Frequently asked questions

Contact us if you have any other questions.

How much does it cost to run a Ventpac fan?
What is ESD?
Where can I get a Ventpac factsheet?
What is the best option if I want to reduce my energy use?
Is it true that a sustainable building is expensive to build?
How is a Soho Ventpac different from other home ventilation systems?

How much does it cost to run a Ventpac fan?

A standard Equator Ventpac fan uses 120 Watts (about the same as a light bulb). If it runs 6 hours a day in summer (extracting warm air) and 6 hours a day in winter (recirculating air heated by the sun or your heat source to cooler parts of the house) for say 300 days a year, it uses 216 kWh. At 15c/kWh this means you spend only $32.40 a year on electricity to run the fan.

In comparison, a heat pump uses 1400 Watts. If you use it for 6hrs/day for 300 days a year, at 15c/kWh, it would cost you $378 to heat and cool the air.

What is ESD?

Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) is a collective term for a very broad set of design criteria which are, or are considered to be, sympathetic to the thoughtful and generally conservative usage of natural resources in the production and use of buildings and human settlements.

In short, ESD is an awareness and a commitment to act responsibly in design choices where there is often conflicting pressures of time, cost and quality.

Where can I get a Ventpac factsheet?

Download info sheet Soho Ventpac Natural energy solutions for new and existing buildings (PDF 317KB).

What is the best option if I want to reduce my energy use?

A Soho Vortex is optimised for low energy use.

Is it true that a sustainable building is expensive to build?

A recent Ministry for the Environment case study on commercial buildings found a fairly wide range, from 15 percent less to 10 percent more, in the initial capital cost compared to conventional good quality buildings. The average initial capital cost premium for sustainable features was only 2–6 percent more than standard buildings.

The study also found that the energy savings alone are 35–50 percent compared to conventional buildings. “In most cases it is possible to design attractive, uncomplicated sustainable buildings that operate in a straightforward manner, achieve high standards of energy efficiency, and incur little or no additional cost.”

See Value Case for Sustainable Building in New Zealand report for more information.

How is a Soho Ventpac different from other home ventilation systems?

Better than:	Because:
Air conditioner	Ventpac uses natural ventilation, internal and external air movement to cool living spaces, not refrigeration.
Heat pump	The sun, not electricity, is the source of the heat. Ventpac uses low levels of power to run smart technology and automation, not as the source of heating.
Electric radiators	Ventpac lets natural energy in through glazing and out through vents and windows, instead of refrigeration and pumping energy through pipes.
Gas heating	Ventpac allows natural ventilation to dry air, while gas heating adds moisture though combustion.
Dehumidifier	Ventpac system and appropriate architectural design automatically allows sun and natural ventilation to dry the air in every room – no need for bulky equipment.
DVS system	Ventpac doesn't draw dusty air out of your attic into living space, and constantly replace air filters. Keep your house warm and dry naturally through glazed living spaces, and manage summer heat release and winter rock bin storage.
Gas heating	Ventpac allows natural ventilation to dry air, while gas heating adds moisture though combustion.
Dehumidifier	Ventpac system and appropriate architectural design automatically allows sun and natural ventilation to dry the air in every room – no need for bulky equipment.
DVS system	Don’t draw dusty air out of your attic into living space, and constantly replace air filters. Keep your house warm and dry naturally through glazed living spaces, and manage summer heat release and winter rock bin storage.