Condensation vs Nuaire Drimaster
Discussion
Gazzab said:
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 1920sIts unlikley that the loft wouldn't have these.
Both the 1980's houses didn't have them, the 1990 house did
The current house has them now as when I replaced all the soffits I got vents fitted because the loft suffered from condensation in the winter - mainly due to the lack of insulation up there.
robemcdonald said:
Gazzab said:
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 1920sIts unlikley that the loft wouldn't have these.
Thanks for the comments - sadly there are no soffit vents, or active ventilation. However I doubt it is completely air tight though, so suspect on a windy day there would be some air moving through? I cant see it being a completely sealed space. Going to install it for my neighbours as they are pretty set on it and see how it performs and maybe install a few soffit vents to help with additional cross flow.
moustachebandit said:
Thanks for the comments - sadly there are no soffit vents, or active ventilation. However I doubt it is completely air tight though, so suspect on a windy day there would be some air moving through? I cant see it being a completely sealed space. Going to install it for my neighbours as they are pretty set on it and see how it performs and maybe install a few soffit vents to help with additional cross flow.
I was going to add that it is probably leaky AF and doesn’t need a trickle vent, but someone will probably add they live in a Victorian passivhaus, Ordered the HC unit and IR controller a couple of weeks ago. Great service from Nuaire and next day delivery. Had it fitted today and after the initial start up where it goes into Option 1 as default, it’s now in standby due to it being hotter than the sun in the loft. My only question is, on option 1, it says it goes into Intelligent Heat Recovery mode which is a state above 18 degrees but less than 24 degrees? What is Intelligent Heat Recovery mode? I’ve googled and cant find the description?
P40L VX said:
Ordered the HC unit and IR controller a couple of weeks ago. Great service from Nuaire and next day delivery. Had it fitted today and after the initial start up where it goes into Option 1 as default, it’s now in standby due to it being hotter than the sun in the loft. My only question is, on option 1, it says it goes into Intelligent Heat Recovery mode which is a state above 18 degrees but less than 24 degrees? What is Intelligent Heat Recovery mode? I’ve googled and cant find the description?
As far as I understand it - when the loft temps are in the range of 18 - 23 the unit is effectively pulling warmer air from the loft into the house - I plan on using mine on one of the higher settings (18 - 30) for autumn and spring as even in autumn my loft gains a lot of heat having a lot of south facing roofIt won’t contribute much in the grand scheme of things but the heat is there anyway so might as well take advantage of it.
B'stard Child said:
As far as I understand it - when the loft temps are in the range of 18 - 23 the unit is effectively pulling warmer air from the loft into the house - I plan on using mine on one of the higher settings (18 - 30) for autumn and spring as even in autumn my loft gains a lot of heat having a lot of south facing roof
It won’t contribute much in the grand scheme of things but the heat is there anyway so might as well take advantage of it.
Got it, get it, good. Thanks for that!It won’t contribute much in the grand scheme of things but the heat is there anyway so might as well take advantage of it.
Just to add that for anyone worried about noise/vibrations from the unit in the loft, I hung mine from the rafters using some lengths of chain (so no chance of it ever breaking). I then slightly shortened the chain by using some mountain bike innertubes to support the unit, effectively putting an elastic link/vibration damping in the chain. If the innertubes were ever to decay/break, it would drop down a centimetre or so and still be supported by the chain.
It has now been running like this for over 7 years, since April 2016 and the innertubes are still absolutely fine. The only noise I can hear directly below the unit on the landing is the slight noise of moving air from the ceiling vent - no vibration noise at all.
All condensation issues on windows, and throughout the house disappeared shortly after installing it and I've had absolutely no problems since.
If/when I move house in the future, if there are any condensation/mould issues in the new place, the first thing I'll do is fit a Nuaire unit, and it'll be the simpler one without a heating element.
The unit I have currently fitted is one with the heating element, but I've never used the heating part, as even in winter, although the landing is a little colder, it doesn't make any appreciable difference to the rest of the house, so I don't see the need to waste electricity heating the air with the unit.
