What is this air vent for?

paperclap

stuart45 said:

You need a vent in the connie for the vent in the wall to be effective, unless it leaks a lot already.

Exactly, you're right. And, we don't have a vent in the conservatory. There are a few minor draughts around the door where it isn't sealed properly, but that doesn't really count, as it isn't purposeful ventilation (not meant to be there!).

KeithP

laurencewhymark said:

So, with that in mind, are you suggesting that this vent was for the sake of removing excess carbon monoxide when the previous gas fire was in use?

I can't imagine it is a simple vent to "air the house", as, why not use a simple air brick like the rest of the house has?

As others have said, it's to provide air to be burnt.

If you were to remove the plastic vent in the conservatory, I bet you will find 'a simple air brick like the rest of the house has' behind it. 

stuart45

If you do ever have a problem with air starvation in a stove or open fire, open a window and if this cures the issue then you know you need more ventilation. Open fires need a lot more than a small stove.

paperclap

I've not removed the covers, but I'm almost certain it isn't a simple air brick like the rest of the house... as it is higher and square. The others are 1-2 bricks above the damp course, and, well, brick-sized

Thing is, if it is ventilation for the wood burner... it isn't doing its job, as there is no fresh (outside) air, as the conservatory doesn't have a vent.

stuart45

Air bricks come in different sizes. 9in x 3in is a standard brick size. You might have these for venting under a timber floor.
You can also get 9in x 6in  and 9in x 9in. 
If you are not getting any problems with the stove it could be getting enough fresh air to it. 

paperclap

No issues with the stove over the winter just gone.

I just don't want an ugly vent there that isn't necessary! Don't want to have the walls plastered, then find out it could have been removed. Nor, a big draft in the middle of winter when the conservatory gets cold, and it bleeds cold air into the living room 

A_Lert

I wouldn't put any significance on it being an unusual design. It's just an air vent which is needed for having a fire.

There are building regulations for ventilation for a stove. What size if any vent is required depends on the power rating and the general airtightness of your house. If required you should either add a vent to the conservatory, or add a new vent by a different route then you can remove the defunct vent. Some stoves can take a direct air supply eliminating room draughts.

Doozergirl

laurencewhymark said:

I've not removed the covers, but I'm almost certain it isn't a simple air brick like the rest of the house... as it is higher and square. The others are 1-2 bricks above the damp course, and, well, brick-sized

Thing is, if it is ventilation for the wood burner... it isn't doing its job, as there is no fresh (outside) air, as the conservatory doesn't have a vent.

You're making the mistake of thinking that people who build conservatories know what they're doing.  Conservatories don't need to meet the building regulations, so a glazing company is unlikely to know what the regs are around gas fires and wood burning stoves if they don't even appreciate the usual regs around extensions.  

They've just whacked it on without thinking about it.  

stuart45

It is really irresponsible to cut out the air supply to an appliance like that by the connie builders. 
People tend to associate carbon monoxide with gas fires, but don't realise that coal and wood produce much higher levels of it.
Fires need plenty of fresh air for the flue to draw properly, as well as oxygen to burn. 
Small amounts of CO escaping over a long period can do irreparable damage to people.
Always worth getting a CO detector.

stuart45

laurencewhymark said:

I've not removed the covers, but I'm almost certain it isn't a simple air brick like the rest of the house... as it is higher and square. The others are 1-2 bricks above the damp course, and, well, brick-sized

Looking at the photo outside it looks like it's a vent kit with a cowled hood to stop wind blasting through. You should find the wall has been core drilled and a plastic liner pushed through the cavity.