PIV positive air pressure systems for dust management

ThorOdinson

Anyone tried a PIV (positive air pressure) system for reducing dust? We don't get condensation, but we live next to a main road and the dust is quite bad.

We have cavity wall insulation and double glazing. We have a couple of extractor fans that were installed with the insulation. So air is coming in other ways, uncontrolled and unfiltered. I was hoping that a PIV system could filter the dust and ensure that the filtered air was all that was coming on.

Anyone tried it?

chris_n

On a much larger scale yes, I used to be a facilities engineer in an electronics factory. We didn't need clean room conditions but did need the atmosphere much cleaner than was normal. We had a large system with lots of filters and pressure monitoring to control the fan speed. It worked well. You wouldn't need to have variable speed but would want to maintain positive pressure most of the time.

tacpot12

Similar to chris_n, I've seen it used in industry. I saw it used by asbestos removal contractors. They pressurise any room where they don't want asbestos dust to migrate to, if it actually becomes airborne during removal. 

Green_hopeful

I think there has been research on using hedges to reduce particulates from traffic. There is quite a bit on google. 

rob7475

I don't think PIV will reduce dust if you use it the way it's designed to be used. It draws in air from the outside via your loft space, this incoming air is filtered before being pushed into the home. 

PIV doesn't draw in air already in the home to be filtered so wouldn't help with dust already in the air inside the house that has come in via windows, doors, cracks etc.

I'd suggest an air purifier would be more suited to your needs as that will draw in air from within the home and filter it.

ThorOdinson

rob7475 said:

I don't think PIV will reduce dust if you use it the way it's designed to be used. It draws in air from the outside via your loft space, this incoming air is filtered before being pushed into the home. 

PIV doesn't draw in air already in the home to be filtered so wouldn't help with dust already in the air inside the house that has come in via windows, doors, cracks etc.

I'd suggest an air purifier would be more suited to your needs as that will draw in air from within the home and filter it.

I do have an air purifier, but it's a constant battle against particles coming in, and they are expensive and noisy. You can make cheap ones out of box fans, but they don't sell suitable ones in the UK. Positive pressure seems like a better solution.

ThorOdinson

Green_hopeful said:

I think there has been research on using hedges to reduce particulates from traffic. There is quite a bit on google. 

Thanks, that's a good idea. I thought there were rules against high hedges at the front of the properly, like there are for walls which are limited to 1m at the front. Such a stupid rule, forces you to use other means to improve privacy. But apparently hedges up to 2m at no problem, and even above 2m all anyone can do is complain on the basis that it blocks their light.

Just need to find the right plant.

Kiran

I could be wrong, but on the surface I'm not sure that it stacks up. to control dust and particulate matter negative pressure systems are used to pull the particles to the point of extraction. PIV using positive pressure would only lightly pressurise your house and would only really have a significant air movement if a door or window was open. Definitely works on industrial scales for air changes etc. You could probably rig up a very crude experiment prior to committing to fitting anything  

Jacked6

Can I ask did you try this? I'm in the same situation and considering it.

I feel that the positive air will stop the dust and pollen coming into the house. And reduce car noise if I don't have to have the window open. But I don't know if it needs to be whole house system or just for the bedroom and maybe bathroom.

Also the hedges, is a good idea.

rob7475

PIV won't reduce dust in the house. The main unit is usually sited in the loft space and will only filter the air it's pulling in from outside.

For dust management, an air purifier will help. We have a Meaco Arete 20. It doubles up as a dehumidifier but 95% of the time, we just run it in AP mode and the filters do pull in a lot of dust. We hoover the filters every few weeks and change them every 3-4 month. The unit costs pennies to run when in AP mode. We have ours on the landing and I have it on a smart plug so it turns itself off overnight so the noise doesn't bother us.

WIAWSNB

Why wouldn't it work? Or at least help significantly.

Dust must come in to the house via a difference in pressure - essentially airflow, depending on ambient conditions.

It could be winds from different directions, or simply the chimney effect of air being drawn in from under the floor and around door and window seals, and then out through upstairs windows.

Check your windows - open them, and look in horror at the black scum around the insides of the frame where the openers sit.

So, a gentle positive pressure, with filtered air, sending that light draught out every orifice should surely make a large difference?

In winter, it could lead to increased fuel bills, tho'.

And definitely look in to a filtering hedge. I've read a number of references to this, so it's surely worth investigating to see if it has mileage.