rark

Thanks for the replies everyone. I invested in a device which measures PM1, 2.5 and 10. Interestingly the last week's readings have been generally low (less than 5micrograms/cubic meter. However the mild weather means the woodburning has not fully started yet. We haven't had any nights yet when the air has been really stinking of woodsmoke. I will report back when this happens. I think a way forward would be to obtain some suitable filters and install some sort of fan in the loft to be used on demand when the pollution is bad. I am slightly worried about mould growth within the fan unit when not being used. I suppose the unit can be kept accessible for regular inspections. Anyone know if mould is considered a real world problem when MHRV/PIV blowers are situated in a cold loft space? Regarding the F7-F9 filters - posters on other threads report bonfire/woodsmoke smells not being kept out by these filters. Some of the smoke pollutants must stay in the gaseous phase and need activated carbon to remove them

On the subject of filters...anyone know if the activated carbon should be before or after the HEPA filter?

Yes i'm leaning toward this option as it would be quick to implement - buy a PIV unit and join it to a filter big enough so it doesn't cause a pressure drop and see how cold it makes the house and whether it keeps the pollution out I wonder why the PIV manufactures don't sell them with high grade filtration seems they are missing a potential market...

Thanks for the replies. Moving is not on the cards ATM and I suspect you would be amazed how weak the law is in this area. For example Environmental Health would only get involved if I could prove the smoke was from a particular individual and was happening on a regular basis. They have confirmed to me that bonfires are basically allowed - no matter how obnoxious - as long as they only occur on an 'occasional' basis! Yep, treating the atmosphere as an open sewer in 21st century UK is apparently ok - the right to burn garden rubbish must be upheld :-( The situation with woodburners isn't any better. Even if I present evidence of high PM2.5 levels inside my property when the air is smoky outside; if the woodburner in question complies with building regs then the law offers zero protection - sad but true. I did used to confront people over bonfire smoke but they just seem to dig their heels in and deny the smoke is in any way harmful and I can't see people who have paid the have a woodburner retrofitted agreeing not to use it especially with the antics of Mr Putin. So unfortunately it comes back to trying to filter the incoming air. I found another thread on here where someone added an activated carbon filter to an existing MHVR setup to protect his house from bonfire smoke so it seems there is hope!

Good evening, Can anyone suggest what a ventilation system would look like if the main objective was to protect the occupants of a bungalow from high levels of outdoor air pollution? We live in a 1960's steel frame bungalow - not very airtight or particularly well insulated (not the worst, but not that good either). Our neighbourhood is heavy with wood burner smoke in the evenings with regular episodes of bonfire smoke during the daytime. It really is bad! Anyway, currently we are unable to keep this pollution out of our home and our children are becoming asthmatic as a result. Obviously I need to come up with some sort of a solution. I am aware of MHRV systems which specify a F7 air filter for some protection against sub micron particles. Presumably it would be possible to upgrade to a more industrial filter with activated carbon. However I am unsure of the implications of installing in a fairly leaky property. PIV seems like it would be much simpler to implement but the units I have seen advertised only seem to have basic low grade filtration. Also don't PIV systems make for a cold house in winter? Hoping to benefit from the forum's collective expertise in this area Thanks Mark