The Different Types of Housing you will see in the UK

As a guy who has lived in both UK and HK, I can certainly say there are quite a few differences to take note of when deciding on long-term accommodation. For those moving to the UK from Hong Kong, they may find themselves largely unfamiliar with the different types of housing spread across the UK. So, it might be worthwhile to learn about housing types in the UK to better understand the advantages and drawbacks that come with them.

 

Surprisingly there is no legal requirement for room ceilings to be at a certain height in the UK. However, the average room height in UK is 2.4 m but ideally 2.6 m to 2.7 m. On the other hand, Hong Kong has requirements that every room used or intended to be used for office or habitation should have a height no less than 2.5 m, measured from floor to height.

Detached House

The housing type that offers a greater degree amount of privacy than others, it does not share any wall with other structures. Often built in rural or suburban areas, they typically come with both back and front lawns, which may be ideal for pet owners and those who enjoy outdoor activities such barbequing or gardening. They also tend to come with garages, useful for car-owner. However, a downside with this type is that it tends to be the most expensive housing type to purchase, and comes with high maintenance and upkeep costs.

 

Semi-detached House

Slightly different from the detached house, the semi-detached house shares at least one wall with an existing structure that is separately owned. These are usually cheaper than detached houses. As you share a wall with a neighbour, there is the possibility of disputes such as noise disturbance that may arise. On that note, any building alterations done would need to be discussed with your neighbour. So, you may need to take these factors into consideration.

 

Terraced House

Found commonly in populated areas such as cities, terraced housing are houses that sits in rows that occupy the street. A popular type of housing where land is at a premium, it allows for construction to save a great deal of space. Terrace houses usually share walls on both sides, where the accommodation is ‘sandwiched’ by others. Could possibly offer a bit more security with neighbours on both sides, a bit more foot traffic surrounding the house.

 

End-of-Terrrace House

With only minor differences to terrace houses, end-of-terrace houses are found at the end of the rows of the homes. They typically occupy the corners of the street or the ends of roads. They can offer more space and better lighting than the terrace houses in the middle due to the extension sideways. They can cost around 20% more than normal terraced homes.

 

Flats 

Usually being the smallest type of housing, flats are more affordable compared to the rest of this list. Usually stacked into a single building, similar to Hong Kong, flats are popular in inner city areas due to the space saving advantage. They also usually offer security and concierge that takes care of the building. Depending on the firm that manages the building, the apartment complex may also come with amenities such communal swimming pool and/or gym, clubhouses with reading room or study spaces.

 

Inside the houses of UK

 

If you’re interested in what the interior of these houses looks like, take a look at the videos on this YouTube channel.

Understanding the 4 Types of Air Purifiers

Due to Covid-19 pandemic, there are rising concerns about the potential transmission of the virus in enclosed spaces such as indoor areas, where air-borne bacteria and viruses can circulate when airflow is restricted. To prevent bad airflow, people are becoming more interested in the air purifying system to lower the risk of getting sick. There are four main types of air purifiers that are used at home .

HEPA Purifiers

The most common one is the HEPA purifiers. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters capture airborne particles from moving air using a dense, random arrangement of fibers. HEPA filters use the physics of particles moving through air to yank them out of the airflow. Their operation is simple but extremely effective. They have an efficiency of removing 99.97% of particulate matter of size less than 0.3 microns from contaminated air ensuring a flow rate anywhere between 150 -400 cubic feet per minute depending on the clogging of their pores.


Pros:

Reduces allergy and asthma symptoms:

Particles like dust, dander, and pollen that cause allergy symptoms are large enough for a HEPA filter to catch

Commonly available:

HEPA filters are found in a variety of home appliances including whole-house air filtration units, portable air purifiers, and vacuum cleaners.

Produces no byproducts:

Other air purifying products like ozone, ionizers, and PECO all emit a harmful byproduct into the air.

