PIV Installation at Penzance Rental Property
The job
A rental property in Penzance suffering from persistent damp and condensation. Granite houses pulling moisture from the ground, combined with construction techniques and materials that predate modern vapour control, are common across South West Cornwall. Damp and condensation is a problem many locals simply adapt their lives around - bleaching walls, keeping windows open, or constantly emptying a dehumidifier. Without very disruptive and costly work to the exterior walls, the options are limited.
What I did
I installed a PIV (Positive Input Ventilation) unit wired from an existing fire alarm circuit, with an additional relay. The unit pulls in fresh air from a ventilated loft, heats it slightly so it does not cool the house, and pushes moisture out - preventing damp air from settling on walls and ceilings. The fire alarm integration was important here. With the relay wired in, the PIV shuts down automatically on alarm activation, so in the event of a fire it is not made worse by oxygen being pumped into the building.
On the day
The existing fire alarm circuit provided a clean and convenient supply point. The relay wiring was the key detail - ensuring the PIV shuts down on alarm activation is a safety requirement, not an optional extra. Wired in and commissioned in half a day.
Prices starting from
From £550