Closing off air vents during winter?

geoffky

We have two air vents built into the brickwork at about 1ft from ground level and it is blowing a gale into our lounge..Is it ok to block these off for the winter as it would make a difference...We have a gas fire (2 years old) and kept serviced...Thanks for any replies..

TimBuckTeeth

You can't block the vents if you use the gas fire, they are to allow fresh air for proper combustion.
If they are blocked carbon monoxide could be produced by the fire, even if it is regularly serviced.

GlynD

TimBuckTeeth wrote: »

You can't block the vents if you use the gas fire, they are to allow fresh air for proper combustion.
If they are blocked carbon monoxide could be produced by the fire, even if it is regularly serviced.

I dispute this. I believe the vents are surplus to requirement and could be permanently bricked up. Before doing so however I'd take the advice of a proper gas installer. Lets face it, the gummint wants us to have fully insulated walls donnit? Then why have two flipping great 'oles there?

I've lived in 4 properties with gas heating (including gas fires) and none of them had silly vents which blow all the heat out of the room.

geoffky

Anyone a gas installer? Have any views?

yangptangkipperbang

GlynD wrote: »

I dispute this. I believe the vents are surplus to requirement and could be permanently bricked up. Before doing so however I'd take the advice of a proper gas installer. Lets face it, the gummint wants us to have fully insulated walls donnit? Then why have two flipping great 'oles there?

I've lived in 4 properties with gas heating (including gas fires) and none of them had silly vents which blow all the heat out of the room.

What inane comments !!!

southcoastrgi

GlynD wrote: »

I dispute this. I believe the vents are surplus to requirement and could be permanently bricked up. Before doing so however I'd take the advice of a proper gas installer. Lets face it, the gummint wants us to have fully insulated walls donnit? Then why have two flipping great 'oles there?

I've lived in 4 properties with gas heating (including gas fires) and none of them had silly vents which blow all the heat out of the room.

well done you have just recieved the award for the most stupid comment ever made,

as TBT said they are there for the safe operation of the gas fire, so you have three choices, cover them over & don't use the fire or don't cover them over & use the fire or cover them over use the fire & die

keystone

GlynD wrote: »

I dispute this. I believe the vents are surplus to requirement and could be permanently bricked up. Before doing so however I'd take the advice of a proper gas installer. Lets face it, the gummint wants us to have fully insulated walls donnit? Then why have two flipping great 'oles there?

I've lived in 4 properties with gas heating (including gas fires) and none of them had silly vents which blow all the heat out of the room.

The first and third sentences are mutually exclusive and actually, if the truth be known.........



:D

Cheers

rustyboy21

if you have 2 airvents, it sounds like you have a flueless gas fire.

As south coast said, '' Cover them up and you will die !''

This is the result of buying a fire, which is not suitable for use in UK homes from the likes of B&Q or Homebase. or even worse the internet ( shudder.... !)

cyclonebri1

Do you have a balanced flue gasfire or conventional conventional flue or even flueless God forbid?

It makes a difference to the answer.

Bottom line don't block anything until you have the answer.
Gut feeling is you probably don't need both ventilators open, and if it is a flueless fire the manf info will give the free air space vent reqd, it isn't alot. Go with that at your peril.

Get a gas guy in, get the fire serviced and as part of that the draw will be tested. I don't know the trade way of doing this but if it was my house I would tape seal all doors and windows and test with 0, 1, and 2 vents open and go with the gas safe guys verdict.

I'm also guessing he would be in self preservation mode and suggest as you have 2 fitted, use them.;);)

cyclonebri1

keystone wrote: »

The first and third sentences are mutually exclusive and actually, if the truth be known.........



:D

Cheers

H'mmm they look like the 2 gas safe guys we had round last week:D:D:D:D

George_Michael

GlynD wrote: »

I dispute this. I believe the vents are surplus to requirement and could be permanently bricked up. Before doing so however I'd take the advice of a proper gas installer. Lets face it, the gummint wants us to have fully insulated walls donnit? Then why have two flipping great 'oles there?

Maybe for the same reason that you have 2 flipping great 'oles, one at either end of your torso, both for letting sh1te out of.