Please note that retrofits do NOT form part of
this guide in terms of Appendix Q.
Installation and Maintenance Sunwarm Air Solar Energy Ventilation System
310. 09. 13. Leaflet Number 671379
Warning: Unit must only be installed in a horizontal
position with Nuaire logo on top and not upside down,
at an angle or any other configuration.
Section 1.0
Important notes to Designers
and Installers
The successful operation of the Sunwarm Air System depends
entirely upon installation and ongoing maintenance being carried
out strictly in accordance with these instructions.
Additionally, SAP Appendix Q recognition of the Nuaire Sunwarm
Air System is contingent upon adherence to this guide, including
maintenance activities.
Please read this guide in its entirety before installation and
then repeat the exercise step by step to ensure satisfactory
completion including any recommended maintenance activities .
Installation of the Solar Air Collectors must be carried out by a
suitably qualified roofing contractor taking account of The
Working at Height Regulations 2005 and in accordance with
CDM Regulations 2007.
Installation of the Air Handling Unit must be carried out by a
suitably qualified electrician in accordance with the Electricity at
Work Regulations 1989, the 17th Edition IEEE Regulations and
the CDM Regulations 2007.
These instructions are limited to installation in a home with a
“cold roof”. “Warm roofs” vary considerably and advice
should be sought from Nuaire on an individual basis.
Nuaire specified insulated ducting must always be used where
stated for the system to be recognised by Appendix Q within
SAP Regulations.
1.1 General description
The Sunwarm Air System is a Low Energy Positive Input
Ventilation (LEPIV) unit. Unlike conventional LEPIV units which
only draw in external air via the loft in a “cold roof’, the unit is
capable of drawing in external air from different locations via
three air inlet spigots each fitted with their own low energy
open/close damper. (See figure 1).
The units airflow is controlled via an integral intelligent control
system that measures, and appropriately responds to,
temperatures at the various air inlet locations.
The temperature selected by the occupants on the user control
panel provided will be the delivered air temperature into the
home.
1.2 Handling
The Solar Air Collectors and the Air Handling Unit are
delivered to site in separate crates suitable for forklift
handling.
There are normally two collectors per dwelling. The units are
packaged individually, net weight 61kg net.
Each Solar Air Collector consists of a sealed unit, which contains
the solar absorber and is heavily insulated and covered on the
top face with a polycarbonate sheet.
WARNING – take all precautions necessary to protect the
polycarbonate whilst handling the collectors.
1.3 Installation requirements for the
loft mounted Air Handling Unit for
retrofit applications
1.4 Loft inspection
Check to ensure that the loft has adequate ventilation.
Look for ridge vents, tile vents, eaves vents and continuous air
gaps etc. making sure none are blocked. In older properties these
vents may not be provided. However, there should be enough
‘leakage’ to accommodate the requirements of the unit.
A useful way of checking such lofts is to close the hatch, switch
off the lights and look for any daylight penetration.
If you can see daylight it is reasonable to assume that the loft
has sufficient ventilation.
There may be occasions where a loft is so well sealed that
additional ventilation may have to be provided by the owner
/occupier or the unit installer. This will not only assist the
operation of the unit, but will help prevent possible expensive
structural damage caused by inadequate air movement in the
loft itself.
It should be noted that there cannot be too much ventilation
into the loft.
Additional checks should be carried out as follows:
■Ensure that all water tanks are covered
and sealed.
■Check that all water pipes are lagged.
■Ensure that any extract fans are discharging to
outside and not into the loft.
■Check that the loft hatch is tightly sealed.
■Ensure all holes in the ceilings are sealed i.e. ceiling
light fittings etc.
■A visual inspection of flues or chimneys for leakage
in the loft should be carried out by the installer.
If leakage points are found, or if there is any doubt
regarding the same the installer should advise the
house owner/provider and seek instruction from
them before continuing with installation.
■The Air Handling Unit unit must be able to pass
through the loft access (minimum dimensions
required are 570 x 400 mm).
