Elta Fans Ltd - Experts & Thought Leaders

As the colder months approach, HVAC tradespeople are being called upon to be proactive in tackling condensation, dampness, and mold in rental properties. The callout comes from Elta, the UK’s pioneering air movement and air quality specialist, and follows on from the recently proposed introduction of Awaab’s Law to the private rental sector (PRS) through the Renters’ Rights Bill that was brought before Parliament recently. With more than 5.8 million homes in the UK experiencing condensation-related issues, there is an increased role to play for ventilation specialists in ensuring legal compliance and maintaining healthy indoor air quality. Right ventilation solutions HVAC professionals will be key to ensuring these homes meet the new standards Awaab’s Law — named after Awaab Ishak, a two-year-old boy who died from mold exposure in his poorly ventilated home — will see new responsibilities on social landlords to remedy damp and mold issues within strict timelines. As this law extends to private rentals, HVAC professionals will be key to ensuring these homes meet the new standards and must be equipped with the right ventilation solutions to meet growing demand and tighter deadlines under Awaab’s Law. Four key tips of Elta To help ventilation installers, Elta offers four key tips in preparation for the upcoming condensation season: Upgrade and optimize ventilation systems: HVAC professionals should assess existing ventilation setups and recommend upgrades where necessary. Continuous mechanical extract ventilation (MEV) and decentralized MEV (dMEV) systems, as part of a ventilation strategy, are proven solutions to help control indoor moisture levels year-round. Both provide continuous airflow, preventing the buildup of condensation that often goes unchecked in poorly ventilated properties. Ensure compliance with Awaab’s Law and building regulations: Awaab’s Law demands fast response times and proper remediation of mold-related hazards. Being familiar with the latest Building Regulations and Approved Document F, which outlines ventilation requirements – means ventilation professionals can ensure installations comply and strengthen their relationships with landlords. Prepare for high demand and supply chain pressures: Due to the fast-approaching winter season and the introduction of Awaab’s Law to the private rented sector, demand for high-quality ventilation equipment is expected to rise. To ensure they have access to a reliable supply of fans, extractors, and PIV units to meet the surge in demand, ventilation professionals should familiarize themselves now with the latest products and their applications, and where to source them from. To help installers, they can head to the Elta Trade website, where they will find a range of Elta’s products suitable for ventilating residential and commercial properties, as well as a list of stockists. Offer landlords expert advice: HVAC professionals are in a strong position to advise landlords on the best solutions for preventing condensation and ensuring tenant health. By discussing modern ventilation systems and the benefits of continuous ventilation solutions with landlords, ventilation professionals can help them avoid costly legal actions and reduce the risk of dampness and mold. Effective ventilation solutions David Millward, Product Manager at Elta Group, said: “Autumn and winter is the perfect time of year for those in the HVAC industry to become trusted advisors to their landlord clients. Awaab’s Law and the Renters’ Rights Bill is a major shift for the social housing and private rented sector, and HVAC contractors can help ensure compliance, improve indoor air quality, and enhance tenant wellbeing." “The extension of Awaab’s Law places ventilation professionals at the heart of ensuring tenant safety and regulatory compliance. We’re encouraging all HVAC tradespeople to prepare for this by understanding the new requirements and offering landlords effective ventilation solutions.”

For over 25 years, Elta Group has been growing as an international group of air movement businesses – all to enhance the lives of people, animals, buildings, and equipment.  As an international group of businesses, their values have remained consistent since the beginning.  Making It Happen ‘Making It Happen’ has always been a core value of Elta Group, ensuring that as markets change and technologies evolve, they never lose their focus. This, along with other values, has led the group to where they are, still evolving and making things happen across the globe. The most recent venture is the acquisition of Air Movement Supplies in Ireland.  distribution network expansion The investment brings another manufacturing facility to the group, located in Dublin, providing the opportunity With AMS joining Elta Group, the group is set to significantly increase its distribution network across the Republic of Ireland, allowing it to better serve customers, strengthen its product range, and boost production capabilities.  The investment brings another manufacturing facility to the group, located in Dublin, providing the opportunity to enhance production and penetrate new and existing markets.  enhanced value and innovation In announcing the acquisition, Elta Group has assured the market that experienced industry pioneers David Kelly and John Grainger will continue to lead AMS as they have done for many years. Their expertise, dedication, and strong leadership have been pivotal to the success of AMS and will help lead the new relationship between Elta Ireland and AMS.  air movement and air quality Mark Russell, Managing Director at Elta Ireland, has said, "We are committed to maintaining the excellence you have come to expect from Elta Ireland while integrating the strengths of AMS." He adds, "This acquisition represents a unique opportunity for growth, allowing us to deliver enhanced value and innovation to our customers, alongside a brand that aligns with our values and commitment to air movement and air quality."  growth and greater collaboration CEO of Elta Group, Mark Rickard, also commented, "I do not doubt understanding the culture of AMS and its approach through focusing on the customer, as a Group, we can also learn, as well as add value to their capabilities." Mark Rickard adds, "This acquisition represents a unique opportunity for growth and greater collaboration with AMS, a brand that aligns with our values and commitment to air movement and air quality. We are enthusiastic about the future and the possibilities that this acquisition brings, not only in Ireland but further afield."

