Home Ventilation

Ventilation is the exchange of air with harmful pollutants and moisture from the inside of the building with fresh and clean air. Good ventilation improves indoor air quality and creates healthy homes.

If you have a newly built home in Ireland you should have all of the following:

• a Building Energy Rating (BER) certificate which shows the dwelling meets the NZEB standard for energy efficiency
• an Air Tightness Test certificate which shows the dwelling meets the air tightness requirements in Part L of the Building Regulations
• a Ventilation Validation certificate, which shows the dwelling meets the ventilation requirements in Part F of the Building Regulations .

In 2019, amendments to Part L of the Building Regulations were signed into law, giving effect to Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) Regulations and Major Renovation Regulations. In conjunction with this, amendments to Part F of the Building Regulations were signed into law, which relate to ventilation.

Part F (Ventilation)

S.I. No. 263/2019 - Building Regulations (Part F Amendment) Regulations 2019

Sets effective standards of ventilation and supports the measures introduced in Part L Regulations and European Union (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations 2019.

Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Energy)

• S.I. No. 292/2019 - European Union (Energy Performance of Buildings) (No.2) Regulations 2019
• S.I. No. 183/2019 - European Union (Energy Performance Of Buildings) Regulations 2019.

The following guide on ventilation will help you better understand the ventilation in your home. It does not replace manufacturer’s instructions, which you should always follow. It explains ventilation, what you need to know if you own or rent your home and if you are planning renovations.

The HSE also provides further guidance to improve Indoor Air Quality and to prevent mould and dampness in homes.

Living with asthma (HSE)