Air Vents in apt

MickeyD

I'm in a (rented) apt and now that its getting colder i was looking at closing/covering the air vents. Main reason for this is that I work from home sometimes and I don't want to have the heating on all day. Anytime it's windy, I get huge gusts coming in through the vents so there's almost no point in having the heating on at all!

Everything is electric here so I think there's a lower risk of CO (I plan on buying an alarm anyway). I do realise you need some sort of ventilation to maintain air quality so I'd like to have the vents/windows open when I'm not in that room or I'm not in the house. Problem is there's currently no apparent way to adjust the vent openings without changing the cover or blocking it completely with a load of clothes or something.

so:
a) is it ok to block/close the vents in the above situation, and if not is my only option to blast on the heat all day?
b) can you buy replacement vent covers that let you slide them open & closed?

heinbloed

b) can you buy replacement vent covers that let you slide them open & closed?

Yes. There is a good choice out there. Some have an automatic timer build in, others work with a pressure diffential, others again with a CO2 sensor or a thermometer. A simple heat exchanger is recommended if going for automatic or permanent ventilation.
Contact a ventilation specialist, the factory trained DIY 'builders' will sell you any rubbish. So better ask an independant specialist.
To give a ball park figure: for a 40m2 room expect a €400.- device, electronically controlled and with a heat exchanger. These small room devices can be installed by the DIYer.

There are much cheaper plain covers for existing ventilation holes, check the DIY market. Take the old cover with you to see what they have suitable for your purpose. Here the price (hole cover only) starts at around €5.-.

MickeyD

Cheers. It's rented accom so I won't be forking out that sort of money for a fancy one, unless I somehow get the landlord to cover it (doubtful). Will check out a replacement cover though, thanks.

Micky Dolenz

CO is only produced in an area where there is carbon based fuels being burnt. For example, anything that burns, coal, wood, turf, open fire/stove. Oil, gas stove or boiler.

There are a lot of cheap closable vents on the market. If you were to have a fire place in a room a unclosable vent is needed.

MickeyD

Everything's electric, immersion for water, storage heaters and electric cooker. no fireplace. Some of the attached apartments may have them though, or gas heating. I guess there's a risk of CO leaking in from other apartments if that's the case.

Micky Dolenz

MickeyD wrote: »

Everything's electric, immersion for water, storage heaters and electric cooker. no fireplace. Some of the attached apartments may have them though, or gas heating. I guess there's a risk of CO leaking in from other apartments if that's the case.

Highly unlikely unless a flue system runs through the property.

MicktheMan

In your case, CO may not be an issue but moisture will be. If you close vents you significantly increase the risk of high humidity, condensation and mould growth.

MickeyD

Aye, that's why I'd like to have closable ones so I can leave it open when I'm not in that particular room (e.g not working from home, out in the pub). In an ideal world id have it open all the time but I don't really get how insulation and heating is any good when you have a constant stream of cold air blowing into the room.