The Ugly Truth About Airtight Buildings

Sdílet
Vložit
  • čas přidán 14. 09. 2021
  • Roger points out the problems with building airtightness (also called envelope airtightness) in his latest rant.
    Further reading.
    ▶ Building airtightness:
    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buildin...
    ▶ What is Airtight Construction?:
    elrondburrell.com/blog/passiv...
    ==========================================
    #Airtightness #Ventillation #AirtightConstruction
    🌲 Skill Builder Link Tree: linktr.ee/skillbuilder
    👍 Tell us what you like: skill-builder.uk/vote
    📪 Ask Skill Builder: skill-builder.uk/send
    📣 Facebook: / skillbuilderchannel
    📷 Instagram: / skill_builder
    🛒 As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases
    🎬 All videos: czcams.com/users/skillbuilderc...
    💧 We Support Charity Water: www.charitywater.org
    ◾ Out of respect to our channel sponsors and the wide variety of people who watch our videos, we'll remove comments that do not follow common standards of politeness and decency.

Komentáře • 905

  • @richardlyon67
    @richardlyon67 Před 2 lety +48

    I have an airtight ("PassiveHouse" standard) house. I have a forced air ventilation system. The house has no heating system. It never falls below 18 degrees (I live in Scotland). Humidity is around 30%. CO2 is around 600ppm with two occupants. My energy bill is around 15% of a house built to current building standards. I built it because, as an oil and gas professional, I know where energy prices (and availability) are heading.

    • @frenchfryfarmer436
      @frenchfryfarmer436 Před 2 lety +2

      Yup ...UP (if even available)

    • @MRSketch09
      @MRSketch09 Před 2 lety +3

      I've got a question... how'd you handle humidity in the bathroom? & kitchen? Just curious.

    • @kerrynofford4727
      @kerrynofford4727 Před rokem +11

      @@MRSketch09 It is dealt with by the mechanical ventilation system. Suck it up, spit it outside while heat is recovered from the moist air to help heat incoming "dry" air.

    • @dimitritzer5028
      @dimitritzer5028 Před rokem +1

      @@kerrynofford4727 Very interesting! I have been looking into this tech for quite a while but couldn't actually find a product/provider for it... is there any you would reccommend?

    • @kerrynofford4727
      @kerrynofford4727 Před rokem

      @@dimitritzer5028 I am only going by what I have read. From a quick search on passivehaus kitchen ventilation..
      www.passivebuildings.ca/post/what-s-cooking-in-passive-house-kitchens
      passiv.de/downloads/05_extractor_hoods_guideline.pdf

  • @edmundhodgson2572
    @edmundhodgson2572 Před rokem +15

    I do maintenance on student houses and see it all the time. They're all solid walls, small rooms and loads of laundry drying. The landlords seem to think there are leaks, but when I explain this to them they just look at me like I'm stupid. I've sent them all links to this, Thanks Roger

    • @SkillBuilder
      @SkillBuilder  Před rokem +9

      It is hard to make people see that moisture has to go somewhere. I don't know why it is so complicated for them

  • @daimonmt
    @daimonmt Před 2 lety +132

    I don't mind Roger's rants as they're a Breath of fresh air.😄

  • @worldadventureman
    @worldadventureman Před 2 lety +122

    The problem is a lot of these regulations are written either entirely or with the help from companies that have a vested interest in selling some new fangled product. These days we have huge corporations that have very diverse businesses but the backing of huge in house legal departments and lobbyists that have a focus to increase profits.

    • @Onkarr
      @Onkarr Před 2 lety

      🏅

    • @johnnorris1983
      @johnnorris1983 Před 2 lety +4

      No . The regulation comes from small minded short gain people (politicians) good doo wellers who only see half the problem. The When it’s not broke fix it guys. The lets base lives on assumptions. And the “All jobs take only 5 minutes “ accountability from the not getting the hands dirty brigade.

    • @johnnorris1983
      @johnnorris1983 Před 2 lety +2

      Raise the voting age to above stupid.

    • @worldadventureman
      @worldadventureman Před 2 lety +6

      @@johnnorris1983 No those politicians don't come up with anything. They are told what to do by private interest groups and lobbyists. And those people and groups have an ulterior motive and it's usually based around profits for someone.

    • @Nbomber
      @Nbomber Před 2 lety +3

      @@johnnorris1983 you underestimate how many people in the population arent too bright. There is no age limit on stupidity.

  • @peterreime3146
    @peterreime3146 Před 2 lety +38

    The problem with airtightness is only really applicable to retrofitting and working with the often abysmal existing housing stock. On new builds it should be mandatory to use whole-house ventilation with heat recovery. This, combined with high levels of insulation new required, would virtually eliminate heating costs for all but the coldest of days, siginificantly improve indoor air quality, better than any trickle vent or other natural ventilation system and even help keep homes cooler in summer whilst makining a significant saving on electricity and heating bills. We should lso be looking at better use of materials on interior finishes. Clay and lime plasters and paints on the interior help balance moisture levels indoors and absorb the harmful VOCs for example. In particularly draughty old houses, switching from space to radiant heating so that you focus on heating the surfaces aand inhabitants through radiant heat (think sunlight) rather than the surrounding air which is being quickly lost.

    • @knekker1
      @knekker1 Před 2 lety +3

      Not sure why no one (including you and the guy in the video) aren't mentioning it, but I think the ventilation solution to the problems mentioned, is called a HVAC system.

    • @miniman7361
      @miniman7361 Před rokem +1

      I instal mvhr systems (mechanical ventilation heat return) in new builds. Filtered air coming in and wet air taken out of kitchens bathrooms etc and clean filtered air into living spaces. Heat returned to living spaces. Works okay if maintained on a 6 monthly basis.

    • @philipoakley5498
      @philipoakley5498 Před 4 měsíci

      @@knekker1 I think they did mention HVAC but by another name (MVHR), but also the need for a complementary Insulation and draught reduction regime.

    • @philipoakley5498
      @philipoakley5498 Před 4 měsíci

      Yes. Just moved to an older property in highland Perthshire and the sub-floor rot has been developing for many years, just in time for me to put a foot through. Ensuring the 'condensation' (both natural moisture and human living moisture) are each managed, and preferably eliminated, is key @@gregd018

  • @peterfishenden5248
    @peterfishenden5248 Před 2 lety +46

    Mechanical Heat Recovery with Ventilation would not live in a house without it. Set up correctly no condensation whatever the weather filtered fresh air saves on heating bills . The UK as usual is miles behind

    • @paulruffy8389
      @paulruffy8389 Před 2 lety +8

      Indeed - and no thanks to channels like this putting people off of progress

    • @paulruffy8389
      @paulruffy8389 Před 2 lety

      Incidentally - how do you dry clothes?

    • @peterfishenden5248
      @peterfishenden5248 Před 2 lety +3

      @@paulruffy8389 Hi Paul we dry our clothes indoors on airer's NOT on the radiators Proair Ireland supply the MHRV small company but excellent service, we fit these in all the new properties we build

    • @paulruffy8389
      @paulruffy8389 Před 2 lety

      @@peterfishenden5248 great to hear thanks

    • @ecoworrier
      @ecoworrier Před 2 lety +7

      I'm with you. 8 years now living in a passive house with the ventilation running at a low level constantly. Paired with a 45m earth tube buried in the ground I get cooled air in summer and warmed air in winter. For older UK housing stock a wall or window mounted room unit might work better than a central system with all the ducting needed. Time for the UK to catch up and legislate for MVHR in all new homes.

  • @Jablicek
    @Jablicek Před 2 lety +89

    I think people have forgotten what my mother used to tell us when we were younger and complained of being cold in the winter. "Put a jumper on." Walking around the house in a t-shirt when it's 5 degrees outside? You've got a problem. Open a window occasionally and put a jumper on.
    Kids these days, they don't even know they're born.

    • @Ghengiskhansmum
      @Ghengiskhansmum Před 2 lety +1

      No kids today, they're projects.

    • @deathcabforcutie3889
      @deathcabforcutie3889 Před 2 lety

      And if your feet are cold? What do you do then?

    • @suspicionofdeceit
      @suspicionofdeceit Před 2 lety +2

      Death Cab for Cutie Out on some socks bloke.

    • @blahdelablah
      @blahdelablah Před 2 lety +2

      "Kids these days, they don't even know they're born." Oh, this old chestnut again. Do you know any kids that live in conditions where their parents/guardians haven't got a lot of money and wouldn't give them the same advice?

