Let’s Talk About Maria.
Maria is a single mum, living in a small flat with her daughter, in London. Life in a compact space isn’t always easy, but Maria liked to keep her family cosy. Unfortunately, her bathroom had other ideas; no matter what she did, it seemed determined to become a breeding ground for mould.
She tried every preventative measure; mould removal sprays; anti-mould paint; and even braving icy winds with the bathroom window open during winter to purge the air. But no matter how hard she tried, the mould always crept back - like an unwelcome visitor who didn’t know when to leave.
Finally, Maria had had enough. She called her landlord, who sent a ventilation and mould specialist. He arrived with an 'energy-efficient' fan, shiny and full of promise. Maria watched as it was installed and felt a flicker of hope. Surely, this would solve the mould problem once and for all.
“The new extractor fan costs less than £1 a month to run," the specialist assured her. Maria nodded, thinking she could almost feel the weight lifting from her shoulders. At last, she thought, “Problem solved.”
When Saving Energy Costs Maria More.
For a little while, things were better. The bathroom smelt fresher, and the mould seemed to have given up. Maria could finally enjoy a shower without the nagging worry of seeing it creep back.
Then winter arrived, and with it came a shocking surprise: her energy bills had shot up. Maria frowned at the numbers on her smart meter, which seemed to climb higher every day. Something wasn’t right with her energy-efficient mould solution.
Maria decided to investigate. She switched the extractor fan off for a few days and, as if by magic, her energy costs dropped. Relieved but puzzled, she called her landlord again.
The ventilation and mould specialist came back, poked and prodded, and declared the extractor fan was working perfectly. However, Maria wasn’t convinced. The fan might have been efficient, but her bills were anything but.
The Mould Solution that Made Maria Worse Off.
It didn’t take Maria long to figure it out. The fan itself cost less than £1 a month to run, just as promised, but what no one told her was that it was also quietly whisking away the warm air in her flat.
Every puff of air the extractor fan expelled had to be replaced, and her heating system was doing double duty to keep up.
- The fan seemed inexpensive to run at first, but in the colder winter months, it caused a noticeable spike in heating costs.
- While summer costs were lower, the extra winter usage quickly added up.
Maria faced an impossible choice: keep the fan running and pay through the nose, or switch it off and let the mould return.
Good Intentions: Bad Results.
Maria couldn’t help but feeling let down.
Her landlord had tried to help, and in fairness, the extractor fan had done its job; it reduced the humidity and kept the air mould free.
But there was one big problem: the fan didn’t solve the issue of heat and energy loss.
With every minute the extractor fan ran, it sucked out the warm air Maria’s boiler had worked hard to produce.
The landlord’s solution was well-meaning but incomplete.
When Saving Energy Costs You More.
Maria decided to do some sums. Here’s what she worked out:
- While the fan only cost around £0.54 a month to run.
- The fan added an extra heating cost of around £36 a month in winter.
- During the warmer summer months, heating costs were lower, but the impact of winter usage still added up.
- Over the course of a year, the total additional heating cost amounted to over £200.
Maria needed a better solution.
Then Maria discovered something new: A Vento Heat Recovery Unit.
If her landlord had installed a Vento Heat Recovery Unit, things would have been very different:
- Running cost: Around £1.25 a month.
- Savings on heating: About £29 a month in January.
- Same Extraction: The Vento Heat Recovery Unit extracted as much air as the fan.
Maria couldn’t believe the difference. Switching to a Vento, she would have saved about £28 every month during winter!
Maria Did The Simple Maths.
Comparing her monthly energy bills, the numbers highlighted the problem, and the solution.
| Month | with Fan | with Vento | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| June | £73.41 | £64.54 | £8.87 |
| November | £138.56 | £115.52 | £23.04 |
| January | £182.23 | £153.17 | £29.06 |
| March | £124.05 | £99.03 | £25.02 |
As long as Maria and her landlord kept the property in the same condition, switching to a Vento Heat Recovery Unit, could have saved around 12–21% of monthly energy costs compared to a standard extractor fan.
The Hidden Cost of ‘Energy-Efficient’ Fans.
Maria's situation isn't unique. Many people in flats like hers struggle with the hidden costs of incomplete solutions.
The extractor fan solved one problem but created another a much bigger one.
She couldn’t help wondering how things could have been with a Vento Heat Recovery Unit.
- Up to 85% heat recovery: The Vento recovers warmth from outgoing air, helping to heat incoming air.
- Energy-efficient motor: With its 7w motor, the Vento costs around £1.25 a month to run.
- Comfort and Affordability: No mould risk. No freezing. No shocking bills.
From Maria’s Problem to a Better Solution.
Maria’s story shows how important it is to solve the whole problem, not just part of it. Her energy-saving fan reduced humidity but didn’t address the heat loss.
If her landlord had chosen a Vento Heat Recovery Unit, the story would have had a happier ending:
- The mould would be gone.
- Her heating bills would be manageable.
- She and her daughter could enjoy their home without worry.
Instead, Maria was left juggling bills and battling cold. It was an unfair trade-off for anyone to make.
The Lesson from Maria’s Story.
Maria’s experience is a warning story; a reminder that the best solutions solve problems completely.
Good intentions are important, but the right tools are what really make a difference.
Switching to a Vento Heat Recovery Unit, Maria wouldn’t have been forced to choose between a mould-free bathroom and a warm home. She could have had both.
Maria’s story could have been one of relief and comfort. Instead, it’s a cautionary tale.
No one should have to be Maria...
Click here & see how Vento can save you money
This blog uses the fictional character ‘Maria’ to illustrate that not all 'energy-saving' fans genuinely save you money. While some boast low-energy motors, they can still drive up your heating bills if they don’t include heat recovery. Be mindful of this hidden cost when choosing a ventilation solution. Please note that this blog is also an advert for Vento Heat Recovery Unit's, highlighting how they provide fresher air, reduce mould risk, and help keep your energy bills lower.
*Key Information and Assumptions
Our calculations are backed by data from highly credible sources to ensure accuracy and reliability. By incorporating trusted resources, we aim to provide transparent insights into energy usage and cost savings.
Sources and Methodology
UK Government Domestic Energy Prices: To establish a foundation for energy usage analysis, we referred to the UK Government's Domestic Energy Prices collection. This ensures alignment with officially recognized energy rates. Explore the official dataset
Ofgem Energy Usage and Price Cap Data: Using Ofgem's guidelines on average gas and electricity usage, we calculated running costs and savings. Ofgem's energy price cap for January to March 2025 provides the latest rates for accurate comparisons.
- Ofgem's Average Usage Guidelines
- Ofgem Energy Price Cap Jan-Mar 2025
- NASA Air Density Metrics: Calculations for ventilation heat loss incorporate NASA's official air density data, ensuring precision in airflow and temperature differential modeling. Learn more about air density measurements
- Specific Heat Capacity: Engineering calculations rely on specific heat capacity to measure the thermal energy involved in ventilation processes. Understanding Specific Heat Capacity
Blauberg Performance Statistics: Detailed product specifications support our calculations, including data for Blauberg extractor fans and the Vento Heat Recovery Unit:
Assumptions
Our figures assume standard conditions, including:
- Winter temperature differential: 15°C.
- Airtightness: 5 m³/h·m².
- 100% electric heating efficiency.
- Heat recovery efficiency: up to 85%, based on standard installation and usage patterns.
Why These Sources Matter
By linking to trusted authorities like the UK Government, Ofgem, and NASA, we ensure our content is credible and transparent. This strengthens the confidence of landlords, tenants, and industry professionals in the Vento solution while improving search engine rankings.