With net zero and energy efficiency high on the agenda for commercial kitchen operators, Elta, a pioneering manufacturer of fans and ventilation equipment, has launched its latest range of Qube inline ducted box fans. The new EC versions are energy efficient and suitable for high-temperature commercial kitchen ventilation applications, as well as for general ambient temperature building ventilation. The upgraded models of the Qube, which are available in AC as well as EC, are Elta’s most popular set of centrifugal box fans and come with significant design enhancements that make them easier to install and maintain. The new EC variants offer better energy efficiency and performance, as well as control and integration into building management systems. Lumina Intelligence’s Operator Data Index The UK restaurant market reached a valuation of £18.6bn in 2023, with a 4.4% growth rate Elta’s launch coincides with restaurant brands and hotels looking at making their facilities and kitchens more eco-friendly, an example being the £500,000 sustainability-focused refurb at the Llandudno’s Esplanade Hotel. Meanwhile, the restaurant market is showcasing signs of resilience against the widely expected post-pandemic downturn, and new ventures and smaller venues are being planned by big restaurant chains. According to Lumina Intelligence’s Operator Data Index, the UK restaurant market reached a valuation of £18.6bn in 2023, with a 4.4% growth rate in the same period. Qube centrifugal box fans  David Millward, Group Product Manager at Elta Group, parent company of Elta, said: “We’ve been listening to feedback from our customers and also looking closely into the hospitality and restaurant market, and can see that there is a gap for high-quality, long-lasting, energy-efficient ventilation equipment in the commercial kitchen space." “That’s why we’ve honed the design and features of our already well-received Qube centrifugal box fans. Our newest models are designed to meet the needs of specifiers and contractors working on designing and fitting new commercial kitchens, able to fit into ever-tighter footprints while still being able to offer the high extraction and performance expected from our fans.” Key feature of the new Qube range Key feature of the new Qube range is that they now have redesigned links to join the fans The Qube fans are suitable for extracting air up to 120°C in temperature. They come in various box sizes of 500, 670, 820, and 1,020 mm. The fan’s box panels are double-skinned with an infill to reduce noise transfer, and the panels are interchangeable to support quicker, simpler installation and to access the fan components inside for maintenance. The units as a whole are lighter and balanced to also help contractors with carrying and fitting the fans. A key feature of the new Qube range is that they now have redesigned connections to connect the fans to other ventilation ancillaries, such as bolt-on filter boxes, making them more adaptable and flexible. Meanwhile, all the fan’s components are now enclosed within the box, whereas previous models of the Qube had the fan motor outside of the box. This further helps with space and kitchen configurations where space might be limited. New gas interlock systems The Qube fans can also be used in general buildings and ventilation extraction Elta has also introduced new gas interlock systems alongside the Qube. Gas interlock systems provide a failsafe by limiting the gas flow to appliances until the ventilation system is on, and is a mandatory requirement in commercial kitchens. Besides being ideal solutions for commercial kitchens, the Qube fans can also be used in general buildings and ventilation extraction, such as in offices, schools, and industrial buildings. Customize the Qube fans David said: “We know everybody is paying a much closer eye to reducing energy usage in a bid to be more sustainable and lower their operational expenses. Our EC versions of our Qube fans help with this objective, allowing operators to commission the fans so they move and extract air efficiently." “Besides our standard versions, being a UK manufacturer with our various plants and factories across the country, we are well positioned to provide a quick turnaround on our fans, and for those specifying ventilation systems for kitchens, we provide everything under one roof to simplify the purchasing process. We can also customize the Qube fans, ancillaries, and controls to suit bespoke needs. Simply talk to us and we can come up with a solution to fit the project.”