    • @michaelbalfour3170
      @michaelbalfour3170 Před 2 lety +3

      Where I understand what you are saying, as its sensible to dress to conditions, why throw out a load of warm air, that is wasteful, there are other solutions.

  • @robertevans2253
    @robertevans2253 Před 2 lety +37

    I’m a surveyor, spot on vid as usual, like the one on heat pumps. Governments don’t tackle the issues properly in the regs and detailing is everything. It needs a big rethink, contrast how much effort and tech goes into a new car v how we build/ refurb. MVHR is the way to go, but it all costs and those in crappy housing already will struggle. Head scratcher for sure….

  • @malcolmfunnell4501
    @malcolmfunnell4501 Před 2 lety +183

    Bring back ice on the inside of single glazed sash windows , hot water bottles, outside toilets , and time served tradesmen

    • @gavinwtroy
      @gavinwtroy Před 2 lety +30

      That was my childhood,never did me any harm.

    • @Jules_Pew
      @Jules_Pew Před 2 lety +18

      Bring clothes under the bed covers to get dressed. No thanks.

    • @grotekleum
      @grotekleum Před 2 lety +14

      @@Jules_Pew Just don't take them off in the first place.

    • @sacundai5371
      @sacundai5371 Před 2 lety +11

      Electric blankets..! :-p

    • @SkillBuilder
      @SkillBuilder  Před 2 lety +16

      Jules
      I remember doing that

  • @loadzofhobbies4219
    @loadzofhobbies4219 Před 2 lety +42

    As a builder, I see all the floors in modern building techniques and echo everything you said in this video. That's why I bought a house that was built in 1855! Its very original, breath's beautifully and when it's cold I tell the misses and kids to sit under a blanket 😂

    • @grotekleum
      @grotekleum Před 2 lety +10

      Ha ha, love it, my building is 1862, large open fire - no draught even in a gale. We need air. Trouble is people want to walk around in t-shirt and shorts in their house and have it at 25C. 18C and put a jumper on and move about a bit instead of sofa surfing.

    • @burwoodbuild
      @burwoodbuild Před 2 lety +6

      Agreed, love my Edwardian house. I wouldn't swap for a new build even if they were giving them away! 😉

    • @gdfggggg
      @gdfggggg Před 2 lety +4

      @Burwood Build na, I love my new build, I just open the trickle vents 👍🏻

    • @corkion
      @corkion Před 5 měsíci

      i live in a cold house a exercise bike is the job to get the blood flowing @@grotekleum

  • @allanb52
    @allanb52 Před 2 lety +26

    They should start to build air/air heat exchange units at reasonable prices, as used in Scandinavia.

  • @stuartmartin7259
    @stuartmartin7259 Před 2 lety +14

    A few years back I worked in 'snagging' for a bit, I've seen this condensation problem numerous times, as soon as the tenant closes the trickle vents it's game over. And many internal doors fitted without enough air gap underneath to allow the trickle vents system to work correctly anyway. MVHR essential on new builds really.

  • @LukasFink1
    @LukasFink1 Před 2 lety +7

    You make the ventilation problem sound a lot more complicated than it really is. I don't know about the UK, but here in Germany we have this innovative ventilation technology we call “Fenster”. They are basically holes in the wall that are normally covered by a glass pane, but if the air in a room gets bad, they can be opened to let fresh air in (we call this procedure “Lüften”). The most efficient way to apply this technique is to open all the windows of a room at once and close them again after 3-5 minutes, when all the air has been exchanged (we call this “Stoßlüften”). This is more efficient than the trickle ventilation approach, because it doesn't continually cool down the room. Of course it will be cold in that room for a brief time afterwards, but it usually gets quite warm again in under 5 minutes because of the heat stored in the walls and the floor. This technique is usually applied once or twice a day to the whole house, but it can of course be applied more often to specific rooms if the CO₂ concentration or moisture level has risen in that room, e. g. because of a party or after showering. This also solves the problem of the trickle ventilation approach that your amount of needed ventilation actually depends on the amount of people in that room.

    • @SkillBuilder
      @SkillBuilder  Před 2 lety +3

      Lukas
      I like your innovation but sadly in the U.K people who are struggling to pay their fuel bills tend to keep their windows closed and the condensation builds and brings about toxic mould.

    • @pissnotime1894
      @pissnotime1894 Před 7 měsíci

      smart

    • @pissnotime1894
      @pissnotime1894 Před 7 měsíci +1

      in france we have ventilation that can't be stopped 🤦🏻‍♂

  • @cuebj
    @cuebj Před 2 lety +29

    Love the casual reference to dying. I did it three times in April 2020 with a massive heart attack. It was interesting. Felt slight disappointment I wouldn't be able to talk about it but - here I am now. Also small concern I wouldn't finish remaining jobs on house for wife.
    I'd always said fear of dying was daft. If you don't think there's an afterlife, surely it doesn't matter. If you think you go somewhere, surely you've done the deal with the gatekeeper so you're going to be ok, if not, you're weird for ignoring terms and conditions on the ticket. Was, and am, happy to realise that, come the moment, that perspective held up.
    Chat at door with a young charity fund raiser a couple of days ago - he said same and showed me knife scar on his arm. He's starting at medical school in October.

  • @philtucker1224
    @philtucker1224 Před 2 lety +13

    Well presented and very informative Roger, many thanks. All through your presentation my mind was on the black mold problem and over the years I’ve seen a lot of houses suffer this for the first time soon after having the old house double glazed and “draft proofed” - to “slash” the occupiers energy bills, so I absolutely agree with the issues you highlighted so very well 🥵

  • @evildiesel7850
    @evildiesel7850 Před 2 lety +8

    You are spot on mate - did an 88 flat scheme to the regs with massive bi-fold windows everywhere. Never saw a window open after handover (and it was phased so I was there a fair bit!). The condensation in some of them (people drying clothes all over the place etc) was horrible. Stuck MVHR in the next one and no issues at all in the 12 months since handover. Currently building mine - a big 3000 sq ft lump that probably didn't need it but went for MVHR anyway just in case.

  • @gdfggggg
    @gdfggggg Před 2 lety +12

    I’ve worked on many Victorian buildings and have a quite simple process that works really well.
    1.insulate the inner walls, the thicker the better
    2. Plenty of ventilation eg trickle vents, chimney vents, large gaps on the bottom of interior doors
    3. A high quality extractor fan for bathroom with overrun
    4.keep furniture away from walls

  • @Prod-23
    @Prod-23 Před 2 lety +9

    Been watching your videos for a couple of days now. Really great stuff.
    Even if I don't actually do the work myself on my house it's informing me enough to not get the wool pulled over my eyes by unscrupulous types. Really valuable stuff. Thanks.

    • @SkillBuilder
      @SkillBuilder  Před 2 lety +8

      That is our intention, it isn't all about DIY

  • @MichaelThomas-be7gq
    @MichaelThomas-be7gq Před 2 lety +2

    Brilliant video. We have a few trickle vents, extractors and this is the main reason why I will not have cavity wall insulation. There's a few drafts, an older wooden front door, we have an open fireplace, there's a point to keeping them - a few drafts is a very good thing. Our house is 70 years old and the 1st floor was re-rendered just before we bought it, I have no idea who rendered it and what it was rendered with. If the house is chilly... it's jumpers and dressing gowns, no big deal.

  • @Frieslick
    @Frieslick Před 2 lety +2

    One of the most interesting and informative videos I’ve seen from Skill Builder so far.
    I’m doing kits and roughing for multiple developers, and had little genuine understanding of the actual pros & cons of each developer’s detail.
    Thinking about the ramifications of excessive air tightness, thermal bridging and/or ventilation; while also considering the personal habits of any future occupants will inform my work going forward. I feel better for this lesson!
    Thanks Rodger/Skill Builder! 👌🏻

  • @juliangoffe3894
    @juliangoffe3894 Před 2 lety +32

    I installed a heat recovery system in my home when I bought it. (MHRV = Mechanical heat recovery ventilation), the air is changed around 3 times an hour in every room, air is drawn in from outside, and is warmed from the stale air being extracted. So no trickle vents on any windows and therefore no draught from open vents, no condensation even when washing is dried in the house, no wet condensation on windows, no noisy extractors in wet rooms (kitchens and bathrooms), definitely no mould possible either, no CO2 build up from breathing and allergens minimised because of the constant fresh air intake. So cost me around £4,000 7 years ago, but every home home should have one, it is just so much healthier. As soon as you want to save losing heat by insulating houses or make windows and doors airtight and not draughty you have to ventilate, so the MHRV systems, pass the heat at around 90% efficiency from the stale air being removed to the clean fresh air coming in. Lovely.

