Air-brick / vent question

nobile

We have what is effectively a hole in the wall the size of a brick partially blocked with stones etc with a plastic vent on the inside & outside.

It gets quite draughty & takes over the heat in the room.

To heat this room, I have gas central heating radiator & 1 gas fire which gets its ventillation from the chimney

Can I block these vent?

The floor in that room is solid, there are no floor boards, no cellar etc

All the entire ground floor is solid - no floorboards

Thanks

paulmapp8306

You cant block up the air bricks unless you have an extractor - at least thats what i was told by more than one kitchen designer/builder. If you have an extractor - fumes/condensation are removed so no need for the air bricks.

southcoastrgi

the air brick is prob there as ventilation for the fire (it doesn't take it's ventilation from the chimney at all)

paulmapp8306

Just another thought - what do you ccok on - electric or gas?

if its electric you could maybe block the vents. You may get some condensation but the main reason for the vent would be a vent for the gas. If its gas - then its vents or an extractor.

Dont know about the fire though - never heard of a vent in the kitchen for a gas fire in the living room - but then im not in tht trade so.

rustyboy21

The vent will be there for the fire. It most likely has a gas input of more than 7kw, so has to have it for regs.

You cannot swap that for an extractor fan. It needs to be a fixed open airvent with an extractor, you can switch it off.

Choice, if you want to remove it would be to take the fire out, or fit a fire with a gas unput of less than 7kw.

Choice is yours

yangptangkipperbang

paulmapp8306 wrote: »

You cant block up the air bricks unless you have an extractor - at least thats what i was told by more than one kitchen designer/builder. If you have an extractor - fumes/condensation are removed so no need for the air bricks.

I wouldn't deal with the person who told you that ! The vent is to supply combustion air for the fire. - If you have no vent and install an extractor:-

1. You may not get optimum combustion in your fire.
2. The extractor will draw the products of this incomplete combustion - carbon monoxide - back into the room - VERY dangerous !

Jacq42

I was told it depends on the kw of the gas fire and if it is under 7kw we wouldn't need one, so you should check with the manufacturer of your model.

paulmapp8306

sorry to be moving off topic here - I just want some further info.

1. I have 2 airbricks in my kitchen at ceiling height. My gas fire is 2 rooms away - and the doors between it and the airbricks are almost always closed. In this case what does the airbrick actually achieve regards the fire?

2. My fitter is fully gas safe, and has installation contracts for several firms for kitchens and deals with airbricks all the time (apparently). Even B&Q told us the same regards the airbricks and extractors. They basically say its for the gas hob - but if thats replaced with electric/induction OR/and an extractor is fitted - the the vents can be sealed. Just want to know if this is atually the case. It makes sense - as the hob is in the same room as the vents - where as the fire istn.

i get the "you can tunr extractors off" - and would probably replace one brick with an aextractor and leave the other in place If I was having a gas hob - but Im not. im having an induction hob and double electric oven. There will be no gas in the kitchen.

Not sure the OP actually stated where the vents were though - and we may be getting wires crossed here.

FWIW, in the last 3 houses Ive rented, they have all had gas hobs and gas fires - and non have had airbricks - all have had extractors. There all MOD houses, and have gas safety inspections annually. Nothing has ever been said.