Southway Housing Trust is working with Next Energy to install AirEx smart air bricks across hundreds of their homes as part of a major programme to improve energy performance and create warmer, more comfortable homes for residents.
Heat loss through suspended floors is often overlooked when homes are upgraded. Traditional air bricks remain permanently open, allowing cold air to circulate beneath the property throughout the year. This can make floors feel cold, contribute to draughts and increase the amount of energy needed to keep a home warm.
AirEx smart air bricks replace existing air bricks and respond automatically to conditions beneath the floor. By reducing unnecessary cold airflow, they tackle heat loss through suspended floors while continuing to protect the property from moisture.
The technology can reduce whole-house heat loss by up to 12%, helping homes retain more warmth and improving comfort for residents. It can also improve SAP points to help achieve better EPC ratings, making it a valuable addition to wider energy-efficiency and property-improvement programmes.
For Southway Housing and Next Energy, the simplicity of the installation supports efficient delivery across a large number of homes. Each smart air brick is installed externally into an existing opening, with a typical installation completed in around one hour. There is no need to lift floors or carry out extensive internal building work, keeping disruption to residents to a minimum.
The project demonstrates how an overlooked source of heat loss can be addressed practically and cost-effectively across a large housing portfolio. By including suspended floors within its improvement programme, Southway Housing is helping residents benefit from warmer floors, lower heat loss and more energy-efficient homes.
