Insulation measures like double-glazed windows, loft insulation and cavity wall insulation bring many benefits for homes, including lower energy bills and increased energy efficiency. However, these insulation measures have also reduced the air permeability of many homes, reducing infiltration and air leakage.
Adequate ventilation is important to avoid a range of issues and there have been recent changes to PAS guidance regarding insulation and ventilation requirements. If you’ve been wondering whether your home is adequately ventilated, or if you want to know more about the recent PAS guidance changes, see below for our handy guide.
What is the new PAS guidance?
PAS2035:2019 came into force on the 1st July 2021. The document provides specification and best practice guidance for low energy refurbishment projects and it sets a standard for which all publicly funded retrofits/refurbishments must be carried out, including Energy Company Obligation (ECO3) work.
The main focus of the guidance is the relationship between insulation and ventilation, including a PAS 2035 ventilation assessment. This means that if ventilation is found to be inadequate, it will have to be upgraded in order to install new insulation measures.
Why is ventilation so important?
If a building does not have adequate ventilation, the installation of any additional insulation reduces the in and out air flow rate and increases the risk of high relative humidity. This can lead to a range of issues, including increased condensation, damp, mould growth and high concentrations of pollutants like carbon dioxide.
All the above can then cause serious health issues for inhabitants, especially if they suffer from a condition like asthma. You might be thinking, why not just open a window? However, this is counterproductive to insulation measures as it creates draughts and a sharp drop in temperature.
What happens if I don’t have adequate ventilation?
If you are eligible for free funding for insulation work but don’t have adequate ventilation, don’t worry. Under the new PAS guidance, if the existing ventilation arrangement is deemed inadequate, additional ventilation solutions will be fitted in your property in addition to the insulation work.
​Do you have concerns about the insulation or ventilation in your home? Get in touch with the team at UK Energy Management (NE) Ltd to find out whether you’re eligible for funding. We can secure funding from local energy companies to provide insulation and ventilation installations for low income or vulnerable households. If your existing ventilation arrangement is deemed inadequate, we’ll install additional solutions in your property, and it won’t cost you a penny. To find out more about our services or to see if you qualify for funding, give us a call today or contact us online.
