If you are going to be around Auckland between Wednesday 10th September and Sunday 14th September, then drop into the Home Show at the Green Lane Showgrounds. Be sure to see us in Pavillion 6, stand 631 and have a chat to us about SAYR ventilation, SAYR solar pool heating, LED downlights and heat pumps. We are more than happy to talk to you about maxiimising your homes healthy side and energy efficiency in other areas. If you cant make it, dont despair, we can visit you at your home, no obligations guaranteed, simply drop us an email or give us a call.

Children are at the heart of this giveaway as both Bruce and Mark’s families have directly experienced the health benefits of better quality air.

When air quality is compromised, toxic mould spores, bacteria, dust, pollutants and chemicals often thrive in the damp environment of the home, causing a host of ailments including allergies, fatigue, headaches, interrupted sleep, as well as triggering more severe respiratory diseases.

In fact, the air in many New Zealand homes can be up to 10 times more polluted than the outdoors, says Mark.

The SAYR Ventilation system improves heating efficiency in the home, creating a drier environment that is less prone to dust mites, mould and mildew.

Made in New Zealand, the system is equipped with a hospital-grade F7 filter which effectively traps pollens particularly rampant this time of year.

“We’ve seen the many health and positive effects on people’s lives and really just want to give back to the community by helping a family in need.”

Nominations close on October 8, 2014; the winning family will be selected and featured in the Times the following week.

To nominate a local Howick family, go to: http://www.times.co.nz/competitions/win-a-sayr-ventilation-system.html

This is a real time example of what goes on in your roof cavity in only a very short period of time. These are 2 photos of the SAYR controller taken on the same day only 2.5 hours apart in the middle of August. You can see how at 9am (example on left) the outside was a mere 12.5 degC, the temperature was already at 20.5 degC  in the roof yet it was 15.5 degC inside the house.

The example house is 3 bedroom, 150 sqm cedar and decra tile roof with 2 fans and 5 vents.

Look at the next photo on the right, same day and 2.5 hours later; the outside temp had risen 4 degC, the temp in the roof had risen over 10 degC and consequently the inside temp had risen nearly 5 degC to a comfortable 20 degC. As the afternoon wore on these temps would have risen further as typically for this time of year we would expect to see the Solar temp max out around 3pm. The bottom number (23) indicates the target temp or desired temp if there is solar energy available which can be chosen by the occupants.

This is a real demonstration indicating what actually does happen in a typical roof cavity even over the winter months. We stress, this excercise is not trying to promote these systems as heaters, they are moisture control systems however if you have vast amounts of 30+ degC air being blown into your home during the day time, what do you think the result is going to be? It is this high volume of warm dry air which is a contributing factor in keeping your home drier overall. 

We aim to have a time lapse version of this above over a 24 hour period, which will show the activity of the system over that period so watch this space.

New Zealand Herald Article June 2014.

The Ultimate Green Home:   Air

Your home can be transformed into a lean, mean machine, making its own power, collecting and storing water, producing no waste and, most importantly, keeping you healthy. Here’s how…

Greening your home can make it healthier, cheaper and more comfortable.

Air quality in New Zealand homes is generally poor, with high rates of asthma and respiratory conditions. Despite our temperate climate, the average indoor temperature is two degrees lower than the 18 degrees recommended by the World Health Organisation. The average human breathes 11,000 litres of air each day, with up to 90 per cent of that indoors.

Moisture

Humidity in the average insulated home is between 65 per cent - 80 per cent, with un-insulated homes over 75 per cent. A damp, cold home is the perfect breeding ground for black mould (stachybotrys), and a warm, moist home will harbour dust mites, which to survive must absorb water from the air.

Use of low VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints and varnishes:

Off-gassing occurs for most materials, and increases as the temperature does.

The most common gas is formaldehyde - a toxin incorporated into a huge number of products. Decreasing the levels of potentially toxic gases is best achieved by using natural materials - such as timber or wool - wherever possible.

Carpets can harbour dust mites and are often the cause of allergies. Wool carpets perform best, but carpet-free floors are best.

Avoid LOSP (light organic solvent based preservative) treated timber as it emits VOC's. Waterborne preservative treatments such as boron are the best option.

Ventilation and filter systems

Super-efficient to run, the systems that bring in fresh air, filter it and push it into your home also serve to drive out moisture and lower the humidity.

