Vents in new house

Tim Robbins

Hi,
Just moved into a new house that is B1. However, it's kinda of cold. The vents inthe kitchen, sitting room let seem to be letting in a significant amout of air. You can close these? Is this right?

You can close the upstairs one but not the downstairs ones.

Advice appreciated.

fclauson

NO - do not close any vents otherwise you will suffer poor air quality, and potentially mould and other nasties build up

suggest you google "demand control ventalation" and read up on their products

Tim Robbins

fclauson wrote: »

NO - do not close any vents otherwise you will suffer poor air quality, and potentially mould and other nasties build up

suggest you google "demand control ventalation" and read up on their products

Thanks. Just wondering is there any official regs or advice here?

Builder this morning said that he had to do it that way because he had to build to specs. What a load of cr*p!! So does this mean if I put in some fancy valve system I have violated specs!

daver123

if you want to close a vent go ahead, it just means that there will be no fresh air circulating, i have to close the trickle vents on my house sometimes, if it is too windy or the next door neighbour is lighting a fire, i would not close the vent in the kitchen beside the gas boiler

BryanF

Tim Robbins wrote: »

Thanks. Just wondering is there any official regs or advice here?

Builder this morning said that he had to do it that way because he had to build to specs. What a load of cr*p!! So does this mean if I put in some fancy valve system I have violated specs!

Offical regs search : technical Guidance document F
I don't understand your second question? Speak to your architect about air-tightness and ventilation strategys

daver123 wrote: »

if you want to close a vent go ahead, it just means that there will be no fresh air circulating, i have to close the trickle vents on my house sometimes, if it is too windy or the next door neighbour is lighting a fire, i would not close the vent in the kitchen beside the gas boiler

It will mean more than 'no feah air' for many homes, ventilation is required in our climate to reduce internal RH, a major factor to be considered due to the types of structure and the way we live. These vent (or someform of mech system) is even more relevant In a new house that is drying out!

daver123

It will mean more than 'no feah air' for many homes, ventilation is required in our climate to reduce internal RH, a major factor to be considered due to the types of structure and the way we live. These vent (or someform of mech system) is even more relevant In a new house that is drying out!

If a vent is a nuisance and is allowing in too much air then it is your choice if you want to close it, it doesn't have to be kept open just because the regs say so. If you need ventilation then you can just open a window and close it when you feel like it.

BryanF

daver123 wrote: »

If a vent is a nuisance and is allowing in too much air then it is your choice if you want to close it, it doesn't have to be kept open just because the regs say so. If you need ventilation then you can just open a window and close it when you feel like it.

Your choice agreed. In the context of the previos poster, Such advice to a new build is not appropriate IMO, as someone who certifys home for building regulations. If the poster or their advisors had Considered the question sooner they could have planned for a better solution

Tim Robbins

BryanF wrote: »

Your choice agreed. In the context of the previos poster, Such advice to a new build is not appropriate IMO, as someone who certifys home for building regulations. If the poster or their advisors had Considered the question sooner they could have planned for a better solution

When people buy a B1 , they think they are getting a warm house and that is what the deal is with the B1. They will save on heating bills etc.

When you have a massive vent, your house can be freezing. I lived in an apartment which came in at a level E and it was way warming than something coming it at B1.

Only in Ireland could you get this type of nonsense.

BryanF

There are often threads on here where new and old homes suffer from mould etc. in many cases this is down to a lack of or inappropriate ventilation..

daver123

BryanF wrote: »

There are often threads on here where new and old homes suffer from mould etc. in many cases this is down to a lack of or inappropriate ventilation..

Mould will happen where people dry wet clothes in a house on a radiator in the middle of winter, no ventialtion will stop that or else there is no extractor in a ensuite / bathroom

Tim Robbins

daver123 wrote: »

Mould will happen where people dry wet clothes in a house on a radiator in the middle of winter, no ventialtion will stop that or else there is no extractor in a ensuite / bathroom

Every room in this house has a window. In fact one thing that attracted me to the house was every bathroom had a window. But they are all freezing.

It just seems ridiculous you buy a top spec house and in September you are thinking about putting newspaper in your vents.

codie

daver123 wrote: »

If a vent is a nuisance and is allowing in too much air then it is your choice if you want to close it, it doesn't have to be kept open just because the regs say so. If you need ventilation then you can just open a window and close it when you feel like it.

I had to seal up my vents because of noise.My neighbour has 2 very annoying dogs that bark a lot.Then I put in window vents.Delighted with them.They work a treat.I open them all day and usually shut them going to bed.They seem to leave plenty of fresh air in and you can leave them open when away if you choose without having security issues.