Period Cowshed ventilation and heating

[mattice]

Here she is:

We've been successful with a grant to refurb our climbers hit in North wales. The plans look good but I'm keen to attempt to get more ventilation in as part of an effort to decrease the characterful mustiness. There's a lot of dead air space in the back of the hut, the walls are thick slate and rubble (>3ft), even incorporating boulders from the cliffs behind the hut, so getting vents in could be a challenge. Clear signs of condensation and associated mould, and believe it or not, this place sleeps 21. All windows on front elevation, doors towards the front. Conventional extraction fans will be in the bathroom and toilets.

Heating source is by a nice log burner (already installed and very effective for the room it's in, the grant does cover low level heating (e.g. storage heater variety) but scope for alternatives if there are any suggestions. Mains electricity is the only existing power source.

Any experience of positive pressure ventilation, heat recovery etc? Or do I just need a very big drill?

 

[Roger H]

Mattice,

That sounds like a great project. Is it listed? If you have no joy on here http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/ may be of use on such a techie issue...

 

[Flyfisher]

Sounds like a classic example of the tussle between heat retention and ventilation.

I'd have thought that housing 21 damp (or even soaking wet) walkers and drying out all their gear overnight would make good ventilation more important than heat retention. All that water has to go somewhere and if it is trapped within a nice cosy building then serious condensation is only to be expected - as is already being experienced.

If opening the windows really isn't an acceptable option (personally, I much prefer a cool room and a cosy bed - or sleeping bag when camping) then a higher-tech solution such as heat exchangers and ducted ventilation to all rooms would probably solve the problem, but at what cost?

 

[billybuntus]

A customer of mine recently had an envirovent system fitted (sub £750) which is really very simple. It seems to be basically a de-humidifier come air recirc system and only requires two vents from the roof space into the house. By vents I mean internal from the attic space through the bathroom and landing ceilings.

It's completely removed all traces of black mould and the air quality has improved 1000%.

I rolled my eyes too when I heard about it but having seen the difference first hand it would be my first port of call in such a property. Minimum outlay and effort and a few pence a day in running costs.

Thanks

 

[Roger H]

Is there a drying room? Could you pull heat out of this via an MHRV and bring it back into the living accommodation with the fresh intake?

 

[mattice]

Thanks all, some good ideas.

No it's not listed thankfully on this occasion. We'll put trickle vents in the windows, however the windows will be non-opening as there have been past problems with vandalism and security.

Roger - yes there is a drying room and that's an intriguing idea which I'll look into. I'll also take a look at the environment system.

Heating really isn't a priority, after all guest are all hardy outdoor types :roll: It somehow ended up on the spec sheet though, so obviously not that hardy!

It is a really interesting project, there's quite a bit of history in the hut, and the fabric has character of a non-period variety due to incremental modifications. Due to the throughput, it is likely to be a highly functional interior so nothing too exciting for this forum on the inside.

 

[LadyArowana]

A customer of mine recently had an envirovent system fitted (sub £750) which is really very simple. It seems to be basically a de-humidifier come air recirc system and only requires two vents from the roof space into the house. By vents I mean internal from the attic space through the bathroom and landing ceilings.

It's completely removed all traces of black mould and the air quality has improved 1000%.

Another vote from me on the usefulness of dehumidifiers. In an atmosphere where things don't naturally dry very quickly damp clothes stay damp ages and can end up a bit musty smelling. A dehumidifier sorts all that out. Much healthier not to be encouraging the growth of mould and things with nasty spores.