Ventilation Measures
As per the latest regulations set by Ofgem under the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) and Energy Company Obligation (ECO4), ventilation is now a mandatory requirement when installing any primary insulation measures such as Loft Insulation or Cavity Wall Insulation. This regulation ensures that while your home becomes more energy efficient, it also remains safe, healthy, and properly ventilated.
At Simple Green Energy, we fully comply with Ofgem’s updated guidance. Every qualifying insulation installation will now include appropriate ventilation solutions to meet the mandatory standards.
A Mandatory Measure Under the GBIS and ECO4 Scheme
As per the latest regulations set by Ofgem under the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) and Energy Company Obligation (ECO4), ventilation is now a mandatory requirement when installing any primary insulation measures such as Loft Insulation, Cavity Wall Insulation, or any fabric measures. This regulation ensures that while your home becomes more energy efficient, it also remains safe, healthy, and properly ventilated.
At Simple Green Energy, we fully comply with Ofgem’s updated guidance. Every qualifying insulation installation will now include appropriate ventilation solutions to meet the mandatory standards.
Protect Your Home from Damp and Mould
Proper ventilation is essential for maintaining a healthy, comfortable, and energy-efficient home. When insulation measures such as loft insulation or cavity wall insulation are installed, they significantly reduce heat loss and improve thermal performance. However, these upgrades also seal the property more tightly, which can limit natural airflow. Without sufficient ventilation, warm, moist air becomes trapped inside the home, particularly in areas like bathrooms, kitchens, and loft spaces.
This trapped moisture can quickly lead to condensation forming on walls, windows, and ceilings. Over time, condensation creates a perfect environment for mould growth and damp patches, which not only damage your property but also pose serious health risks, especially for individuals with respiratory conditions, allergies, or weakened immune systems.
Damp and mould can affect plasterwork, timber, and internal finishes, resulting in costly repairs and ongoing maintenance. In severe cases, it can also lead to structural damage.
Installing ventilation ensures that stale, humid air is regularly replaced with fresh air, helping to regulate indoor humidity levels and maintain air quality. This helps to prevent condensation before it starts, reducing the risk of mould, mildew, and damp.
Whether you’re upgrading your insulation through the GBIS scheme or simply making your home more energy efficient, ventilation is a vital component that complements insulation, creating a balanced, breathable, and healthier indoor environment.
Types of Ventilations
Trickle Vents
Trickle vents are small, discreet openings built into the frames of windows or doors. They allow a constant, controlled flow of fresh air into the home, without the need to open windows fully. This helps maintain ventilation even when rooms are unoccupied or during colder months when windows are typically kept shut.
Key Benefits of Trickle Vents:
Continuous Background Ventilation – Keeps air circulating throughout the day, reducing the risk of condensation and musty smells.
Energy Efficient – Designed to support insulation by improving air quality without significantly affecting indoor temperatures or energy loss.
Discreet and Low Maintenance – Slim, adjustable designs that blend into window frames and require minimal upkeep.
No Noise or Electricity Required – Operates passively, making it ideal for bedrooms, living rooms, and any other habitable areas.
Trickle vents are especially useful in modern airtight homes and properties that have undergone extensive insulation measures, where natural airflow is reduced.
Extract Fans
Extract fans (also known as extractor fans) are powered ventilation units installed in high-moisture areas like bathrooms and kitchens. These fans work by pulling moist, stale, or polluted air out of a room and venting it outside the property. They are particularly effective in removing steam, cooking fumes, and odours.
Key Benefits of Extract Fans:
Moisture Control – Quickly removes steam and humidity generated by showers, baths, and cooking to prevent condensation and damp.
Improved Air Quality – Helps eliminate airborne pollutants, odours, and allergens.
On-Demand Ventilation – Can be fitted with timers, humidity sensors, or manual switches to activate when needed.
Essential for Compliance – Required by Ofgem in areas like bathrooms and kitchens as part of the GBIS-approved ventilation standard.
Extract fans are vital in rooms with poor natural ventilation or where high levels of moisture are routinely produced.
Simply SilentTM 100mm Contour Fan
Smart Humidity Control
The C4HTSR model auto-activates when humidity rises rapidly, preventing mould and damp efficiently.Adjustable Overrun Timer
Runs for 30 seconds to 30 minutes after switch-off to clear residual moisture and improve air quality.Two-Speed Extraction
Selectable airflow settings ensure optimal performance for different room sizes and needs.Built-in Backdraught Shutter
Prevents cold air and pollutants from re-entering, improving energy efficiency and comfort.Quiet Operation
Designed for low noise levels, ideal for residential bathrooms, kitchens, and living spaces.
SWIP Air Flo Trickle Vent
- High Ventilation Efficiency
Provides an equivalent area of 2,030mm², meeting BS EN 13141-1:2019 and PAS2035 standards with just two vents per habitable room. - Controllable Airflow Option
Offers both fixed and controllable airflow, supporting user-adjustable ventilation while ensuring compliance with Part F building regulations. - Water Ingress Protection
Engineered with strategic drainage paths, it eliminates risk of water ingress—even in extreme weather conditions—without compromising ventilation. - Noise-Minimising Design
No casing drilling required during installation, which significantly reduces noise pollution compared to other vent types. - Durability & Easy Installation
Made from high-quality HDPE, with a 25+ year life expectancy, it installs quickly with a simple 3-screw process—ideal for volume housing projects and conservation areas.
Example of Ventilation Requirement
