Condensation vs Nuaire Drimaster

[shady lee]

moustachebandit said:

Looking to install a PIV in the next few weeks due to consistent issues with condensation which have got really bad this year.

Can anyone advise whether the models that feature hall controls are worth the added investment? Are the units normally set and forget or are there occasions you might want to ramp up the air flow /

Equally does the heated version make much difference to the incoming air to justify the additional purchase price & running costs?

Regards

You want the "link" model to incorporate the sensor/switches

I think the HC model means "hall control" meaning you have to use the unit buttons on the ceiling.

Check first though.

The humidity monitor is not really needed for the cost, but adding a boost switch (2 way for non heat model) is a nice option. These can be had for about £20 on eBay, they put the unit into max speed "purge" mode (P displays on unit led).

Can be handy for getting rid of smells, drying out mopped floors, wet carpets or just giving the house a good air after a party or something.

Personally the heat models don't seem to be worth the outlay, they only raise temps by a few degrees and cost alot more than a non heat through the year.

If cold air bothers you that much just fit a WiFi plug and set a schedule around times when you may feel the chill most.

Just don't tell nuaire, as it voids the warranty.

[kryten22uk]

Lots of experience with the loft version, but anyone comment on the Flatmaster?

I've got a timber garden room that my daughter is currently living in. It is fully insulated, but with no ventilation, it does get condensation now that she is living in it 24/7 from breathing out moisture. It occurs around the bottom edges of the walls (and particularly if she dumps bean bags etc blocking air flow).

I know it might seem overkill, but would a flatmaster be workable in a single-room 'shed'? Issues i was thinking was that it is sited on the wall in the shed, so any noise levels is right there, rather than being muffled by it being sited in a loft, and also whether the unheated version blowing into a single room would be a bit like running an AC on cold all the time, or whether the air would be warmed quickly be the room radiator.

One thing I couldnt work out was when it says it is supplying filtered air, does the filter act as a dehumidifier, and hence I need to empty a water collection? Or is it just supplying air from outside at whatever humidity that is?

I'm happy with the cost, but I guess if anyone had a more sensible/suitable option for a single-room shed, then great to hear it.

[Diplomatico]

I’m sure the heat version was only like £100 more. That’s the one I went for. Was freezing on the landing which led me to believe the heater was broken. Checked the settings and it was only half way. Cranked it to max and it’s definitely taken the chill off when it’s 1-2 degrees outside.

We do however still get condensation on windows in rooms where people are sleeping.

We have plantation shutters - may this be causing it? The air can’t blow through?

Also what are people doing with windows/trickle vents? Open or closed?

[remedy]

Keep windows and or trickle vents open so the house air can get out. That's the point of the system; it positively pressurises the house to force air to circulate. The fresh air it supplies will push the moisture-laden air out.

[Matt_E_Mulsion]

This thread has come along at quite an appropriate time for me as my house is suffering from damp/condensation mostly in the downstairs bedroom, we only moved in this year so it's all a learning curve.

It's a 1940 solid stone construction bungalow with a dormer conversion of two small bedrooms upstairs. I'm having to mop up the condensation on the bedroom and living room window sills each morning. It doesn't seem to make much difference if the windows are cracked open or not overnight.

Any advice? Should I get a humidity monitor first to see what is going on or go straight for something such as the Nuaire Drymaster?

[shady lee]

Don't think you need a humidity meter to tell you anything if you're mopping water up in the morning.

Must be a RH of at least 80% upwards.

It's the room heated at all?

[Matt_E_Mulsion]

shady lee said:

Don't think you need a humidity meter to tell you anything if you're mopping water up in the morning.

Must be a RH of at least 80% upwards.

It's the room heated at all?

Yes, every room is heated but it is an old and cold property.

[xyz123]

rfsteel said:

I fitted the Vent Axia equivalent last week to my 3 bed bungalow, rather impressed with the results, RH 69-56% in the kitchen, and from 59-44% in my study.

I also run a DB8L dehumidifier in the bathroom, and used to run for half a day after showering, this no runs for about a hour now that the PIV unit has been installed.





Kitchen - before install


Kitchen - week after install


Study - before install


Study - week after install

Any chance of an update? We need one and I was keen on Nuaire but nearly £500 for a heated version is really stretching my budget

[Escort3500]

We’ve just ordered the Drimaster Eco Link HC and a 2S Eco 2- way boost switch (£418 in total). Can’t really see the point in the extra for the heated version, which doesn’t really emit that much heat it seems.

[rfsteel]

xyz123 said:

Any chance of an update? We need one and I was keen on Nuaire but nearly £500 for a heated version is really stretching my budget

2 months after installation and my windows are still condensation free.