    • @engleblerthumferlumpadinck6536
      @engleblerthumferlumpadinck6536 Před 2 lety +1

      I watched a few YT videos regarding this, and was thinking of installing a DIY solution (£4000 isn't an insignificant amount), however I soon realised that "90%" efficient also meant that I would be losing 10% of generated heat. Healthy? yes. But economical or ecological? Not really (imo)

    • @muteposting
      @muteposting Před 2 lety +5

      @@engleblerthumferlumpadinck6536 do you think you lose less than 10% on a leaky house 🤦‍♂️

    • @engleblerthumferlumpadinck6536
      @engleblerthumferlumpadinck6536 Před 2 lety

      @@muteposting my house isn't leaky though, hence my interest in improving ventilation.
      Go on, give your head another smack

    • @SkillBuilder
      @SkillBuilder  Před 2 lety +6

      I am not even sure the 90% is achievable. I think the heat transfer could be 60% at best

    • @twmd
      @twmd Před 2 lety

      @Evieniltega at waht temp though. I can get 40% relative humidity by running the gas boier of full all day to get up to 28 degrees.

  • @rogerbarton497
    @rogerbarton497 Před 2 lety +3

    Spot on! I liked that description of the old lady's house - just like mine only I've got an outside loo as well - it's grim Up North!
    One point about old houses with no DPC where the owner has been conned into having their walls treated with a magic potion to save 110% of their heating bills, moisture will come out the ground into the walls and because of the magic potion the only place the moisture can go is inside the house.

  • @nathanwallis1112
    @nathanwallis1112 Před 2 lety +10

    Love the part about air fresheners and chamicals. So many people believe "if it was bad for you it would be banned" so I hope this video converts more people to minimise chamical use. Keep up the good work, best video you have done to date.

  • @SapioiT
    @SapioiT Před 2 lety +8

    Airtight buildings work if you use heat recovery ventilation. Not only that, but all the windows should be double windows, as in a layer of windows close to the outside of the wall and another layer of windows close to the inside of the wall, and this also applies to the windows which open (though you might want one of the windows to be a sliding window, which is cheaper). Ideally, you would have a heat recovery system for every room, but you should have at least one for the whole house and connect it to every room. For filtering the air, you could even use one of those homemade filters made from metal sheet or plywood which lets you use a few rows of tissue paper or paper towels which get secured by a few hinged parallel arms tight against the netting which supports the paper towels/tissues, allowing you to easily unscrew the cover, unscrew the non-hinged end of the parallel arms, change the cheap filter with other cheap filter, screw the parallel arms and then the cover, and you're good to go.
    A 5 minutes job even kids could do (especially if the screws have handles) is a lot cheaper than a 30 minutes job for which you need a very expensive filter and to a paid professional to do the air filter replacing. And you could even use a water filter for the air going into the house, before or after the paper filter (ideally while the air is still not heated when the temperatures outside are above the freezing point of water, the switching between the two can be done using a thermostat and two electric actuators), which you could automate by having a tap which is set to a few drops per hour, the overflow going into the sink, and the air bubbling from the bottom of the water container (which could even be made from a metal funnel and some piping).
    For those interested, they can make a (DIY) heat recovery ventilation system themselves, with nuts, bolts, lots of washers, industrial tinfoil or tinfoil to which you added scotch tape (packing tape) on one side for more strength against tearing, some plywood or plastic or foam or metal sheets plus some glue or spray foam for gluing and insulating the case, scotch tape or aluminium tape (optionally replacing the glue or spray foam for insulation), and some pipes of different sizes and either cement or oven caulking/insulating material. You can look online how heat recovery ventilation system work in more detail, but they have one fan pushing air in (so you have a higher pressure inside the house, to get some of that air out through the places where the house is not airtight, instead of having cold outside air get in when you have a lower pressure inside the house), that air is then split into a bunch of air chambers cold for air going, each in which being placed in-between two adjacent layers of warm air going out, those chambers tend to be fairly long to transfer as much heat from the warm air going out to the cold air going in, those layers needing to have their spacing consistent which is where for the DIY (do-it-yourself) version you use that bunch of nuts, bolts, and the washers for spacing, and having the layers thin enough and long enough will end up in recovering enough of the heat. For example, the "sandwich" of layers could have the even layers for air going out and the odd layers for air going in. Ideally, have the pipes for air going in and air going out be at opposite sides of the same two opposite corners. One corner has on one side previously-cooled warm air air going out of your house, and the other side cold air getting in to get heated, and the opposite corner has on one side warm air going to heat the cold air and on the other wise the already-heated previously-cold now-warm air which to replace the air in the house. For the fans, a single room or a tiny house can use an USB fan or two running from a USB charger (with a long-enough USB cable), while a house might need a bigger fan connected to an electricity plug/outlet in your house. Those who live in windy areas could even use a small wind turbine to mechanically power a fan.
    Sure, it will take a lot of space, and quite a bit of effort to make and set it up, but it would be a lot cheaper to make than buying one, which makes it ideal for poor people who have a lot of free time and maybe not a lot of skill to make money with (i.e. kids and students trying to learn a trade or trying to save some money for their house).
    Edit (1 year later) : And the sad part is that the idea at the end could help some people make a business or a job for themselves. I mean, a store-bought Heat Recovery System costs $1000 or more to buy, but less than $300 to make (at most $500, depending on how efficient you make it, and if you use thermostats and things like that, and if you include the usage of paper kitchen towels as an air filter and mechanism to use that), so you could easily sell that for $700 and make a profit.
    And in that high price I'm assuming you're using metal sheets instead of hard-plastic sheets or plastic veneer, GB-Weld or other mixtures which adhere to metal instead of silicone adhering to plastic which was lightly brushed with a power-drill to increase the contact surface for better adhesion, thermostats for stopping it form working when the temperature of the air going into the house gets too cold or too hot for human comfort (which would significantly reduce but not stop the air circulation), the cheapest fans you can get your hands on instead of silent PC fans from Noctual or similarly-quiet alternatives, a system for adding a professional i.e. N95) air filter aside from the paper-towel air-filter as opposed to no air filter or a few vacuum cleaner bags in parallel, and maybe even adding a solar-power circuit to use solar power during the day and during the night battery power charged from solar power during the day.
    Heck, with cheaper materials, louder fans, and only a paper-towel air filter, you can make that for $200 or less. As I said, the cheapest and thinnest plastic siding, cheapest PC fans you can get, cheapest chinese usb power cord and power plug you can get for powering the fan/fans, cheap wooden casing for the paper towel filter, which covers almost the entirety of a wall and requires unscrewing standard screws to replace, and the cheapest (indoors or outdoors) silicone for insulating the layers of cheap plastic siding for directing the airflow and making the whole thing work. It would be big, bulky, and probably also ugly, but it would work, so you could use it yourself, or sell it for $300-$500 to people who don't care about how it looks or how power efficient it is, only that it works and it's cheap. Heck, people living next to a highway or a busy city center would benefit the most, from one of those.

    • @theowhite
      @theowhite Před 9 měsíci +1

      Fantastic comment thank you for sharing all of this with us

    • @SapioiT
      @SapioiT Před 9 měsíci +2

      ​@@theowhite My pleasure! I'm glad someone actually read my comment. Most people won't read a wall of text. And the sad part is that the idea at the end could help some people make a business or a job for themselves. I mean, a store-bought Heat Recovery System costs $1000 or more to buy, but less than $300 to make (at most $500, depending on how efficient you make it, and if you use thermostats and things like that, and if you include the usage of paper kitchen towels as an air filter and mechanism to use that), so you could easily sell that for $700 and make a profit.
      And in that high price I'm assuming you're using metal sheets instead of hard-plastic sheets or plastic veneer, GB-Weld or other mixtures which adhere to metal instead of silicone adhering to plastic which was lightly brushed with a power-drill to increase the contact surface for better adhesion, thermostats for stopping it form working when the temperature of the air going into the house gets too cold or too hot for human comfort (which would significantly reduce but not stop the air circulation), the cheapest fans you can get your hands on instead of silent PC fans from Noctual or similarly-quiet alternatives, a system for adding a professional i.e. N95) air filter aside from the paper-towel air-filter as opposed to no air filter or a few vacuum cleaner bags in parallel, and maybe even adding a solar-power circuit to use solar power during the day and during the night battery power charged from solar power during the day.
      Heck, with cheaper materials, louder fans, and only a paper-towel air filter, you can make that for $200 or less. As I said, the cheapest and thinnest plastic siding, cheapest PC fans you can get, cheapest chinese usb power cord and power plug you can get for powering the fan/fans, cheap wooden casing for the paper towel filter, which covers almost the entirety of a wall and requires unscrewing standard screws to replace, and the cheapest (indoors or outdoors) silicone for insulating the layers of cheap plastic siding for directing the airflow and making the whole thing work. It would be big, bulky, and probably also ugly, but it would work, so you could use it yourself, or sell it for $300-$500 to people who don't care about how it looks or how power efficient it is, only that it works and it's cheap. Heck, people living next to a highway or a busy city center would benefit the most, from one of those.

