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Do you need to install trickle vents when replacing windows in an existing home?
Last Updated: 26 September 2025No. Building Regulations Approved Document F requires adequate background ventilation, but trickle vents are just one method of compliance. You can also use mechanical ventilation systems, like continuous extract fans or Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR), to meet the standard, provided they achieve the necessary airflow rates for your property’s size and occupancy. Understanding...
Why Trickle Vents Can Cause Condensation and Mould Growth
Last Updated: 26 September 2025Imagine a tiny window you’re supposed to leave open all the time to let fresh air in. That’s a trickle vent. They were designed to stop moisture building up in our homes, which causes damp and mould. But in reality, they often make the problem worse. Here’s why. 1. People Just Close Them This is...
How old was Ella Roberta Adoo Kissi Debrah when she died?
Last Updated: 26 September 2025Ella Roberta Adoo Kissi Debrah was nine years old when she tragically died on 15 February 2013. A subsequent inquest found that air pollution was a significant cause of her fatal asthma attack. Her case became a landmark in the UK, highlighting the severe impact of toxic air on children’s health. The Tragic Story of...
How does Ella’s Law differ from existing air quality regulations?
Last Updated: 26 September 2025Ella’s Law, formally the Clean Air (Human Rights) Bill, fundamentally differs from existing UK air quality regulations by establishing a universal human right to breathe clean air. It mandates legally binding targets to reduce particulate matter (PM2.5) to WHO guidelines by 2030, a more ambitious and health-focused timeline than the current Environment Act 2021, and...
What was the coroner’s ruling on Ella’s death?
Last Updated: 26 September 2025In a landmark legal first for the UK, Coroner Philip Barlow ruled in December 2020 that air pollution made a “material contribution” to the death of nine-year-old Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah. The official cause of death was recorded as acute respiratory failure, severe asthma, and exposure to excessive air pollution, specifically noting illegal levels of nitrogen dioxide...
When did Ella Roberta Adoo Kissi Debrah die?
Last Updated: 26 September 2025Ella Roberta Adoo Kissi Debrah, a nine-year-old girl from Lewisham, south-east London, died on 15 February 2013. Her tragic death was directly linked to acute respiratory failure, severe asthma, and exposure to excessive air pollution. This landmark case became the first in the UK to list air pollution as a cause of death on a...
What is the minimum ventilation rates needed for a bedroom?
Last Updated: 26 September 2025UK building regulations require bedrooms to receive a minimum continuous ventilation rate of 0.3 litres per second (l/s) per square metre of floor area, alongside whole-dwelling rates starting at 19 l/s for a one-bedroom home. Purge ventilation (e.g., openable windows) must also provide four air changes per hour. Understanding Bedroom Ventilation Requirements in the UK...
Should You Feel a Draught Through Trickle Vents?
Last Updated: 26 September 2025No, you should not feel a draught through trickle vents, however this is a common complaint. Trickle vents are designed to provide controlled ventilation without significant air movement that causes discomfort. If you experience draughts, it may indicate improper installation or excessive airflow, which can lead to issues like heat loss and discomfort in your...
Why We Don’t Recommend Trickle Vents for Your New Windows
Last Updated: 26 September 2025Trickle vents are often recommended for new windows in the UK due to their benefits in improving ventilation and reducing moisture buildup. However, they might not be suitable in certain situations due to issues such as noise pollution, energy efficiency concerns, and the potential for dust and pollutants entering the home. Understanding Trickle Vents Trickle...
What Causes Condensation?
Last Updated: 25 September 2025Condensation occurs when warm, moist air cools and transforms into liquid water. This process is particularly prevalent in the UK due to its cool and humid climate, leading to issues like damp and mould in homes. Key factors include temperature differences, humidity levels, building insulation, and human activities that generate moisture. Understanding Condensation Condensation is...