closing air vents

silvercar

Just moved into the house so don't know how cold it will be over winter. We don't have double glazing so pretty cold would be a guess.

Two bedrooms and the main bathroom have vents on outside walls. Would it be sensible to close them off?

If anyone can shed light on why these rooms have vents when no other rooms do, I would be curious to know. There have never been fireplaces or boilers in these rooms, so I can't understand why they would need venting.

The house was built in 1937, so solid walls rather than cavities.

JennyW_2

i'd of thought so. In our old house we had one in the lounge which we had to keep open as we had a fireplace, however we also had one in the kitchen which I did close off as it was freezing in the winter. Surely the ones you have are no different than having an open window, so safe to close?

Bossyboots

We have a condensation problem in our house because the vents have all been blocked off. After years of trying to find ways around it and buying a dehumidifier, we have now come to the conclusion that we are going to have to open the vents again.

fabbers

They are there in association with air bricks to prevent condensation and damp, therefore you can block them if you wish but be aware that you may have issues fourther down the line.

JennyW_2

perhaps you could just close them during the evenings in the winter to keep you warm them open them to air the room in the day?

silvercar

They are linked to airbrick on the outside, though they are all at ceiling height. Will keep them closed at night and maybe open during the day. I guess they are the same as the modern day trickle vents on double glazing!

Still puzzled as to why they are only in some rooms not others!

robnye

are the rooms that have them all up stairs...........?

warm air rising..... possibly

alanobrien

silvercar wrote:

They are linked to airbrick on the outside, though they are all at ceiling height. Will keep them closed at night and maybe open during the day. I guess they are the same as the modern day trickle vents on double glazing!

Still puzzled as to why they are only in some rooms not others!

Could be previous occupants removed them or blocked them off ?

mrs_baggins

I have a house built in 1991 and there are 2 floor level vents in living room. Apparently they are required by planners due to gas fire. They are there but I have papered over them!

Skiduck

mrs_baggins wrote:

I have a house built in 1991 and there are 2 floor level vents in living room. Apparently they are required by planners due to gas fire. They are there but I have papered over them!

If the gas fire is still there, I recommend you unblock them. If it is draughty, replace them with a black hole vent if possible. But you need the ventilation if the gas fire is still in use.