Ventilation & Heating


This guide breaks down the core categories from the menu you've shared—Extraction, Controls, Ducting, and Underfloor Heating—to help you build an efficient, comfortable, and smart home environment.

1. Extraction Fans

The goal here is moisture and odor control. The right fan depends entirely on the room's "zone" and size.

  • Bathroom Fans: Look for IP45-rated fans if installing near a shower (Zone 1). For windowless bathrooms, a Continuous Running Fan is better than an intermittent one to prevent mold.

  • Kitchen Fans: These require a much higher extraction rate (typically 60L/s or more). Ensure it has a grease filter if it’s a cooker hood style.

  • Key Features:

    • Humidity Sensors: Automatically turns on when steam is detected.

    • Run-on Timers: Keeps the fan going for 5–20 minutes after you leave the room.

    • Silent Models: Look for decibel (dB) ratings under 25dB for whisper-quiet operation.

2. Smart & Digital Control

This is the "brain" of your home. Transitioning to smart controls can reduce energy bills by up to 15-20%.

  • Smart Thermostats: (e.g., Nest, Tado, Hive) Allow you to control heat via smartphone. Look for Geofencing, which turns the heat down when you leave the house and up when you’re nearing home.

  • Smart TRVs (Radiator Valves): These allow multi-zone control. You can heat the home office to 21°C while keeping the spare bedroom at 16°C.

  • Compatibility: Ensure the system works with your existing setup (Google Home, Alexa, or Apple HomeKit).

3. Central Heating Controls

For those who prefer reliable, hardwired, or traditional setups.

  • Programmers: Choose a 7-day programmer if your schedule varies (e.g., working from home on Fridays). A 5/2-day works if your routine is strictly Weekday/Weekend.

  • Cylinder Thermostats: Essential if you have a hot water tank; it prevents water from being overheated, saving significant energy.

  • Room Thermostats: Digital versions are much more accurate than old "clicky" dial versions, preventing the "too hot/too cold" cycle.

4. Ducting & Ventilation Accessories

Ducting is often overlooked but is the #1 reason fans underperform.

  • Rigid vs. Flexible: * Rigid PVC: Best for airflow and noise reduction.

    • Flexible: Easier to install but creates "drag"; keep runs as short and straight as possible.

  • Size Matters: Most bathroom fans use 100mm ducting, while powerful kitchen hoods require 125mm or 150mm. Reducing the size of the duct will make the fan louder and less effective.

  • Backdraught Shutters: Essential to stop cold wind from blowing back into your house through the fan when it's off.

5. Floor Heating Systems

  • Electric (Dry): Best for retrofitting or single rooms (bathrooms). It uses thin wire mats that don't raise the floor height significantly.

  • Water (Wet): Best for new builds or large-scale renovations. It's more expensive to install but much cheaper to run long-term as it connects to your boiler or heat pump.

  • Insulation Boards: Never skip these. Without insulation boards under the heating elements, you lose about 50% of the heat into the subfloor.

Quick Buying Checklist

  1. Measure your room volume to ensure the extraction fan or heater is powerful enough.

  2. Check your wiring: Do you have a "Permanent Live" for fans with timers?

  3. Think about "Zones": Do you want to control every room individually (Smart) or the whole house at once (Traditional)?