  • @Linisten
    @Linisten Před 2 lety +19

    These videos in front of a whiteboard are always fascinating. I used to live in an 80s timber frame terrace with god knows how many holes in the vapour barrier from various peoples DIY over the years. It makes you wonder how many houses are out there that are ticking time bombs with all sorts of damage to the fabric that isn't in plain sight.

  • @jimbelton
    @jimbelton Před 2 lety +101

    "Save the Planet, Kill the People" sounds like a World Economic Forum slogan.

    • @SkillBuilder
      @SkillBuilder  Před 2 lety +10

      It would work

    • @congt9288
      @congt9288 Před 2 lety

      WEF ! love it Jim :-)

    • @johnnorris1983
      @johnnorris1983 Před 2 lety +5

      OR move to another planet and kill that one also

    • @mikes4163
      @mikes4163 Před 2 lety +2

      Well most of the world's (and many of our) problems are due to there being too many people ......

    • @auntygravity3915
      @auntygravity3915 Před 2 lety

      @@mikes4163 it’s to many ppl in the one place that’s the problem. All the ppl
      In the world can been physically place in to any one state in America shoulder right shoulder of course.

  • @michaelsheridan5606
    @michaelsheridan5606 Před 2 lety +2

    Just go Passive, airtight, warm healthy and incredibly fuel efficient. No dust mites, no excess humidity, no mould. Living in a Passive standard house for over six years now and neither of us have had as much as a cold in that time. All built for the same price or cheaper than a house built to UK regs.

  • @kevinaldridge
    @kevinaldridge Před 2 lety +3

    Great info Roger. I worked for a housing association and saw a lot of flats that were damp inside, so I know exactly what you are saying. Often people just would not open windows. I live in a 1970s x council flat and I have never had a problem with damp because I always keep my windows open. 🙏🏽

    • @hannahjames3180
      @hannahjames3180 Před 2 lety

      Interesting...
      Look at this..
      czcams.com/video/e5XQrCLLlyc/video.html

    • @SkillBuilder
      @SkillBuilder  Před 2 lety +1

      That is completely amazing

  • @MrSmid888
    @MrSmid888 Před 2 lety +12

    7:15 Roger that’s a good story , I was fitting loft insulation in a council house around 15yrs ago and same thing , a little old lady sat in the chair, her home was like a time capsule, her kitchen was near non existent, the old deep sink with wooden drier. Basic base units. Must of been from the 50’s. Seemingly she refused any upgrades offered. She seemed happy enough but I was shocked. Each to their own

    • @psi10001
      @psi10001 Před 2 lety +8

      You can't miss what you haven't had

    • @morphix9
      @morphix9 Před rokem

      Brings back memories of my grandma, one tap over a Belfast sink, + a gas cooker. She insisted that the door be always left open , lived till about 99 when she decided to move on.
      Our ch rads are a mystery to Europeans , what a con trick . A dry house is a warm house . Old neglected chimneys tend to be the problem where humidity and damp start . It shows at ground floor level so often diagnosed as dpc breakdown

  • @pumpkinhead456
    @pumpkinhead456 Před 2 lety +57

    Isn't it funny that we are saving the planet by wrapping our houses in plastic! Meantime, a sheep's fleece costs £10, hemp is easy to grow etc. It's a funny old world!

    • @jasoneldridge4738
      @jasoneldridge4738 Před 2 lety

      I thought plastics originated from oil ?

    • @westaylor-rendal4955
      @westaylor-rendal4955 Před 2 lety

      @@jasoneldridge4738 generally speaking they do

    • @hughtierney9109
      @hughtierney9109 Před 2 lety +3

      Have a look at the great products offered by Natural Building Technologies. They make insulation and cladding systems of sustainable materials that are breathable. I built a workshop using their materials and it's a much nicer, drier, building to be in than my brick built house.

    • @Monaleenian
      @Monaleenian Před 2 lety +2

      Not that funny. Plastic is a great material.

    • @TheDeano4000
      @TheDeano4000 Před 2 lety +1

      Sheep's fleece is under £1

  • @stevehensonuk
    @stevehensonuk Před 2 lety +3

    Great video thanks! Co-incidentally I got the shortness of breath first thing in the morning at a modern hotel - sealed windows. We'd turned the a/c off to stop our throats drying out and that must have stopped the air-changing in the room. Quite un-nerving!

  • @MrPd2talk
    @MrPd2talk Před rokem

    This was brilliant! and very helpful. I just built a block recording studio in my back yard and we water-sealed it inside and out, thinking we were preventing moisture from entering it. Low an behold, just my wife and my breath was building up in the room and in the coldest back corner we were seeing water run down the wall onto the floor. Not much, but enough to catch my attention and wonder how on earth it was getting into the building. After thinking about it I figured out that the building was so air-tight it had to be our own breath causing this. If I left the door open for a while or if I was not in the building for a few days, no water showed. So now I'll have to figure out how to keep the sound out and let fresh air in somehow.

  • @wekapeka3493
    @wekapeka3493 Před 2 lety +42

    One day somebody is going to make a miaculous discovery that people are healthier in a (slightly) draughty house. And they are just as warm wearing another laying of clothing!

    • @infinitewars6373
      @infinitewars6373 Před rokem

      There are ventilation units that are meant to be installed in houses like that that retain up to 96% of heat, and in colder countries thats how houses are built and no issues found in warmer countries government does everything for you to buy heating fuel…

  • @MrCapacitator
    @MrCapacitator Před 2 lety +5

    You're definitley onto something cos I noticed when I used to live in the UK I would have headaches very often but since I moved to Thailand 20 years ago I cannot remember when I last had a headache and the houses here are anything but airtight, I'm looking at an outside door now in my home that has a half inch gap between it and the floor.

  • @kevinmorris9386
    @kevinmorris9386 Před 2 lety

    Absolutely brilliant roger,thoroughly enjoyed your rant and the sing song,so true.
    keep them coming and keep up the good work educating the masses to what’s going on.well done someone on CZcams with common sense,very much lacking today.
    my in-laws are dad 98 mum 94 they have the windows open,eat all good wholesome food loads of good fat,lard,fried breakfast, food,don’t take any pills and drink lots of water and the occasional shandy and have had a blooming great life on it.

  • @CMbassin
    @CMbassin Před 5 měsíci

    I bought a 1980s split level ranch two years ago and it had a lot of rotten sheathing which allowed bugs and mice in. I took all the siding off and replaced the sheathing with Huber zip system, following the guidelines and taping all the seams and air sealing more to keep bugs out than I cared about air. Well I have new siding, windows doors and roof now but places where air can leak into the wall cavity are causing mold. Now I’m gutting the whole interior and installing an hrv, new insulation and being very fussy about the vapor barrier when installing it by caulking it onto the studs top and bottom plates and taping around outlets and windows. Learned a hard lesson about sealing up an old home.

  • @Tensquaremetreworkshop
    @Tensquaremetreworkshop Před 2 lety +38

    What you need, of course, is a ventilation system with a heat exchanger. Common in Scandinavia. But we love old houses, and even pass laws to prevent the owners modifying them.

    • @migsvensurfing6310
      @migsvensurfing6310 Před 2 lety

      I cant afford it... live in Denmark.

    • @Nbomber
      @Nbomber Před 2 lety +2

      Even ventilation systems are too great. Amazing way to spread mold spores and bacteria all over the house, even when maintained properly.
      Nothings perfect I suppose.

    • @superbecx
      @superbecx Před 2 lety +3

      @@Nbomber you don't know what you're talking about . Hrv or erv are the best thing. Constant supply of fresh and filtered air .

