How Portsmouth City Council Are Using Airex To Make Local Homes Warmer And Greener
Interested in exploring new ways to improve the energy efficiency of their housing stock, Portsmouth City Council (PCC) partnered with Airex to install the Floorvent system in 51 of their homes in early 2020. During this initial rollout, Airex supported PCC with identifying suitable properties, engaging with residents, coordinating installations, and measuring the impact.
Solution & Implementation: The Floorvent System
As part of the initial rollout, Airex worked closely with PCC to select suitable properties for the project. This involved evaluating various housing units to determine the most effective candidates for the installation of the Floorvent system, Airex’s sub-floor technology that improves the energy efficiency of the home through the use of in-built sensors and algorithms that adjust airflow to improve thermal comfort and prevent humidity, mold, and dampness.
The collaboration also involved engaging with residents, coordinating the installations, and closely monitoring the outcomes.
Resident Feedback
Throughout the implementation, the project team at Airex and PCC maintained a strong focus on resident satisfaction. Their efforts ensured that the installation process was smooth and unobtrusive, minimising disruption to residents' routines.
Project Evaluation
Data Collection and Monitoring
Over 5 months during the winter, the project team collected extensive data to assess the impact of the Airex solution. This included monitoring energy consumption, temperature, humidity, air tightness, and u-value measurements before and after installation. This rigorous data collection process aimed to comprehensively understand the solution's effects on housing performance.
“Airex proved to be a cost-effective solution that can be installed with next to no disruption to residents, and we were incredibly pleased about the trial results.”
Key Findings
The results were impressive: installing the Airex Floorvent system led to a remarkable 12% reduction in heating demand. This substantial decrease in energy consumption contributed to significant cost savings for residents and aligned with PCC's sustainability goals. Importantly, these findings were independently validated by Ofgem, the energy market regulator, further substantiating the solution's effectiveness.
Project Expansion
Encouraged by the positive outcomes of the initial project, Portsmouth City Council decided to extend its collaboration with Airex. In the winter of 2021/22, the partnership expanded to include the rollout of the Roomvent system in over 100 additional homes.
Resident Benefits
The success of the Floorvent system has already demonstrated significant benefits for residents. The Roomvent system further improved energy efficiency and comfort, continuing to impact residents' energy bills and overall living conditions positively.
Conclusion
“It was amazing to see the difference the Floorvent system made both to residents’ energy bills and their comfort levels.”
The partnership between Portsmouth City Council and Airex highlights a successful collaboration in the pursuit of energy efficiency and resident comfort. The initial project's results, which included a 12% reduction in heating demand validated by BRE and Ofgem, show the transformative potential of innovative ventilation solutions in enhancing the sustainability of housing stock while improving residents' quality of life. With continued expansion and further adoption of such solutions, PCC and Airex are set to make a lasting positive impact on the community and the environment.