 

Cons:

Won’t remove every particle:

will not remove pollutants from the air that are smaller than 0.3 microns, including viruses, some bacteria, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Requires frequent replacement:

HEPA filters trap most of the particulates in the air. This means they tend to clog faster than more porous filters.

Can be difficult to clean:

The shape and size of your air purifier may make it difficult to access the HEPA filter and clean it.

 

Sources:

The Pros and Cons of Using a HEPA Filter in Your Home Air System

https://molekule.science/pros-cons-hepa-filter/


UV Purifiers

Industrial installation for UV water purification

UV stands for ultraviolet. UV Air Filtration is a specialized way of treating your air that reduces biological compounds.  It can also help eliminate potentially harmful bacteria and viruses from the air. There are special products that can be installed in addition to the current HVAC systems so that the UV air filtration or UV air purification system purifies the air as it is conditioned by your AC and heating system.


Pros:

Elimination

eliminate microscopic elements, such as viruses, bacteria, or mold, that can be toxic or harmful

Silent:

you won’t even know it’s running

Won’t accumulate dirt:

there’s no physical filter

 

Cons:

Won’t remove every particle:

most allergens, dust, or other solids such as cigarette smoke, gases, or other chemical fumes cannot remove.

Require some maintenance:

AirCleaner.org tells us “every year, about 15% of an ultraviolet light’s power is decreased.”

http://www.aircleaner.org/uv-air-purifiers/

By-product created:

When UV purifiers expose air to UV light, the same energy that breaks the bonds of DNA in microorganisms can also split oxygen (O₂), which can reform into ozone (O₃). While beneficial high in the atmosphere, ozone is a dangerous pollution in your home.

 

Sources:

https://www.comfortexpertsinc.com/blog/2015/april/pros-and-cons-of-uv-air-filtration/

https://www.schnellerair.com/blog/pros-cons-what-you-need-to-know-about-uv-air-filtration/


Ozone Air Purifiers

Ozone is a molecule composed of three atoms of oxygen. Two atoms of oxygen form the basic oxygen molecule–the oxygen we breathe that is essential to life. The third oxygen atom can detach from the ozone molecule, and re-attach to molecules of other substances, thereby altering their chemical composition. It is this ability to react with other substances that forms the basis of many manufacturers’ claims.


Pro

more applicable:

applicable for biological contaminants, not airborne inorganic particulates or chemicals

non-occupant settings:

ozone generators can be used to disinfect the air and kill microbes

 

Con

immediately harmful to your health

ozone can damage the lungs. Relatively low amounts can cause chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and throat irritation.

leaving byproducts:

just as bad or even worse than the original chemicals.

 

Sources:

https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/air-cleaners-ozone-products/hazardous-ozone-generating-air-purifiers

https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/ozone-generators-are-sold-air-cleaners#intro


NCCO Purifier

NCCO is an innovative technology invented by members of HKUST Entrepreneurship Program. It has been well recognized by the Hong Kong government and the public sector and is a revolutionary air purification technology that will change the world.

In comparison to other air purification technologies such as activated charcoal, UV light and electrostatic precipitator. NCCO is more efficient at removing pollutants. For example, activated charcoal can only absorb but not decompose pollutants, and can only last for a short period of time (usually three months) without replacement. Once the carbon filter is saturated, the pollutants absorbed will be released to the air causing “second pollution”, which can cause great harm to health.

On the other hand, NCCO can absorb and decompose pollutants continuously by combining Active Oxygen and High grade synthetic zeolite, and the technology can last for up to 12 years in a laboratory environment. NCCO has solved a range of air pollution issues in different sectors including commercial, industrial, retail and motor etc. In addition, it can resolve indoor and outdoor air quality problems including pollution caused by PM2.5, PM10, VOCs and formaldehyde. Being able to remove the root sources of pollutants, NCCO acts as an excellent air purifier. Being a proven concept with these capabilities, NCCO is playing an important role in air purification technology development.


Application for NCCO Purifier

fan coil system

Office Ceiling

Lift