Well what choices do we have?:

• Spiral metal ducting with trunk and branch.
• Plastic ducting in the form of 125 diameter and 150 diameter or flat equivalent.
• Semi rigid ducting in a radial system.

So what did I use in my house?

Well -- None of the above, probably because I ran out of time researching and trying to get into our house with a young family. 

I used a form of insulated flexible ductwork on a trunk and branch system. 

It worked but, I would not recommend it and does not meet any of our new regulations. It is very susceptible to crushing. Now we would only use this for very short connections in ventilation install.

As a building contractor, building homes and extension for clients I would always recommend installing a ventilation system. In which case we would install a Genvex machine with metal spiral ducting to each room. Slow to install and costly. We did it for years.

We then used plastic ducting, It was cost effective and relatively fast to install, but it was difficult to seal properly.  It is not tested for use in a ventilation system.

Then a new type of ducting emerged, Semi rigid ducting in either 75mm or 90mm diameter.  It was certified and tested to be equal or better that spiral metal ducting. It was fast to install, solid and relatively easy fittings to use.

Now we are onto something! A air duct that is strong durable easily used and fitted into the building structure, not requiring specialist tools. And a protected smooth inner layer with anti fungal properties.

This is what we have being using going forward. 

So this is what we used moving forward.

We used various suppliers for our different construction projects, they were just ok. The product itself was ok but it could be designed better.

So I set about designing fitting and a complete system that clicks together and is easy to set up with the correct air flow to each room. 

Some of the problems solved.

 Adjusting the correct airflow to each room is critical when balancing the system. Suppliers were using a couple of systems namely adjusting the ceiling vent cover. This creates a problem in that the pressure in the duct is high and by restricting the flow at the ceiling valve can cause noise.

Another method is pop out rings to allow certain amount of air to move through the duct, but this cannot be adjusted.

So I designed a method of adjusting the flow at the manifold with a simple thumb turn valve.

This was developed in conjunction with the distribution manifold.  This was designed in different formats, 6 port, 8port, 10 port but they all have the same thing in common. They all use the manifold connector for connection to the ductwork. They have a 45% reduction in acoustic transmission with the inclusion of sound dampening material so they act as silencers in the system.

We then developed other fittings to complete our full ducting system.

The ceiling plenum was next for our design.

Designed by us using our experiences as installers, it incorporates may fixing points. The flange for the 125 ceiling cover can fit directly over the plasterboard or can be extended up to 600mm with 125mm diameter ducting as in the picture below. the unit also incorporates air straightening vanes to allow minimum disruption to air flow, but will still allow cleaning in the future.

The S90 Bend is a simple fitting to allow for direction change of the semi rigid ducting. Although the ducting is very flexible sometimes we need to do a 90degree bend without stain. 

This fitting allows very small pressure loss due again to flow straightening vanes within the fitting. This is something that other manufactures cannot achieved do to our manufacturing processes.

This stage of testing was important, The certification body is the British Research Establishment BRE. 

The test involves the testing of all ventilation equipment and Ducting for use in ventilation installations. The standard used is one of comparison to Spiral metal ducting. A successful result will allow the product to be included on the PCDB which is a data base of all tested products. This in turn allows a listing on SAP appendix Q data base which means that the product can be identified for BER listing. 

Plumbavent S90 listing

The result obtained was categorised as being equal and equal to spiral metal ducting.

Well how does it work?

As an Installer?

Perfect, easy to install and it works. Simple to balance and commission, quiet in operation.

Well what else would I say??  One of the benefits of being the designer and manufacturer is that if it needs to be changed or adapted we do it. So it has been refined to a point now where it is in our option and  other installers a great Ventilation ducting system.

As a self builder?

As one person said it is " Like Lego" just clicks together and "It Works"

We supply all the part needed for a full system either in kit form in various sizes or a fully specified supply, if you send us your drawings in PDF.

As a Consumer of clean warm fresh air?

Happy, we think so. Its not until you live in a house with our system do you understand the difference in air quality. Yes, its feels fresh and all the nice things.  Its only when you go into your friends house or visit someones house you realise they have  bad air it feels unhealthy. Difficult to put your finger on it, but this is your body telling you its not good. 

Having good air quality in your own home is taken for granted as it has always been this way in your home. 

Have a look at some of our reviews.

Last Thoughts 

If you are building or renovating your home, keep this in mind.

Spend as much time and money on Insulation and airtightness.

Then --

Ventilation 

Then --

Heating.

In that order.

This is how you build for a modern, efficient, clean air house. The air your family breath is important for their health and wellbeing. 

Dont take my word for it, this is what Harvard magazine said about it.

Ref - 3  

Links

Ref 1 https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/household-air-pollution-and-health

Ref 2 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7411428/

Ref 3

https://www.harvardmagazine.com/2009/05/clean-air-longer-life#:~:text=When%20it%20comes%20to%20personal,the%20longer%20you%20will%20live.