In a significant eco-friendly development, Nuaire has announced that its groundbreaking Drimaster-Eco Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) system will transition to utilizing recycled plastic casings starting October 2025.
This change is expected to reduce equivalent embodied carbon by 167 tons annually. The Drimaster, originally launched over 50 years ago as the UK's first PIV system, continues to be a favored solution for increasingly stringent environmental standards.
Evolution of Positive Input Ventilation Technology
Introduced by Nuaire in 1972, PIV systems have been acknowledged as an innovative approach to combat condensation dampness and harmful black mold in residential spaces.
These systems work by drawing fresh air from loft areas, filtering it, and then dispersing it throughout the home via a central diffuser. By maintaining positive pressure, the system effectively expels stale, damp air and pollutants through natural gaps in the property.
Advantages for Social Housing
Drimaster PIV units are particularly popular among social housing providers
With installations in over a million UK homes, Drimaster PIV units are particularly popular among social housing providers.
Their cost-effectiveness, rapid installation, durability, and non-disruptive nature make them a practical choice. Notably, a Drimaster-Eco can be installed in under an hour, and the switch to recycled plastic will only alter the unit's color from blue to black, maintaining product quality.
Energy Efficiency and Added Comfort
The Drimaster-Eco lineup has been designed to use up to 20% less energy, leading to decreased operational costs. Features like the Drimaster-Eco NOX, which includes carbon cartridges, significantly reduce NOX pollutants by up to 80%.
Additionally, models equipped with a 400W heating element help maintain comfortable airflow temperatures even when loft temperatures fall. For homes lacking lofts, the Flatmaster PIV unit is an available alternative.
Commitment to Sustainability
This innovation aligns with Nuaire’s ongoing commitment to reducing carbon emissions. Alongside adopting XCarb® low-emission steel, the company aims for a 68% CO2 reduction in commercial units.
Being part of the Genuit Group, which targets net zero emissions by 2050, Nuaire has ambitious carbon reduction objectives, achieving the removal of 2,000 tons of carbon in 2024 alone. All Nuaire Drimaster-Eco units will continue to be produced in their South Wales facility, adhering to environmental sustainability while maintaining product excellence.
The UK’s first ever Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) system – and still the market pioneer after more than 50 years - the Drimaster from Nuaire, has evolved once more!
As from October 2025, the Drimaster-Eco has swapped its casing from a virgin ABS plastic to a recycled plastic. The switch will result in a reduction of 167 tons of equivalent embodied carbon over the period of a year.
Natural leakage gaps
PIV technology was invented by Nuaire in 1972 and was recognized as a ground breaking, highly effective cure for condensation dampness and its associated problems – including harmful black mould - within residential properties.
PIV systems draw fresh air present in the loft space, filter that air, then gently disperse it into the home via a central diffuser at a continuous rate. This creates a positive pressure within the home that forces stale, damp air and pollutants out through the natural leakage gaps found in every UK property, both old and new.
Social housing providers
Tried and tested, Drimaster PIV units are installed in over a million homes in the UK
Tried and tested, Drimaster PIV units are installed in over a million homes in the UK, and are particularly popular with social housing providers due to their cost-effectiveness, speedy install (Drimaster-Eco can be installed in a loft in less than an hour), longevity (many Nuaire Drimaster PIVs have been in operation for over 20 years), and non-disruptive nature for residents.
Moving from the virgin ABS plastic to 100% recycled plastic will not impact the quality of the Nuaire Drimaster-Eco PIV units, although customers will notice a change in color from the blue plastic to black. The units will continue to be made in Nuaire’s South Wales state-of-the-art manufacturing facility that covers over 71,000m2 and operates with minimal impact on the environment.
Ensuring ultimate comfort
Nuaire’s PIV technology and product range has continually evolved since the first iteration in 1972, with the latest incarnation – the Drimaster-Eco - using up to 20% less energy, meaning lower running and life cycle costs.
In addition to the standard Drimaster-Eco, the Drimaster-Eco NOX is available which comes with two carbon cartridges which reduces NOX levels – a dangerous pollutant commonly caused by road traffic - within the home by up to 80%. Drimaster models are available with a 400W heating element fitted on the diffuser to temper the airflow should the temperature in the loft space drop below a set point, ensuring ultimate comfort in the home. For homes without lofts, the Flatmaster PIV unit is available.
Carbon reduction targets
This latest product development comes on the back of Nuaire’s announcement of its switch to the use of XCarb® low carbon-emissions recycled and renewably produced steel on many commercial units, which will directly result in a 68% reduction in CO2 emissions, and the use of recycled plastic for its ducting.
As part of the Genuit Group, which has pledged to be net zero by 2050, Nuaire has set rigorous carbon reduction targets and, in 2024 alone, removed 2,000 tons of carbon from its product portfolio.