Ventilation systems have never been more important as we battle against an ever-evolving pandemic, and crucially, they must be installed correctly to deliver good indoor air quality for years to come. David Millward, Group Product Manager at Elta Group, explains the practical considerations needed for contractors in charge of installing them. Good indoor air quality (IAQ) With a pandemic that has been raging for going on two years, there has never been a time where good indoor air quality (IAQ) has been more in focus. Particularly in public spaces such as offices, shopping centers, schools, and a whole range of other buildings, improving IAQ is now a must, and not a ‘nice-to-have’. There are key installation factors that can make a substantial impact on system performance To deliver this, ventilation contractors will have a critical role to play. There must first be a good understanding of what good IAQ is. As well as that, there are key installation factors that can make a substantial impact on system performance.  What is a ‘breath of fresh air’? Much focus surrounding IAQ has been on the introduction of ‘fresh air’. Here though is where there must be a better definition and awareness of what ‘fresh air’ is. Everyone involved in the ventilation supply chain needs to know this, from manufacturers and government to contractors and even the general public. Currently, there is a common misinterpretation that ‘fresh air’ is simply air that is brought in from outside. However, in certain environments like urbanized areas, quite often this air that is brought into the building can contain high levels of pollutants. To help clarify what good IAQ is, there have been changes to Parts L and F of the Building Regulations. These changes seek to provide a more concrete definition and promote more monitoring of air quality in buildings. It is highly recommended that contractors stay abreast of evolving legislation as this is likely to impact the systems that they install in the future. Don’t overlook the noise Isolating the fan from the structure and the duct can greatly minimize structure-borne noise Delivering a comfortable internal environment goes beyond just air quality, and here contractors can add a lot of value to their work. For example, one factor of ventilation installation that is regularly forgotten about is noise. By the time it is noticed however, it is typically too late to rectify without incurring significant cost and disruption. Noisy ventilation can be easily remedied though. For duct-borne noise, this can be reduced by using attenuators (which is also useful for air-borne sound) or using lined fans and duct lining. Meanwhile, isolating the fan from the structure and the duct can greatly minimize structure-borne noise. In quieter locations, such as restaurants or libraries, lowering a fan’s noise output can be particularly important to the overall setting. Vibration control Vibration control is equally important, as this contributes to noise and impacts user comfort. Inevitably, fans will vibrate, and this can reverberate through the structure it is mounted to. Vibration isolators are an easy solution to this issue and should be selected to offer the minimum deflection required. When selecting vibration isolators, care should be taken to ensure they are suitable for the fan and the environment where the fan is operating. Flexible duct connectors are also available to aid in the reduction of both noise and vibration. These are just a few of the many options available to contractors, with a more comprehensive list detailed in Elta Fans’ Give a Fan a Chance guide. Talking of flexible ducts, if improperly designed, these can severely impact the ventilation system’s performance. Ducting Talking of flexible ducts, if improperly designed, these can severely impact the ventilation system’s performance. The reason is flexible ducting can introduce resistance, which means a much higher pressure and power output is needed to reach the desired performance. A common scenario is when a lot of unnecessary flexible ducting is installed in a roof space. This tends to happen when installers purchase 10m of the product when realistically only 3.5m is required. However, instead of cutting the ducting to size, the entire length of the product is installed in a snake shape that places additional pressure on the fan. Ultimately when this happens, airflow is reduced, and there’s an increased risk of poor ventilation. Consequently, contaminants, particles, viruses, and airborne diseases linger in the air. Ideally, rigid ducting should be used wherever possible, with flexible ducting only used for final connections. It is also best practice to ensure all ductwork is taut. Partnering up Now more than ever, knowledge of how to deliver good IAQ is a vital skill. Ventilation contractors are at the forefront of constructing healthy buildings and combatting COVID-19. That said when it comes to keeping up with the latest developments and the most effective ways to install products, having a good partner can be the differentiator.

For schools, improving indoor air quality (IAQ) is a basic function of HVAC systems, which also ensures a high comfort level for students, teachers and staff. Schools can be a lucrative market for HVAC systems, but there are challenges, such as long sales cycles and the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the challenges for HVAC in serving the education/schools market?

