Cover up kitchen extractor fan?

indextwo

Astonishingly, we've only just noticed why the kitchen is so freezing cold; the extractor fan in the wall has never actually worked, so we've just got an arctic wind constantly blowing into the apartment.

There doesn't appear to be a hood on the outside (I can look straight through the vent and see the bus shelter on the other side of the road), but even if we get the fan working, won't the cold continue to blow in when it stops spinning?

Considering how ridiculously high our last electricity bill was (no gas in the apartment, all electric heaters), we're quite keen to keep the place as warm as possible. Can I just cover the thing up with an old towel or something? ANd what should I do long-term?

baby_bronagh

indextwo wrote: »

Astonishingly, we've only just noticed why the kitchen is so freezing cold; the extractor fan in the wall has never actually worked, so we've just got an arctic wind constantly blowing into the apartment.

There doesn't appear to be a hood on the outside (I can look straight through the vent and see the bus shelter on the other side of the road), but even if we get the fan working, won't the cold continue to blow in when it stops spinning?

Considering how ridiculously high our last electricity bill was (no gas in the apartment, all electric heaters), we're quite keen to keep the place as warm as possible. Can I just cover the thing up with an old towel or something? ANd what should I do long-term?

I've got one of them in my kitchen that I don't use . As temp. measure (2yrs ago)!! I covered it with a block of polystyrene and taped it to the wall. Will get it fixed right one day!

bb

indextwo

I fear I've run out of gaffer tape, otherwise I'de be strapping it up with some acoustic foam. Does the polystyrene work? Are you finding you place is any warmer?

On a side note, considering that I don't think there's ever been a hood on the outside of the building for the fan. We've been living here for about four years and I know the builder's cover ran out last year (so if anything goes wrong it's our own problem). I'll consider talking to the management company for the building, but I'm pretty sure they hate me because I spent about a year complaining endlessly about our horrifically noisy neighbours...

ic

Check the size of the hole, should be able to get one of these to fit on the outside: http://www.screwfix.com/prods/13161/Heating-Cooling/Ducting/Manrose-Square-Brown-100mm-Flap-Vent.

Would keep the worse of the weather out. If you're in the market for an upgrade, get a fan with an automatic shutter - these have a small series of shutters that open and close when the fan runs - very effective!

Igol

Yep polystyrene works. Do the same myself in the bathroom in the winter, all that lovely heat was just disappearing out of the fan.

Slimcilla

If you can put a scrunched up bit of bubble-wrap in the hole it will make a big difference..

Then wedge a piece of plaster board on top, apply some PVA and then plaster over it when you have the time or inclination..

Do make sure the electrics are isolated - may be advisable to call in an electrician if you are not sure..

Good luck!