In the last five years demand for affordable housing in the Papakura/Franklin area has increased dramatically. With that in mind, a 42-house development backing onto the main railway line south on Boundary Road in Papakura is about to break ground. With noise identified as a health concern, SmartVent home ventilation systems from Simx was the developer’s first - and only - choice. “As this subdivision is near a busy rail line there is an acoustic requirement by the council in the Resource Consent which states that home ventilation systems must be included in these builds,” explains the developer’s installer, Denis Withy from Laser Electrical Papakura. “This is to ensure the air quality remains fresh because the noise from trains means there is a need to keep windows closed.” “SmartVent from Simx is the only system we know that will do the job well as it is reliable and provides the acoustic properties the Council require now and into the future,” he says. The development itself has been priced within the ‘under $600,000’ Auckland price point. The houses are each around 150-160m2 and have all been presold. “Adding the SmartVent system to these builds is definitely an upgrade and certainly adds value to the purchaser’s home package,” adds Denis. With a dramatic increase in housing market activity in the last few years Denis estimates the demand in the area will continue over the next two to three years. “And we expect to see more and more SmartVent systems going into homes. We certainly recommend it to all our customers.”