Only downside I can report, is that when wet outside, you occasionally get the faint whiff of musty loft every now and then,

[remedy]

Same great performance here, too.
50% average humidity now and I love the subtle moving air around my face in bed. It's comforting to know the air is always fresh.

I've not had any smell issues and my roof is nearly 90 years old. That may mean you've got a leak as something is getting damp.

[shady lee]

Quite a good video explaining alot of damp/condensation issues from a nuaire installer/damp guy.

Some interesting points are made about people and their "lifestyle" creating most problems.

https://youtu.be/Ai3q355TCJU

[Tommy1000]

Has anyone installed a PIV system into a downstairs hallway? We’re interested in getting one but our loft is fully converted so there’s nowhere up there to put one. Our internal garage is adjacent to our hallway so was wondering about installing one in there (albeit pulling in air from outside, rather than the garage itself) and then the filtered air coming into the downstairs hallway either at a high wall level or ceiling.
I think the principle is the same as the model Nuaire make for flats, albeit I’m not sure that model has enough throughout for a detached house.

Edited by Tommy1000 on Saturday 13th March 23:17

[Tlandcruiser]

The loft smell will eventually clear up. I have an open top fish tank I my study that sometimes saw the humidity hit around 80% in that room, now it averages around 50 and on a wet day, hits 59.

I have a 2 bedroom bungalow set at speed 1

[Tommy1000]

Tommy1000 said:

Has anyone installed a PIV system into a downstairs hallway? We’re interested in getting one but our loft is fully converted so there’s nowhere up there to put one. Our internal garage is adjacent to our hallway so was wondering about installing one in there (albeit pulling in air from outside, rather than the garage itself) and then the filtered air coming into the downstairs hallway either at a high wall level or ceiling.
I think the principle is the same as the model Nuaire make for flats, albeit I’m not sure that model has enough throughout for a detached house.

Edited by Tommy1000 on Saturday 13th March 23:17

Bump, anyone?
Thanks

[Escort3500]

Tommy1000 said:

Tommy1000 said:

Has anyone installed a PIV system into a downstairs hallway? We’re interested in getting one but our loft is fully converted so there’s nowhere up there to put one. Our internal garage is adjacent to our hallway so was wondering about installing one in there (albeit pulling in air from outside, rather than the garage itself) and then the filtered air coming into the downstairs hallway either at a high wall level or ceiling.
I think the principle is the same as the model Nuaire make for flats, albeit I’m not sure that model has enough throughout for a detached house.

Edited by Tommy1000 on Saturday 13th March 23:17

Bump, anyone?
Thanks

Can’t help you I’m afraid, sorry. However, I rang their helpline with some queries before I bought ours and the guy I spoke to was really helpful.

[shady lee]

Seconded for the nuaire tech line, very helpful and knowledgeable on their gear.

[robemcdonald]

Escort3500 said:

Tommy1000 said:

Tommy1000 said:

Has anyone installed a PIV system into a downstairs hallway? We’re interested in getting one but our loft is fully converted so there’s nowhere up there to put one. Our internal garage is adjacent to our hallway so was wondering about installing one in there (albeit pulling in air from outside, rather than the garage itself) and then the filtered air coming into the downstairs hallway either at a high wall level or ceiling.
I think the principle is the same as the model Nuaire make for flats, albeit I’m not sure that model has enough throughout for a detached house.

Edited by Tommy1000 on Saturday 13th March 23:17

Bump, anyone?
Thanks

Can’t help you I’m afraid, sorry. However, I rang their helpline with some queries before I bought ours and the guy I spoke to was really helpful.

Take a look at this

https://www.nuaire.co.uk/product-list-page/dri-365

It might do the trick.


Have you got a plan of the house?

[Tommy1000]

Thanks all. Here is the plan (hopefully) attached. Now that I look at the plan again I wonder if one of the loft ones could be squeezed in what’s left of the unconverted loft, perhaps in the void which shows in the plan just below the loft WC (looks like that might sit over the first floor landing just about). Not sure how much space these things need really!

[robemcdonald]

Tommy1000 said:

Thanks all. Here is the plan (hopefully) attached. Now that I look at the plan again I wonder if one of the loft ones could be squeezed in what’s left of the unconverted loft, perhaps in the void which shows in the plan just below the loft WC (looks like that might sit over the first floor landing just about). Not sure how much space these things need really!

I think you’re going to struggle with that layout to be honest.

The facts that the accommodation is over three levels and you have lots of rooms off of rooms are against you.

Potentially you could look at each floor as a separate entity and have a flat master on each level, that would probably work quite nicely, but It’s worth double checking with the office though.