It's important to properly vent areas in which moisture are created - such as kitchens, laundry and bathrooms. In the kitchen and bathroom, an effective rangehood and ventilation system will suffice, and in the laundry be sure to vent a clothes dryer directly outside.

Auckland architect Tony Watkins argues that there is no place for a bathroom inside a house, but for most of us that isn't a reality, so extractor fans and open windows are very effective.

Rising damp

Moisture barriers under your home are recommended for homes whose floorboards sit less than half a metre from the ground, or are not well ventilated.

Gas heaters without a flue

These heaters are a recipe for a damp home - the by products of their combustion is water vapour, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. Replace with a healthy option. Gas cooking hobs should also be used with extraction systems as well as the above also applies.

For more information on making your home healthier, talk to SAYR today.

This time of the year, when autumn battles with winter for supremacy, condensation in the home is prevalent. Mother nature throws the odd curve ball at us and we are confused whether it is actually autumn or winter. Typically this is experienced as excess condensation forming on windows and in some cases walls or even furniture.

Why does this happen? You may have done everything out of the book and made your home as dry and warm as possible and upgraded the heating, insulation and ventilation, yet there are still days where the windows are misty, wet or even running! This is what we call in the industry a 'moisture spike'. It has come about from having warm days that are not yet wintry cold days, the outside daytime temperatures may still be 18 degrees plus, the air is laden with moisture which is commonly known as humidity, even the evenings are not that cold and could still be 14 degrees plus THEN overnight BAM we have a cold snap. All of a sudden that moisture laden air has no where to go as the warmer air cannot hold it, it drops out of the air onto any cold surface that will have it, typically this forms on glass as condensation. You may experience this once or twice over the month of May, you may experience this 1,2 or three days in a row and notice that it will get better as each day passes. This is happening as the daytime air gets cooler and the night time air gets cooler we then start experiencing a lower outside air humidity. Our home will then return to normal.

This is a common experience for many home owners at this time of the year. This can affect homes with good insulation, good heating and good ventilation systems regardless of brand. It does affect some houses differently to others depending on the particular designs, build and the habits of the occupants. Some may experience this moisture spike on a day when others dont and visa versa, some may experience it worse than others and some may not experience anything at all. No system can 100% prevent this from happening, it is mother nature showing her power and dominance.You can be rest assured that it will only be for a short time during the change in season and for those with good ventilation systems, it will clear quickly. 

The best way to handle this situation is firstly not to panic and think that something is wrong, it is common and is normal. In the case of ventilation check the settings, check that the settings are not still turned down low for summer. The warmer you make your home will lessen this effect.

Welcome to winter.

Hi Marise, 

Thanks again for all your help. Am so glad we chose SAYR over ***. Installation was easy and hassle free and the personal service is awesome.  *** were awful to deal with so that's why we chose SAYR. So please pass on my comments to your team. We are thoroughly happy.

Regards and best wishes, Carly. Hamilton.

We are fast approaching that cold, damp time of the year which produces a lot 
of mold, stale damp smells and 
condensation in your home.

"Why do our homes get wet, damp and moldy, we look after our house, keep it well maintained and have expert advise yet still have issues". This is a question many people ask themselves this time of the year and when you understand what actually happens, it actually makes sense.

To keep the explanation as short ans as simple as possible it can be summed up like this. We all produce moisture by many means, basically cooking, showering, cleaning and breathing. We can introduce up to 30 liters per day dependent on the family size, liken it to tipping 3 x 10 liter buckets of water throughout your home every day. What happens to that water? In summer most is gone through evaporation from wind and heat due to doors and windows being opened on a regular basis. In winter, we keep the home locked up tight, 'modern homes are even more air tight' so where does that water go, it doesn't magically disappear, it is absorbed into your home, furnishings, clothing, bedding, carpets and as the years pass, into the physical structure of the house. This moisture is constantly being 'mobilised' due to heating and cooling within the home both mechanically and naturally hence everything having a damp or wet feel, very high humidity within the home and consequently feeding mold, bacteria and general sickness such as coughs and colds, asthma and respiratory illness. If this moisture can be dealt with as it is caused, it makes for a more healthier, cleaner,drier and warmer home. To find out how to deal with it as it is caused, have a read of our '20 good pointers' which will help control moisture within the home.

Simply click on this link to take you directly to the page.