet before I can see if it's solved my problem (mould spots on ceiling corners of top floor bedrooms), but looking good so far.

ETA: I know that Nuaire is the preferred supplier of this thread (and I now feel very guilty having not gone for one now that I've read the thread from start to finish), I'm happy with my 3 storey Vent-Axia model. I also found out last week that the current Vent-Axia range is wireless controller ready - although the controllers haven't yet been developed.

Edited by NickXX on Tuesday 8th August 08:59

[Gazzab]

I think the winter numbers are much more important. Cold spots and condensation are a bigger issue in winter in my experience.
My main living room has a 15 foot domed ceiling. The previous owners of the house had to paint it prior to advertising the house because it was totally black with mould. We moved in 15 months ago. I fitted the drimaster within a couple of weeks. Had no mould issues. I have also been sorting bathroom extractors, sorting ingress etc.

[B'stard Child]

Gazzab said:

I think the winter numbers are much more important. Cold spots and condensation are a bigger issue in winter in my experience.

Agreed whilst I was surprised at 80% RH in a loft I wasn't concerned by it - I'd be concerned if it was at that level in the winter

Gazzab said:

I have also been sorting bathroom extractors, sorting ingress etc.

I've finally wired up the extractor in the en-suite - it's a light duty one with a 2 to 30 min run on already made a difference to the mirror staying clear during and after a shower

[moustachebandit]

My elderly neighbours have been struggling with condensation issues.

I suggested that they consider a PIV as it cured the issues in my home.

Its 1920/1930 house and the roof has been decked with sarking boards. Checking out their loft space I cant see any external ventilation, also couldn't feel any breeze moving through the loft. Its a very dry space.

Would the PIV still work without cross ventilation in the roof space?

[theaxe]

It would need some way to bring fresh air into the loft otherwise there's a danger that the 'vacuum' would bring moist air from the house up through light fittings or other gaps into the loft. Some soffit vents should do the job.

[robemcdonald]

moustachebandit said:

My elderly neighbours have been struggling with condensation issues.

I suggested that they consider a PIV as it cured the issues in my home.

Its 1920/1930 house and the roof has been decked with sarking boards. Checking out their loft space I cant see any external ventilation, also couldn't feel any breeze moving through the loft. Its a very dry space.

Would the PIV still work without cross ventilation in the roof space?

Most lofts have soffit vents.

Its unlikley that the loft wouldn't have these.

[Gazzab]

robemcdonald said:

Most lofts have soffit vents.

Its unlikley that the loft wouldn't have these.

I’ve owned some 8 houses and have never had soffit vents - but I’ve never owned anything as modern as 1920s