    • @Nbomber
      @Nbomber Před 2 lety +8

      @@superbecx err, yes I do. I have a degree in architectural technology. In the summer months, when the external relative humidity is high, those systems are a great place for mold to grow. Thats for an hrv.
      In an erv, if you have high internal humidity, then you get that moisture back into the home.
      Put it this way, at various times in the year, both systems will frequently be passing enough relative humidity to promote the growth of mold.
      This is why you have to maintain them, but A, nobody ever does, and B changing the filter does nothing for the ducting.
      It doesn't matter if you filter it, the humidity passes through the filter easily.
      In fact, commercial ventilation systems have to undergo regular mold testing for this very reason.

    • @BendeVette
      @BendeVette Před 2 lety +4

      Don't blame the lack of maintenance on the system itself.
      When properly maintained, an ERV and HRV are great systems which both solve the problems mentioned in this rant.

  • @loafersheffield
    @loafersheffield Před 2 lety +14

    Ventilation: The most pertinent and pressing question is.
    Why do I have to "open that bloody window" post defecation, but the same rule doesn't apply to she (who must be obeyed)? It's the time of year when spiders start entering the house. Which gives me an idea. Don't panic! It didn't hurt.

    • @davenz000
      @davenz000 Před 2 lety +3

      Light a match. Just not too close to explosive gases.

    • @loafersheffield
      @loafersheffield Před 2 lety +1

      @@davenz000 Oh, I've tried that. Just don't hold it too close to your bum-hole and always make sure undies are ON. Shaving, waxing if you're into it but nepalming pubes is not recommended.

  • @advent3774
    @advent3774 Před rokem +1

    If the people who live in properties that are having mould problems bothered to wipe the walls down with warm water and any type of mould spray , or any cleaner, on a regular basis, ie : daily, weekly, or monthly , whatever is required, that would stop the mould from getting a hold on that room and getting worse as shown on recent reports . The fact is you can see the filth on new UPVC window frames , and mould doesn’t take muck effort to wipe from plastic ! I have advised customers before that their tenants need to open all windows every morning and let fresh air in and stale air out for at least 15 minutes, they could do this before showering etc , and close them before they went out if they are rushed in the mornings . It would SMELL a lot better to ! Basically it comes down to LAZY people.

  • @simonroberts9759
    @simonroberts9759 Před 2 lety +1

    Fabulous video Roger. My wife and I really enjoy learning at University Roger. Seriously, you provide a great learning experience. Thanks.

  • @jonnylee2479
    @jonnylee2479 Před 2 lety +10

    Another fantastic video, Roger Id love to know more about buildings with Lime plastering, as my house has lime plaster on every wall, many of the walls need to be repaired but I simply cant afford to pay a lime specialist. I know that modern gypsum plaster doesn't breathe. Id love to know ays around it or any advice?

  • @ericblair5458
    @ericblair5458 Před 2 lety +3

    Love it! Really enjoyed that Roger. Very interesting, very informative.

  • @timtaps77
    @timtaps77 Před 2 lety +2

    Thank you Roger. Love your messages and the delivery.
    I couldn’t help but think of what I learned sitting on a safety board for the fire department in Kirkland Washington about flashover. And that with all the new elements and fabrics which you spoke about.
    Back when all materials were natural it would take a house fire 28-42 minutes to meet flashover (the point at which human or pet couldn’t survive) Now because of all the fake materials in homes flashover is 4 minutes.
    Have you covered this subject before? If not I welcome your rant!
    Cheers from Cape Cod Massachusetts. Thank you!

    • @Darrida
      @Darrida Před rokem

      Interesting, thanks for sharing.

  • @Mojo_3.14
    @Mojo_3.14 Před 2 lety +1

    I love the architecture of old southern USA homes. The layout windows and doors and hallways were always placed for optimum cross air ventilation. The dogtrot home (breezeway house)and shotgun home in particular. No air conditioning at all. Losing heat vs trying to get rid of heat.

  • @lewbaker
    @lewbaker Před 2 lety +14

    Sounds like it's about time we move away from the old central heating systems and start using forced air heating/ventilation like a lot of other places in the world do, would be much more suited to heat pumps too

  • @patrickmurray2220
    @patrickmurray2220 Před 2 lety +18

    A local dry rot/damp treatment man once told me a drafty house is a healthy house. I love my open fire/ solid fuel boiler going in the winter.

    • @TABRO284
      @TABRO284 Před 2 lety +1

      Same here, love my open fire it even has a back boiler.

  • @user-yw2xx8jv3o
    @user-yw2xx8jv3o Před 2 lety

    Again great video and some very valid points. Air tight house mechanical ventilation is a must, with heat recovery. Another advantage to the MVHR is the pollen filters if you suffer from hay fever.

  • @oakfieldfarm4131
    @oakfieldfarm4131 Před 2 lety +1

    Just finishing our Passivhaus build so I thought I’d share a few numbers here for info.
    The house has a volume of about 400 cubic meters, 5 tonnes of cellulose (shredded newspaper) insulation, triple glazed windows and an MVHR system but NO heating system at all - well, that’s not 100% true, it has two 600w electric towel rails, a hob, oven, hot water cylinder, fridge, freezer that all produce some heat but there’s no “heating system” as such - no boiler, no heat pump, no rads, no under-floor, no wood-stove etc., nothing.
    The final airtightness test result was 0.07 air changes per hour at a pressure of 50 pascals, which is VERY airtight, even for a Passivhaus, which has to be below 0.6 ACH. This is to prevent air/heat leaking out of the building in an uncontrolled way.
    However, the MVHR system runs normally at 110 cubic meters of ventilation per hour and so completely changes the 400 cubic meters of air air inside the building about every four hours or six times per day - which is a lot of ventilation.
    The benefit of doing this is that the stale air and moisture is leaving the building but the heat is not! Most of the heat is being put back into the building by using it to heat and dehumidify the incoming air. Here’s a snapshot of the MVHR numbers:
    Extract air: 17.9° 61%
    Exhaust air: 10° 89%
    Outdoor air: 7° 94%
    Supply air: 17.7° 53%
    So it’s only lost 0.2° of heat and it’s reduced the humidity by 8% whilst completely changing the air in the house every four hours and is doing this whilst only drawing 14w, ie the equivalent of a couple of LED bulbs.
    So, airtightness, ventilation, moisture control and “heating” all rolled into one.

    • @SkillBuilder
      @SkillBuilder  Před 2 lety

      Thank you for that. An airtight building with MVHR makes a lot of sense, without it, not so much.

    • @yurjip9563
      @yurjip9563 Před 2 lety

      Finished my airtight house 10 years ago. If/when I move, the one thing any new house must have is MVHR. It is such a game changer effecting your quality of life. I visit other people's houses and they just feel unhealthy. I built close to PH standards but the only thing you have to watch out for is overheating. Our house needs no heating with 3/4 people inside, but add a few more and you have to open some windows. Christmas dinner with family is always with Veluxes wide open 😀

  • @Ianf1x
    @Ianf1x Před 2 lety +4

    I bought a 1960s bungalow house that was Black mould top to bottom all the wall paper had peeled off. I removed the bricks at damp proof course a few at a time removed the insulation .house has been perfect 11 years now. Air brick were all doing nothing as inner and outers were not opposite. The estate agent said who would buy this but I saw its potential.

    • @NOWThatsRichy
      @NOWThatsRichy Před 2 lety +1

      My old neighbours had cavity wall insulation, the white fluffy rock wool stuff, when the new people moved in they found all the inside walls were damp, all the insulation had to be removed, a major job involving special hoovers & knocking bricks out everywhere, some of the stuff they pulled out was literally dripping with water!
      My house has the polystyrene bead type insulation & I've not had any problems with it.

  • @MattyEngland
    @MattyEngland Před 2 lety +5

    Another great video. Respect for having the balls to say the things that need to be said 👍

  • @Lee.Willcox
    @Lee.Willcox Před rokem +2

    Roger, this has always baffled me when I first saw it come about on that show "Grand Designs". I was so very confused. Everything needs to breath and being a keen gardener I know that my lawn needs to breath so I occasionally run a spiked roller over it. House plants need to breath. Bricks need to breath, masionay, wood and especially pot plants which is why I only use terracotta pots never plastic. My aquarium and pond plants need to breath, my fish, frogs and aquatic snails need to breath. I need to breath, my wife needs to breath and my 3 cats need to breath. Even the occasional mouse needs to breath until they get caught in jaws (Good boys Kitties). I know so many people (including my wife and mother) that have the heating on with at least one small window open. Drives me crazy but they are doing the right thing.

