Guide to smart ventilation and data capture in the home

With the rapid evolution of technology, smart devices have become a regular feature in most households. As new systems and devices flood the market, it’s easy to integrate them into a property, but harder to identify the products that will have a meaningful impact on energy efficiency and air quality. When used effectively, smart ventilation and data capture can help property managers and contractors to improve the air quality and living conditions in their homes. Read on to find out more about smart technology and ventilation, and to discover which systems are right for you.

What is smart technology and smart ventilation?

Smart ventilation uses sensors and automation to improve airflow in buildings, ensuring a healthy and comfortable indoor environment. It adjusts ventilation based on factors like air quality and temperature, reducing energy waste while improving air circulation. In development projects, smart ventilation can be integrated into new builds or retrofitted into existing structures to enhance energy efficiency and indoor air quality. It is part of a broader trend of smart energy systems, which also includes smart lighting, heating, and cooling systems. These technologies help buildings operate more efficiently, reducing their energy consumption and their environmental impact.

Smart ventilation and energy efficiency

Smart technology improves energy efficiency by adjusting energy usage in real time, reducing waste and lowering overall consumption. Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) systems optimise airflow while capturing and reusing heat from outgoing air. This process helps maintain indoor comfort, reduces heating costs, and boosts overall energy efficiency. By integrating these systems into buildings, energy use is minimised, and environmental impact is reduced, ensuring more sustainable and cost-effective operations.

Smart ventilation systems and data capture

As more developers lean on smart technology to improve the energy efficiency of their properties, it’s important to understand how these systems work. Smart ventilation systems capture data through sensors that monitor indoor air quality, temperature, and humidity. This data is processed to adjust ventilation in real time. By continuously tracking and analysing these factors, these systems can fine-tune operations for maximum efficiency, reducing unnecessary heating or cooling. The data collected can also highlight areas of inefficiency so that landlords and property managers can make further adjustments and improvements. This ultimately leads to lower energy costs and more sustainable, comfortable indoor environments.

What are the benefits of smart ventilation systems?

Smart ventilation systems offer several benefits that enhance both efficiency and sustainability. These include:

Real-time monitoring: Smart systems continuously track air quality, temperature, and occupancy, ensuring optimal airflow.
Remote controlled: Remotely controlled, smart ventilation systems allow for easy adjustments from any location.
Energy savings: By automatically adjusting ventilation based on current conditions, smart systems reduce unnecessary energy consumption, leading to significant energy savings.
Reduced Co2: Smart ventilation systems lower CO2 levels by ensuring proper ventilation while minimising energy waste.

This combination of real-time data, remote control, and automatic adjustments results in a healthier, more energy efficient indoor environment, reducing energy costs for tenants and property owners alike.

The future of smart ventilation

Technology is advancing, and there are further developments on the horizon that use smart ventilation for even more precise adjustments based on user preferences and environmental conditions. Plus, further benefits with data capture to allow monitoring and a deeper understanding for landlords on everything from energy usage, informing if there is a breakdown, when maintenance is required or airflow quality.

Innovative technology as a response to changing building and development legislation continues to drive emerging trends in the smart ventilation space. Changes to building regulations, including the June 2024 update to Part L, push for higher energy efficiency in buildings. This also paves the way for more properties to meet the Future Homes and Building Standards (2025), which aim to make homes net-zero ready.

A proactive approach to smart ventilation is the best way for landlords, contractors and developers to future-proof properties for these evolving standards. As a result of these trends, landlords and contractors investing in smart ventilation now will see a significant return on investment. If you choose to implement smart ventilation in your properties, not only will you meet stricter regulations, but you’ll also reduce long-term energy costs and improve the living conditions in your buildings.

How Airflow can help

Airflow can help you to embrace the innovation of smart ventilation with products that utilise data capture. With iCONsmart technology, data capture can automatically calculate and adjust the air flow in your properties. You can also explore the Adroit range and leverage fully-automatic control systems to maximise air flow and quality by smartphone, tablet or PC. Provide essential ventilation with the smart DV51 (R) Adroit with integral CO2 sensor, offering cost-effective, intelligent heat recovery.

To create future-proof homes and properties that embrace smart-tech innovations, explore the iCONsmart range today. Or, if you’re unsure about which solutions are right for your developments, contact us today to speak with our expert team.