reduce noise from vents?

danindub

I've been searching and searching, googling and googling and can't find suitable solution

Just moved into a new house, new build. It has vents in all of the rooms. It's a corner house close to the road.

My problem is that there is incredible amount of noise coming from vents (especially ones facing the road). I got plastic adjustable covers (that can be opened/shut at will) but that didn't make much of a difference (they stop air, but not much of noise).

Then I used piece of cardbord and slipped it in between vent cover and a hole (effectively closing the vent). It worked like magic - I'd say 70% of noise is gone, but so is the ventilation...

I find it hard to believe that there is no some sort of material or insert I could use to eliminate the noise from entering though vent, while still letting air through (even if the amount of air passing through was to be reduced...)

Installation of heat recovery is not an option at this time.

Any advice would be most appreciated.

danindub

nobody?

ShiverinEskimo

Air vents come with noise - noise travels through air as a medium, you can't have one without the other usually. Are the holes through the wall straight? I'd have thought a step in the pipe/ducting could reduce it somewhat.

Is moving the vent to a wall not facing the road/noise an option?

Be careful about doing something that could impact ventilation for obvious reasons though.

BryanF

danindub wrote: »

1. Just moved into a new house, new build. It has vents in all of the rooms. It's a corner house close to the road.
2. My problem is that there is incredible amount of noise coming from vents (especially ones facing the road). I got plastic adjustable covers (that can be opened/shut at will) but that didn't make much of a difference (they stop air, but not much of noise).
3. Then I used piece of cardbord and slipped it in between vent cover and a hole (effectively closing the vent). It worked like magic - I'd say 70% of noise is gone, but so is the ventilation...
4. I find it hard to believe that there is no some sort of material or insert I could use to eliminate the noise from entering though vent, while still letting air through (even if the amount of air passing through was to be reduced...)
5. Installation of heat recovery is not an option at this time.

1. a new house built to 2011 part L regs? are the builders still within contract?
2. you need ventilation - closing the vents will lead to other problems particularly in a new house that need to vent all the new materials
3. just wait for the mould
4. any noise attenuator im aware of is generally associated with mechanical systems and so id presume in a manual scenario that using an acoustic material would limit ventilation and requirea larger vent ope
5. mvhr would solve your problem so why is it not an option? there are other vent system types that might help, that do not have a the heat recovery element and might be cheaper

ShiverinEskimo

BryanF wrote: »

mvhr would solve your problem so why is it not an option? there are other vent system types that might help, that do not have a the heat recovery element and might be cheaper

I'd imagine the cost, destruction and disruption would be the biggest obstacles. Not something that's easily and cheaply retrofitted I'd imagine.

danindub

BryanF wrote: »

1. a new house built to 2011 part L regs? are the builders still within contract?
2. you need ventilation - closing the vents will lead to other problems particularly in a new house that need to vent all the new materials
3. just wait for the mould
4. any noise attenuator im aware of is generally associated with mechanical systems and so id presume in a manual scenario that using an acoustic material would limit ventilation and requirea larger vent ope
5. mvhr would solve your problem so why is it not an option? there are other vent system types that might help, that do not have a the heat recovery element and might be cheaper

1) House was build in 2010 as far as I understand. What are 2011 part L regs? Yes they are, they are building more houses in the same development.
2) I know I do and I'd love to have it. I just need to get rid of the noise at least partially.
3) I've got humidity monitors around the house - never going above 55% which as I understand is almost perfect (with vents closed). Bathroom have mechanical fans as does the kitchen.
4) I can't remember ever before living in the place with any ventilation apart from old windows - no one can tell me that they provided half the ventilation a single vent in my house does.
5) It's not an option because it's not 2007 and I actually spend all my money on getting this house and all my credit card on making it livable. So I can't afford nor am I prepared to rip down freshly decorated walls just because of noise...

I cannot believe there is no simpler solution .I'm not saying I want to block noise completely, just reduce it. Even something simple like a little "labyrinth" made out of soundproof material that I could put into the vent should do it...

BryanF

ShiverinEskimo wrote: »

I'd imagine the cost, destruction and disruption would be the biggest obstacles. Not something that's easily and cheaply retrofitted I'd imagine.

i felt it prudent to ask:

noise = ongoing discomfort V cost

block up vents = health issues, mould & possible structural issues = cost to occupants pockets & health

maybe there are other options - as you suggest moving the vent might be an option

danindub

Just quick reply that moving vents is not an option. Some of the vents are not facing the road but still carry large amount of traffic noise. It's a end-of-terrace, so can't have vents on the opposite side of the house, unless I decide to vent into neighbours kitchen

ShiverinEskimo

So there are roads on both the front and sides of the house?

The only other suggestion I could come up with is to plant a fairly thick, dense row of trees or hedging or perhaps sound-deadening fencing (if such a thing can be found) on the boundary to diffuse the traffic noise.

I know they use both along motorways that are in proximation to residential areas to lessen the noise pollution. May work on a smaller scale.

beauf

You can put a cowl on them

http://rts.vents.co.uk/blog/index.php/product/aac125hpcw-rytons-cowled-super-acoustic-controllable-lookryt-aircore/#.UmZJC_msjTo

http://timloc.co.uk/products/underfloor-through-wall-ventilation/acoustic-ventilators-core-drill-db-anti-draught/

http://www.soundservice.co.uk/acoustic_vents.html

http://www.plumbingforless.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=9960

Baffles would also work, but would reduce the airflow. You'd have to be sure you had a safe airflow.

danindub

BTW I just checked the spec and it's build to 2008 part L regulations

danindub

beauf wrote: »

You can put a cowl on them

http://rts.vents.co.uk/blog/index.php/product/aac125hpcw-rytons-cowled-super-acoustic-controllable-lookryt-aircore/#.UmZJC_msjTo

http://timloc.co.uk/products/underfloor-through-wall-ventilation/acoustic-ventilators-core-drill-db-anti-draught/

http://www.soundservice.co.uk/acoustic_vents.html

http://www.plumbingforless.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=9960

Baffles would also work, but would reduce the airflow. You'd have to be sure you had a safe airflow.

I think this is pretty much what I am looking for, thanks!

You wouldn't know where I can get/see baffles by any chance would you? As a cheap-temporary solution?

beauf

The problem with making your own baffles is you might forget they are there, until there's a problem. Which could be deadly. So it would be unwise to say any more on that.

Better to get something that tested.

beauf

I've seen the cowls in B&Q and places like that.

Following one of those links back brought me to this.
http://www.stadiumbuildingproducts.com/ventilation/black-hole-ventilators-matrix.html

Maybe ring them and get advice. Maybe they know of a product to fit your ducts.

danindub

beauf wrote: »

I've seen the cowls in B&Q and places like that.

Following one of those links back brought me to this.
http://www.stadiumbuildingproducts.com/ventilation/black-hole-ventilators-matrix.html

Maybe ring them and get advice. Maybe they know of a product to fit your ducts.

Brilliant, thanks!

MicktheMan

danindub wrote: »

Any advice would be most appreciated.

You may also want to consider a continuous extract ventilation system perhaps through the roof. This way you might be able to permanently close the hole in wall vents and allow your dryer external ventilation air to enter the house through gaps/cracks in the house fabric.

Rowley Birkin QC

danindub wrote: »

I think this is pretty much what I am looking for, thanks!

You wouldn't know where I can get/see baffles by any chance would you? As a cheap-temporary solution?

Did you ever get this sorted?

I don't want to restrict the airflow, the room is perfectly warm with the vent open on full, but I do want to muffle the wind noise.