  • @johnhunter4181
    @johnhunter4181 Před rokem

    Excellant rant. The big disgrace is UK building regs. My house is 40 years old and came with MVHR installed. It's 5-bed detached and the total output of all rads comes to 2.5kW - the thermostat stays at 21°C and we don't need TRVs because every room is used throughout the day. It's now 11pm and the heating just came on for the first time today as the outside temp has dropped to 5°C. The rads got to 40°C and the heating went off again after 12mins. I know all this because I'm recording the boiler flow temps to try and convince Octopus and British Gas that I do not need a 12kW ASHP and bigger rads. Where was the house made? Sweden of course and it's so frustrating trying to get installers to think outside their crappy British new-build boxes.

  • @peterburley2086
    @peterburley2086 Před 2 lety +6

    I live in a fairly modern bungalow with all mod cons, in the summer the doors and some windows can be open all day, in the winter we deal with the slight condensation that starts to appear on the bottom of the conservatory windows by using a dehumidifier overnight. All doors are normally open all day and all night with a couple of bedroom windows slightly locked open. Seems to work for me, the dehumidifier takes out about 2 litres of moister a week which we use in the iron and to water the house plants. If I am mistaken in my method I would appreciate further guidance.

    • @rue80
      @rue80 Před 2 lety +3

      Exactly same issue.Dehumidifier has helped a lot.

    • @yurjip9563
      @yurjip9563 Před 2 lety

      What you are doing is a solution but IMO an ugly and labour intensive one by having to have a dehumidifier plugged in. What Roger omitted to say is that you can get individual MVHR units for each room that get most use. Basically an electrically controlled vent with a humidistat and heat exchanger. When it senses higher humidity it extracts the humid air, brings in fresh air and charges the fresh air with 90% of the heat in the outgoing air. Once humidity back to the set level it stops. Virtually silent, very low running costs. No more open windows etc, better security and it is totally automatic. I know this as I built my house with MVHR which is fantastic but I needed a solution for a 2nd older property and found these units.

  • @abdulrahiman812
    @abdulrahiman812 Před 2 lety +31

    I think Roger’s been taking acting classes. Made me 😆

    • @johnnorris1983
      @johnnorris1983 Před 2 lety +7

      You can’t act passionately about subjects you care about. You’d falter too often. Good to know someone cares. Cheers Rodger

  • @davidblackman7085
    @davidblackman7085 Před rokem

    I live in a maisonette with no garden, so i use 3 clothes airers on my landing. I never use the heating and always have the windows open. I've never had a problem with mold and i use fleece bedding with a 10 tog quilt and still sweat during winter with the windows open. As for dust, i live next door to the M4 and Heathrow Airport so don't have a lot of choices there.
    Another great video, thank you.

  • @liammullan2197
    @liammullan2197 Před 2 lety +1

    Very well put together talk. We need solutions, don't we? Returning to the cold and draughty houses of old is not going to work (and god knows they caused countless health issues).

  • @ReedikTuuling
    @ReedikTuuling Před 2 lety +7

    We have a 70€ CO2 detector in our home. It tells us when the level is too high in a smartphone app. We then turn on the bathroom ceiling vent or the kitchen stove vent and the levels are good in ~20 minutes. We are thinking about getting those wall mounted vents that save the outgoing heat and also heat the air coming in.

    • @tedlahm5740
      @tedlahm5740 Před 2 lety

      What is causing the level to go up?

    • @ReedikTuuling
      @ReedikTuuling Před 2 lety +1

      @@tedlahm5740 Just breathing. O2 in, CO2 out.

  • @paulhill1665
    @paulhill1665 Před 2 lety +5

    Pasive house standard, with heat recovery ventilation would be the way I would go, if done correctly. As to any of the large developers being able to it correctly, given the current build standards…
    Condensation is when air with a high RH, the amount of water held in the air, meets a colder surface, the air cools and if the RH get to 100% then condensation is the result. In old leaky houses the wet inside air is replaced with dryer air from outside, in an air tight house this has to be done by a mechanical system, also with higher installation in the walls they will be warmer on the inside, less likely to be at the dew point, when condensation will form.
    That is one area where America is far ahead of us, with the HVAC system that usually includes a dehumidifier. They also consider black mould to be a health hazard, and can make a house uninhabitable until the mould is fixed.

    • @SkillBuilder
      @SkillBuilder  Před 2 lety +6

      I agree about the passive house but they are making houses air tight with none of the MVHR. That is the flaw

    • @paulhill1665
      @paulhill1665 Před 2 lety +3

      @@SkillBuilder it will not change until the building regs require it to be done, and the big developers are stopped from self certification of new builds.

  • @magneticinteriors8530
    @magneticinteriors8530 Před 2 lety +1

    Gotta love Rogers rants! And dealing head on with topics that sound as though they are forgone conclusions but in reality far from it - esp for the poor. Would like to hear more about retro fitted heat exchange systems that may be suitable for those on a budget. BTW anyone remember the 'Shake and Vac' ads on the subject of smelly houses!

  • @marieaudreyduchamp8839
    @marieaudreyduchamp8839 Před rokem +1

    Another great rant ....Thanks Roger. Funny we have the same debates here in France. All new houses here under the latest building regulation must be air pressure test certified and must have an MVHR.

  • @anthonybragg4844
    @anthonybragg4844 Před 2 lety +6

    As always brilliant. We live in a world that obeys the law of unintended consequences ie it looks good today etc etc and then we learn how stupid our decisions were. Keep it up Rog.

  • @MSReef
    @MSReef Před 2 lety +6

    I’m currently doing a new build and making it as airtight as possible but I’m also looking to install a MVHR too.

    • @allotmentuk1303
      @allotmentuk1303 Před 2 lety

      If you make it air tight you will have to install a MVHR Roger is bang on the button with this topic

  • @Rob-ln7dd
    @Rob-ln7dd Před 2 lety +1

    Renovated 1790 farm house at 1100m in the Alps, insulated the outside walls, lime plastered inside, installed full mvhr, double and triple glazed windows, underfloor heating with supplemental wood burner and dedicated external air supply. Gets to -20 in winter...we don't get condensation, not a hint of dampness anywhere. Total 375m2 of space included heated garage.... Heating /hw bills max €1700 year..... It's brilliant, I can't recommend great insulation + mvhr enough.

  • @mdug7224
    @mdug7224 Před 2 lety +2

    Perfect rant.👍
    I am setting up a low voltage/wattage MHRV for my small house but have a dehumidifier in the equation as a must. It reduces heat loss to damp air as well as controlling moisture.

    • @willbee6785
      @willbee6785 Před 2 lety +1

      The dehumidifier will give you a sore throat if it takes too much moisture out the air. Hope this helps.

    • @mdug7224
      @mdug7224 Před 2 lety

      @@willbee6785 thanks. I aim to set at 50%👍

  • @rowanfrost1265
    @rowanfrost1265 Před 2 lety +3

    Part L and Part F of the approved documents are having a number of changes made to them soon that will cover this topic and ensure that with increased air tightness the ventilation is also improved.

  • @bikerchrisukk
    @bikerchrisukk Před 2 lety +5

    You sum it up well Roger, only an house built for MVHR is the solution, but that's big bucks and working Joe ain't got that kind of money. What's worse is that motivation by Gov is to do half a job with insulation, and don't worry about the health issues.
    Another random story #1: I was brought up in a house that was leaky as hell, but it did us no harm other than being bloody cold in the winter.
    random story #2: My grandad was an Architect, he and his wife lived 'til over 90 in a house that had walls so thin, you could read through them (stick build).

    • @johnrussell5245
      @johnrussell5245 Před 2 lety +4

      I put MVHR in my house during building for around £2,000 plus a bit of extra labour. It's a tiny fraction of the build cost and should be compulsory. I wouldn't live in a house without it ever again. I agree about useless trickle vents.

  • @arieveloo9808
    @arieveloo9808 Před 2 lety +1

    So nice the way you present the videos!!!! Love it!!!!!

  • @AS-jm9uk
    @AS-jm9uk Před rokem +1

    Excellent knowledge Roger and well explained. Thank you 👍💚

  • @adamhasan4736
    @adamhasan4736 Před 2 lety +4

    Really enjoyed this one Roger - very funny and educational - if only school had been like that!

  • @TheWtfnonamez
    @TheWtfnonamez Před 2 lety +6

    I saw a great video by a guy who specialises in insulating log cabins and sheds. He basically said "If you cant make something 100% air tights, and waterproof, dont even bother trying. VENTILATE". Basically 99% airtight means 99% of any trapped water causes problems. Just assume there will be a gap or pin prick somewhere, and base your design on healthy ventilation. FYI my bedroom faces the sunrise, and in the mornings it lights up all the dust in the air. Im a pretty clean guy by DAMN ... bed linen, clothes, carpets and people throw off so much dust. I have a little hepa air filter where I sleep and periodically, heat the place up and do a complete air change. Its not pleasant or cheap doing it during the winter, but you need to blow moisture out.

  • @rsmith02
    @rsmith02 Před 15 dny

    I'm suffering from issues related to a lack of airtightness. The room I'm in has tongue and groove wood panels. It's in the attic so I need an air conditioner to cool. What I didn't realize is there is no actual drywall under much of the panels- the insulation itself is exposed! Cool air is easily passing through the fiberglass and hitting hot humid outdoor air in the summer causing condensation.
    My first floor has similar issues between the house and foundation where humidity levels skyrocket after rainy days and I keep getting mold outbreaks. What I wouldn't give for proper air sealing, a moisture barrier under the foundation and a proper ERV for ventilation and humidity control.

  • @fckmunch
    @fckmunch Před 2 lety +1

    I had a passive build in mind, not fully, but pretty tight. (Most materials bought already). Eps raft system, tripple glazed, 250mm wall insuation with wood fibre breathable outer insulation, 350mm ins in roof, air tight wrap, wood clad, with mvhr. But I'm running out of dosh so cant afford an mvhr and wood clad. (Render is cheaper and I'm building all myself). So now have the difficult decision of whether to keep in the farts or let them escape. I may go half arsed on this one.

  • @lovenottheworld5723
    @lovenottheworld5723 Před 2 lety +4

    In the middle of winter with the central heating on if I open the front door wide open for ten seconds I think there'd be easily ten cubic metres of air exchanged. That happens a few times a day at least. Leave the bathroom window and shower door open until the shower is completely dry and I've never had a problem with mould in the bathroom. Just zap the slightest black spot with diluted bleach so it doesn't get a foothold.

  • @tinytonymaloney7832
    @tinytonymaloney7832 Před 2 lety +37

    My mates wallet is air tight especially when we go into Costa.
    Brilliant video Rog.
    It's true, but thing is building control dictate the air tightness rules not the owner.

    • @paulbrenning7022
      @paulbrenning7022 Před 2 lety +7

      Why go into costa? I take a flask and then I'm not out of £34 quid.

    • @hannahjames3180
      @hannahjames3180 Před 2 lety +4

      Yes. Drying clothes indoors etc and cooking without saucepan lids add moisture to the home environment.
      Showers and baths cause condensation which people might see running off their cisterns.
      I always open my bathroom window about an inch when showering or bathing.
      It all helps.

    • @tinytonymaloney7832
      @tinytonymaloney7832 Před 2 lety +4

      @@hannahjames3180 same here, I like to leave extract fan on for at least 20 mins after a shower, missus turns it off straight after, pisses me right off, not tied in with light as there is a large window which is always open a crack
      Our cooker hood is on 24hrs a day as well on tick over when the hob isn't used. No mould visible in our house, would be if the missus lived alone, all windows shut and no extraction.

    • @hannahjames3180
      @hannahjames3180 Před 2 lety +4

      @@tinytonymaloney7832 I have two extractors. One in kitchen and bathroom.
      Kitchen one I can put on as I choose. Also have lots of windows in big kitchen.
      Bathroom extractor only kicks in when light is put on and to be honest, it is loud and you can't have a relaxing bath listening to that.

    • @burwoodbuild
      @burwoodbuild Před 2 lety +9

      @@tinytonymaloney7832 I swapped my bathroom extractor for one that runs 20 mins after switching off for the same reason. The missus doesn't fancy crawling into the attic in her slippers and dressing gown to adjust the setting. Problem solved!

  • @cuebj
    @cuebj Před 2 lety

    Friend got one of those humidifiers - plugged into 4-gang extension lead. Electrics went off for the 4 circuits in that section of consumer unit. Asked me for help before calling electrician. Extension lead and unused sockets were sopping wet from the mist. Removed it. No problem since

  • @iaingosling3445
    @iaingosling3445 Před 2 lety +1

    Just back from Iceland House is constructed with 6" thick walls stuffed with mineral wool and 8" on the roof and floor. OSB or ply facing internally and corrugated metal exterior with OSB and a vapour barrier. Warm as toast, even with double glazing or though some have triple. So why do we build with 2 skins of brick/block and such complex expensive materials

  • @Overfl00d
    @Overfl00d Před 2 lety +5

    You sir, deserve more than 1 million subscribers.

    • @SkillBuilder
      @SkillBuilder  Před 2 lety +3

      I would settle for a million

    • @ruinunes8251
      @ruinunes8251 Před 2 lety +1

      @@SkillBuilder Give it time Roger. You will get there. You know very well as a builder, good reputation times time to gain it. Give it time and keep the rants coming. They are brilliant.

  • @twmd
    @twmd Před 2 lety +4

    we replaced an open fire with a wood burner - if the feed is open then it still works well as a passive ventilation system when not in use

    • @dw300
      @dw300 Před 2 lety +2

      Same with oven extractor fan if there's wind blowing past the vent outlet.

    • @johnnorris1983
      @johnnorris1983 Před 2 lety

      @@dw300 extractor has spring to close vent when not on….so need more ventilation.

    • @johnnorris1983
      @johnnorris1983 Před 2 lety

      The vent will only draw air in during fire. Unless you have another vent in the house

    • @twmd
      @twmd Před 2 lety +4

      @@johnnorris1983 no that's not true. the passive stack effect is a very effective ventilator. We are not talking about a passivhaus here - there is always natural ventilation

  • @adriansams6066
    @adriansams6066 Před 2 lety +1

    Trickle vents are not compulsory on Windows and Haven't been for years. If you are replacing an existing window which has a trickle vent Building control like to see them but if the existing hasn't got a trickle vent then there is no obligation to fit one.People need to do the very simple process of opening their windows in the morning to "Air" the house.It's amazing to think we have lost the ability to think logically. Enjoyed the video.

    • @SkillBuilder
      @SkillBuilder  Před 2 lety

      Adrian
      We are talking about air tight houses here and they need ventilation to comply with the Building Regs. One way of achieving it is with trickle vents.

    • @adriansams6066
      @adriansams6066 Před 2 lety

      @@SkillBuilder Another way of achieving it is to open the bloody windows, just like we have done for over 800yrs. If we visited 100 houses where the windows have tickle vents I would bet my house on 90% of them having them shut all the time. Many window fasteners have a nightvent facility built into the fastener which means the window can be left open whilst also being secure.. Trickle vents are simply not needed on windows but hey what the fuck do I know. I've only had 35yrs experience of making windows ,doors etc.
      Maybe you can explain why ,after years of requiring windows to have trickle vents the Building regs stopped insisting on them being fitted to all new windows around 10yrs ago...........Why do you think that is?.

  • @romanodowbusz6139
    @romanodowbusz6139 Před 2 lety +2

    I fitted a velux above the staircase and atrium so when air rises up and the velux is open it should draw air from trickle vents on the ground floor. You can go a step further and install sensors to operate the velux, CO2, humidity and temperature to automatically open the velux and a rain sensor to close the velux.

    • @SkillBuilder
      @SkillBuilder  Před 2 lety +1

      Even with the trickle vent open on a roof window you get a good flow.

    • @romanodowbusz6139
      @romanodowbusz6139 Před 2 lety

      @@SkillBuilder Yes, I tend to keep the trickle vent on a roof window always open to get a nice flow and you don't need to worry about the rain.

  • @SteveHit1
    @SteveHit1 Před 2 lety +8

    Your video was prescient: an article in today’s Times reports that houses and other buildings need to be designed with ventilation, and not to use the sealed box approach that you note is the current norm!

    • @piblet2
      @piblet2 Před 2 lety +2

      As above - you use a sealed box approach with a mechanical ventilation system, and have the best of both worlds.... it's not a big deal, particularly if you're building a house from scratch?

    • @SteveHit1
      @SteveHit1 Před 2 lety

      @@piblet2 I agree about the use of mechanical heat recovery / ventilation, but that costs, and most new builds are built to an absolute minimum spec, so I can’t see that happening apart from higher spec new builds. A bit like solar panels on all new builds would make sense, but it won’t happen due to cost.

    • @michaellloyd463
      @michaellloyd463 Před 2 lety +1

      Why is this not widely understood though ? These principles were understood 150 years ago, probably 10000 years ago, sash windows, chimneys, under eaves gaps etc.....where was the fatal turning point ?

  • @maxhatman3218
    @maxhatman3218 Před 2 lety +4

    Very good summary of a significant problem where the best solutions can be impractical (MVHR). My experience is that the biggest bang for the buck comes from having powerful extractors in kitchen and bathroom especially if humidity controlled. As Roger points out - with extractors you know exactly where the moisture is going - directly to the outside. Thanks for putting this up - great presentation.

    • @garrrhudson
      @garrrhudson Před 2 lety

      Hi Max, interested to hear your further thoughts on this. I’m building an extension to side of my house (1990s built hollow block construction )and large attic conversion also which will mean most of the existing house gets stripped back. I’m in the trade but I’m just finding the whole air tightness, ventilation, insulation subject to be a bit of a minefield. Need to just settle on a practical and efficient plan of action! Any advice greatly appreciated

  • @stefandenic7144
    @stefandenic7144 Před 5 měsíci

    Lovely video, really enjoy your content!

  • @tonkysue207
    @tonkysue207 Před 2 lety

    So much information,and entertaining.thank you .

  • @ryansellar9149
    @ryansellar9149 Před 2 lety +22

    I'll grant you I'm only half way round the video but if you think 60 years ago you were breathing in fresh lovely air in your town with tens of thousands of coal fires and industrial processes was much better you're having a laugh! Never mind lead pipes and lead paint, lead fuel for your car give your kid a bag of arsenic sweets while you're sawing up your asbestos fire proofing 😂

    • @SkillBuilder
      @SkillBuilder  Před 2 lety +5

      Good point

    • @anton-ello
      @anton-ello Před 2 lety

      100% facts. It's unfair to compare to 60 years ago 😂 that's when the game lost its purpose and it was all profit focused. They killed a lot of people with their toxic products. Look back over 500 years ago. That's the best way to build 👍

    • @Dragondezznuts
      @Dragondezznuts Před 2 lety

      Arsenic in the wallpaper that would randomly kill you.

    • @AdamC66
      @AdamC66 Před 2 lety +1

      And leaded petrol… Dad’s going to the garage… windows down everybody!

  • @michaelwilliams3648
    @michaelwilliams3648 Před 2 lety +7

    Carbon dioxide - high blood pressure - Rogers rants, someone get Roger a trickle vert

  • @cbcsucks2205
    @cbcsucks2205 Před 2 lety

    I live in Canada with much more extremes and I agree 100%.
    Heat return ventilation systems are problematic and have a 15-year 20-year shelf life.
    It's hard to retrofit homes with the required ventilation ductwork for such systems.
    Bite the bullet open a window.
    The flip side is if you have a bunch of people in a small room that room will heat up quite quickly almost asking for an open window.

  • @1A9lis
    @1A9lis Před 2 lety +1

    Bless you Roger absolutely right as usual , a very dear friend of mine is in the process of building a totally airtight house on the scale of a grand designs speck . But when you see the level of technology and infrastructure involved you know it’s beyond the norm , as to cost I think you know the answer . But for most people it’s not the way forward . We have in the past both been less than enthusiastic about air source and the like in the vast majority of homes . Yet governments seem totally committed to embrace it . We seem as a nation completely oblivious to the health and welfare of the people as long as we think and I emphasise the word think we are saving the planet Best wishes and kind regards to your good self. Ps not so sure about your singing , but ha they said that about Elves 🤣👍👍👍

    • @SkillBuilder
      @SkillBuilder  Před 2 lety

      Michael
      Thank you for the comment. I will work on the singing

  • @livingladolcevita7318
    @livingladolcevita7318 Před 2 lety +6

    what do you think about straw bale houses with lime render? good rant Roger. Hit the nail on the head again. I grew up in a house with just 1 fire single glazed windows etc like a lot of people. Did me no harm, we didn't get fat as we were using calories to keep warm

  • @vinnysurti
    @vinnysurti Před 2 lety +4

    Fantastic video 👌🏽 However I have a question, If I fart after I have a Christmas dinner will it linger until the evening if the house is airtight?

    • @SkillBuilder
      @SkillBuilder  Před 2 lety +6

      yes for sure, it may even be there the next morning

    • @vinnysurti
      @vinnysurti Před 2 lety

      @@SkillBuilder 😶‍🌫️😷🤧😮‍💨🤮😵‍💫

    • @goawakeneveryone4365
      @goawakeneveryone4365 Před 2 lety +1

      The house will blow up when you open the fridge door!

    • @nigel7277
      @nigel7277 Před 2 lety

      It'll be there for New Year

    • @jp6975
      @jp6975 Před 2 lety

      Reduce the aroma by eating lots of cabbage, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts with your turkey and stuffing.

  • @davideyres955
    @davideyres955 Před 2 lety +1

    We had an interesting one the other day. Got a phone call about loft insulation. Saying that the insulation that they fitted (Rockwool fibreglass) has been found to cause damp so they were offering a free damp and efficiency survey. They were now recommending spray foam insulation. Took me a while to figure out I was talking to a robot system. So now we’ll be paying on our energy bills to rip out what they fired and re fit new insulation. Would love to see Rodger’s rant on spray foam as I understand there can be major issues with it.
    Rodger, over to you mate.

    • @migsvensurfing6310
      @migsvensurfing6310 Před 2 lety

      Rockwool is stone not glass. Rockwool repells damp fiberglass sucks it in.
      Spray foam really really sucks moist and some brands are fire hazards. Not allowed to use where I live.

    • @davideyres955
      @davideyres955 Před 2 lety

      @@migsvensurfing6310 they were listing out the types of insulation that we could have had fitted.
      The problem is that where you have migration of moisture through building materials then with the reduction of temperature that’s moisture can condense leaving water on surfaces that really don’t want to be wet like wood joists etc. They also do a bad job of the insulation and block up the air flow under the eves.
      Thanks for the info on spray foam, I’ve seen horror stories about it off gassing and being a nightmare.

    • @safetyladysilver8988
      @safetyladysilver8988 Před 2 lety

      I have opted for open cell spray foam in my newly built "warm roof" loft. There is a lot to this subject, as ever, it is not simple. Do research, consider the building construction, envelope and type of roof (ventilated or warm), type of foam (open or closed cell), make-up of product (most now do not use off-gassing agents) and installer.
      Never take up any insulation offer from cold calling or marketing spiel.
      Building Control have no problem with it.

  • @twiglet2214
    @twiglet2214 Před 2 lety

    Always learn something when i watch Roger - thank you !

  • @Ultimate-roofing-square.
    @Ultimate-roofing-square. Před 2 lety +8

    Great singing voice Roger. I’ll call Simon and get you on the talent show. 😬

    • @burwoodbuild
      @burwoodbuild Před 2 lety +3

      What a great idea... 😳 Now where did I put my class 5 ear defenders?! 🎧

  • @Thespecialone1970
    @Thespecialone1970 Před 2 lety +4

    The airtight concept obviously doesn't work for the current housing stock. However, it has been proven the world over that it is overwhelming the way to go no questions asked for the future housing stock. All new homes should be required to be airtight, have energy efficient windows and a quality mechanical heat recovery system.

  • @alexscarbro796
    @alexscarbro796 Před 2 lety +2

    Great insights in this video. Thank you.
    How about a video on heat recovery systems like the Blauberg systems?

  • @wyvernlambi1892
    @wyvernlambi1892 Před 2 lety

    Love the rants. Keep them coming.

  • @240soundwave
    @240soundwave Před 2 lety +4

    'We all die some time or another, get over it' hahaha brilliant. Imagine hearing that from your doctor.

    • @grotekleum
      @grotekleum Před 2 lety

      Or worse still, your funeral director :)

    • @hannahjames3180
      @hannahjames3180 Před 2 lety

      @@grotekleum Or pay a psychic to just tell you...

    • @grotekleum
      @grotekleum Před 2 lety

      @@hannahjames3180 Can I pay with my phone?

    • @hannahjames3180
      @hannahjames3180 Před 2 lety

      @@grotekleum You can play with whatever you like.
      Just don't do it near me.

  • @simpleasliam657
    @simpleasliam657 Před 2 lety +5

    F**King hell Roger 🤣🤣 Best video I've seen in a long time haha nearly died drinking tea at this lol

  • @jakesaari7652
    @jakesaari7652 Před 2 lety

    Never heard of the the trickle vents. You make some great points here. I suppose most buildings could use better ventilation.

  • @kerollo5163
    @kerollo5163 Před 2 lety +1

    Your videos are fantastic. Is there a follow up with showing a specific case and the solution applied?