Nobody wakes up one day and says, "I need extra ventilation", without good reason. Ventilation systems are usually ordered to solve a problem, or to prevent a problem before it occurs. We can fix condensation throughout a property, poor ventilation and removing bad smells in kitchens and w/cs - we can't fix water ingress, leaks or rising damp with ventilation alone.

In a nutshell, we will recommend and install a system we have a warm fuzzy feeling will put a real noticeable dent in the sort of symptoms you're currently experiencing. The sorts of ventilation systems we fit certainly aren't cheap, but they do produce the results, as many of our past clients have come to find out!

Yes, by defeating the root cause ie condensation in a property, we'll be stopping the consistent moisture buildup that allows black mould to grow in places like on tiles, in tile grout, on silicone, on external walls, on windows, window surrounds and ceilings. To see if we can help, get in touch.

Condensation is the 'wet' surfaces you'll find in your property, normally on cold surfaces such as windows, walls and ceiling. This is caused by moisture-laden air floating around your property touching these cold surfaces, and being relieved of the moisture content in the process known as condensing.

A PIV fan is a general-ventilation system that often sits in the loft, with a vent on your landing. A PIV pushes fresh air into the property, which forces the moisture laden air out of the property, before it gets the chance to absorb more moisture and condense on a cold surface, such as a window or external wall. In layman's terms, Positive Input Ventilation is achieved when you push fresh air from outside the property, into the property.

Our favourite extractor systems tend to live up in the loft, so really the only part of the entire ventilation system you see is a pretty looking chrome (or white) cover on the ceiling.

The total parts and labour cost for replacing an existing bathroom extractor fan averages £120-£200 in the UK. DIY installation cuts this down to just £80-£150 for the fan itself and any electrical fittings or building supplies. Although at this sort of price, we wouldn't expect the fan to be up to the job!

To upgrade your extractor fan to something more substantial or to install an extractor fan system from fresh, you could be looking at between £400-900. In general, you do get what you pay for and we're fortunate enough to have become extractor fan installation specialists, for standard kitchen and bathroom settings, in both residential and commercial properties in the Medway & Maidstone region.

Ideally, yes - it allows for shortest, most direct ducting path outdoors (which is what we like!). But fans can be installed on any bathroom walls and ducted to ceiling vents or soffit vents. Extension ducting simply starts to reduce airflow. Our inline fan systems make up for this with brute strength and can be installed in various ways and yet still maintain great performance.

Strictly speaking, anyone potentially could fit an extractor fan themselves. That doesn't mean to say that potentially anyone should! We can unfortunately say that a fair chunk of in-line fans aren't installed particularly well (genuinely around 80% that we come across aren't great), which leads to poor performance, the fan unit suffering, even sometimes being immersed in fish bowls of water for long periods of time, and of course, water coming back down through your ceiling vent. A competent person will be able to install an extractor fan, which we would define as a contractor who's operatives regularly work on residential ventilation projects, such as extractor fans and PIVs, on a daily basis. Which is why we recommend you consulting a ventilation / residential HVAC specialist to carry out a PIV install. Which is why our clients just end up going for the low risk option and contracting us in to carry out the project.

Replacing an existing extractor fan is often simpler than new installations. Using the old mount, wiring, switch, and duct setup makes it an easier DIY project if you understand basic electrical connections and safety. Again, there can be nuances and rules and regulations surrounding working on electrics, especially in the bathroom, which is why our clients just end up going for the low risk option and contracting us in to carry out the project.

In concept they can be very straightforward. But physically installing new ducting in a professional manner, cutting holes through ceilings and walls, running wiring, and mounting the unit can take some work. Having the right tools and skills makes getting it right much easier, which is why our clients just end up going for the low risk option and contracting us in to carry out the project.

Extractor fans and ventilation services do start to broach into multiple disciplines, much like hot water and heating controls. And while it's always best to have a registered electrician install any fixed electrical equipment., HVAC engineers and possibly heating engineers, as well as skilled DIYers could replace or install new extractor fans themselves, but there are many rules and regulations to navigate, as well as having having the correct kit and sundries that an electrician who specialises in extractor fan installation will be geared up to this sort of work will have on hand. Read further about why our clients simply choose to use an NICEIC electrician.

In recent years, part F has started becoming more and more prevalent - and your local building control authority is likely to want to be in receipt of a ventilation certificate and building control notification when an extractor fan is installed.

Aside from that, if you rent, check with your landlord. For homeowners, planning permission generally isn't needed to add an internal extractor fan. However, external wall vents, especially on leasehold properties, may require approval from the freeholder and/or building control.