One of the consequences of the challenging last 18 months has been a noticeable increase in the attention given to indoor air quality (IAQ). This has been the case throughout the ventilation supply chain, from government and industry bodies, all the way through to facilities managers, contractors, and even consumers. But what do we mean by ‘good IAQ’, and how do we achieve it in our buildings? Alan Macklin, Technical Director at Elta Group, and Chairman of the Fan Manufacturer’s Association explains. Despite the difficulties of the past year and a half, the renewed focus on the quality of indoor air can be seen as something of a silver lining. It is an important step forwards, and one which we must as an industry maintain momentum if we are to deliver tangible improvements. In spite of this positive growth in awareness of IAQ, certain obstacles remain which could prevent progress. We need to establish a clear definition of what we mean by ‘fresh air’, moving away from the vagueness that is currently inherent within building regulations. Once this is achieved, there needs to be a greater understanding of the solutions that are available to deliver high-quality air into buildings. What is good IAQ? In layman’s terms, good IAQ is often linked with ‘fresh air’. However, this term is problematic, because all-too-often ‘fresh’ is simply understood as ‘outside’. This fails to take into account the issues of outdoor pollution, which can be of particular concern in urban locations. Consider, for example, a multiple-storey office that opens its windows to allow ‘fresh’ air to circulate into the building. The likelihood is that the air flowing through the window contains a higher volume of CO2, amongst other pollutants, than the air already inside the building. If we are approaching the subject of IAQ from the perspective of minimising particulates in the atmosphere, then this rudimentary definition of ‘fresh air’ does not go far enough to adequately protect building occupants. Building Regulations hint at a change in emphasis towards air quality, with some specific guidance on monitoring IAQ in offices. It is also true that most assessments of IAQ focus solely on CO2 levels, but this is just one of several pollutants that it is important to ventilate out of spaces. It serves as a useful proxy for how high the quality of air is, but sophisticated monitoring will enable a thorough and more nuanced approach. Finding a singular legal definition of ‘fresh air’ is challenging, such is the range of information and factors at play. Consultation documents for Parts L and F of the Building Regulations hint at a change in emphasis towards air quality, with some specific guidance on monitoring IAQ in offices. For example, there should be the means within ventilation systems to measure CO2 and other air quality indicators, which helps to ensure that the ‘fresh’ air being brought in from outside is suitably healthy.  Delivering high-quality air Although the definition of ‘fresh air’ is currently lacking clarity, contractors should still ensure compliance by working towards minimum ventilation rates. It is also critical to be aware that wider factors such as thermal comfort are considered. One of the issues with increasing flow rates, for example, is that it can result in a higher volume of cooler air being brought into the room. It highlights the delicate balancing act between providing sufficiently high IAQ while maintaining ambient temperature and keeping energy costs to a minimum.  This is where demand-controlled ventilation (DCV) has a significant role to play. It facilitates the adjustment (whether that’s automatic or manual) of ventilation rates according to what is required. This ensures that air circulation can be adapted to meet a change in occupancy levels or alterations to the internal layout of a room, thus keeping IAQ sufficiently high but in a precise, targeted way that won’t incur unnecessarily high energy bills. With demand control, a value is set at an initial required duty, but because it is speed controlled and monitored, the airflow can be adjusted automatically depending on condition, adjusting airflow and energy use. Specification typically allows for 20% more airflow and 10% more pressure than the selected ventilation rates, however, this is predominantly to cover miscalculations in system design, and often removed during the tender process to lower equipment cost. We have to move away from this approach, and including this increase above the minimum design requirement will provide assurance if the needs of the building change. Systems designed for future legislation DCV is a flexible approach that can help to increase the lifespan of a system. If regulations tighten and the requirement to deliver even ‘fresher’ air dictates a higher ventilation rate, this is achievable provided the system was originally installed with additional capacity. Although the definition of ‘fresh air’ is currently lacking clarity, contractors should still ensure compliance by working towards minimum ventilation rates. Take energy legislation for example, which controls most elements of the modern-day built environment. With legislative limitations placed on the amount of electricity a ventilation system can consume while operating, a common mistake made when selecting fans is to ignore the additional energy losses – surplus to specific fan power (SFP) – associated with speed controls. These can be significant and should be added to the power consumed by the fan to accurately calculate a ventilation system’s SFP. DCV enables systems to either increase or decrease their output depending on the situation, whether that’s working up to meet compliance, or down to minimise energy costs e.g., in the face of an empty room. This becomes even more crucial with the inclusion in the draft revision of the Building Regulations, which stipulates that systems should have the means to increase their performance by 50%. Lasting change The current climate serves as a watershed moment for indoor air quality and, as an industry, we have to seize the opportunity. As public spaces start to reopen, there is a genuine and urgent need to prioritise IAQ as a fundamental indicator of building health and safety. Establishing a clear definition of how we define good air quality, and then installing systems that are suitable both now and into the future, will go a long way to determining our success.