It has now been running like this for over 7 years, since April 2016 and the innertubes are still absolutely fine. The only noise I can hear directly below the unit on the landing is the slight noise of moving air from the ceiling vent - no vibration noise at all.
All condensation issues on windows, and throughout the house disappeared shortly after installing it and I've had absolutely no problems since.
If/when I move house in the future, if there are any condensation/mould issues in the new place, the first thing I'll do is fit a Nuaire unit, and it'll be the simpler one without a heating element.
The unit I have currently fitted is one with the heating element, but I've never used the heating part, as even in winter, although the landing is a little colder, it doesn't make any appreciable difference to the rest of the house, so I don't see the need to waste electricity heating the air with the unit.
robemcdonald said:
I wouldn’t bother turning it on in the summer to be honest.
I wasn’t going to run it in the summer but when the loft cools down at night it comes on and helps to cool the first floor of the house nicely I haven’t noticed an increase in electricity usage either but I’m only running it on speed 2
Speed 2 is supplying enough airflow for a complete change of air in the house every 4 hrs (theoretically of course real world is different I think)
B'stard Child said:
robemcdonald said:
I wouldn’t bother turning it on in the summer to be honest.
I wasn’t going to run it in the summer but when the loft cools down at night it comes on and helps to cool the first floor of the house nicely I haven’t noticed an increase in electricity usage either but I’m only running it on speed 2
Speed 2 is supplying enough airflow for a complete change of air in the house every 4 hrs (theoretically of course real world is different I think)
I just leave it on permanently and it shuts down when the loft temp is high in summer, but then comes on again when the loft cools, which helps to cool the upstairs.
It really is one of the few things that just works, and is basically a fit and forget piece of kit, the only maintenance or interaction I ever have with it is once every few years taking off the filters and giving them a good clean with a vacuum cleaner or replacing them.
Smooth Smith said:
robemcdonald said:
HiI have been looking at PIV units and want to order a Drimaster Eco HC. Is the discounted price still available and is there currently a lead time for delivery?
TIA
Smooth Smith said:
hamish88 said:
I ordered on wed and it was delivered the next day. Great service by the call handlers. I also ordered the eco HC model and it came to £270 quid.
OK, thanks for the confirmation. Going to place an order now. Big saving compared to what they are available for online.Prices valid for the foreseeable future.
I’ll let everyone know if changes..
I would say if you want one get an order in. We are about to go into condensation season and local councils and housing associations are going to start ordering them by the truckload.
C n C said:
B'stard Child said:
robemcdonald said:
I wouldn’t bother turning it on in the summer to be honest.
I wasn’t going to run it in the summer but when the loft cools down at night it comes on and helps to cool the first floor of the house nicely I haven’t noticed an increase in electricity usage either but I’m only running it on speed 2
Speed 2 is supplying enough airflow for a complete change of air in the house every 4 hrs (theoretically of course real world is different I think)
I just leave it on permanently and it shuts down when the loft temp is high in summer, but then comes on again when the loft cools, which helps to cool the upstairs.
C n C said:
It really is one of the few things that just works, and is basically a fit and forget piece of kit, the only maintenance or interaction I ever have with it is once every few years taking off the filters and giving them a good clean with a vacuum cleaner or replacing them.
This winter will be the acid test for Mrs BC - she doesn't like condensation on the windows in the mornings (she says it reminds her of school buses 
)I'm hoping that it provides a solution and also to condensation on locks on the two french doors which is what I always notice in the winter
I’ve been using Bluetooth Hygrometers for the last few weeks which I recommend if you want to keep an eye on readings easily. I went for Bluetooth ThermoPro TP357 units which are £8.50 on Amazon. They have very good range through the house (so it’s ok to have one up in the loft) and a basic app.
hamish88 said:
Smooth Smith said:
I ordered on wed and it was delivered the next day. Great service by the call handlers. I also ordered the eco HC model and it came to £270 quid.Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff