Vents: Windows v Walls?

Cossax

Hi all,

Had inquired about getting insulation pumped into the walls (also getting a gas boiler installed, if that has any impact on the answer) and in order to avail of a grant for this I've been told I'll need vents, be they in the walls or in the windows.

As I'm replacing windows anyway, I had thought I'd just go with the limited disruption of getting the vents in the windows but the window installer is suggesting that wall vents are the better option. Is he just trying to make his own life that bit easier or are modern wall vents a better option than ones in the windows?

I'd be concerned about noise/wind blowing through the (seemingly) larger wall vents and it seems a bigger job to go drilling holes in walls. Any feedback appreciated!

Bad_alibi

If your getting the windows done make sure and use Airtightness tape to seal them back to the wall before you get the reveals replastered and don't let anyone convince you not to do this.

Dardania

I would rather wall vents than window vents, as you can put the wall vents higher up, which feels less draughty to people inside.

Basically, when the air enters, it will fall at a certain angle - from the wall vent, it falls froma higher starting point, so there is more distance in which it can mix with the existing air in the room, so as not to feel too cold.

Also, with wall vents, you can get the full area required by the building regs (which many window vents don't necessarily meet easily) and can also add on automatic control devices such as humidty dampers or outdoor temperature dampers to the wall vents too...

Citroen2cv

I got new windows recently and specced them to have trickle vents on the sashes. This trickle vent can be opened/closed easily. Will see how they work over the winter (do they provide enough ventilation), when drying clothes inside etc.
There are calculators to see how large a ventilation opening you require relative to size of room.

Hecklar

Wall vents will be more effective, though it depends on what type of construction the house uses as to whether cavity insulation is a good idea. A lot of older buildings are being ruined by having this stuff pumped into the cavity and trapping moisture in the walls, whether they have vents or not. Just something to keep in mind before ya pull the trigger.

Cossax

Dardania wrote: »

I would rather wall vents than window vents, as you can put the wall vents higher up, which feels less draughty to people inside.

Basically, when the air enters, it will fall at a certain angle - from the wall vent, it falls froma higher starting point, so there is more distance in which it can mix with the existing air in the room, so as not to feel too cold.

Also, with wall vents, you can get the full area required by the building regs (which many window vents don't necessarily meet easily) and can also add on automatic control devices such as humidty dampers or outdoor temperature dampers to the wall vents too...

Tell me more?

Dardania

Cossax wrote: »

Dardania wrote: »

I would rather wall vents than window vents, as you can put the wall vents higher up, which feels less draughty to people inside.

Basically, when the air enters, it will fall at a certain angle - from the wall vent, it falls froma higher starting point, so there is more distance in which it can mix with the existing air in the room, so as not to feel too cold.

Also, with wall vents, you can get the full area required by the building regs (which many window vents don't necessarily meet easily) and can also add on automatic control devices such as humidty dampers or outdoor temperature dampers to the wall vents too...

Tell me more?

Vent Axia do a range called Fresh Vent that can shut down when the weather outside is cold - I think they start closing when the outside if 5C, and are completely closed at -10C. Seems like a pretty smart idea to me... I looked up the price - can be a bit pricey in Ireland, but it's one of those things you'll only buy once...
Lindab I think are one of the importers
WHere I'm living at the moment (not Ireland) all the apartments come with a different make of them, so I'm quite interested to see how they actually perform over the winter.

And in my own home in Ireland, as part of a system, I have fitted the Aereco extract system, part of which has humidty controlled inlets - as the humidity in the room increases, the damper opens (as you obviously need fresh air to clear the damp air...). It works quite well, but needs to be part of an overall constant extract system so as to achieve the correct number of air changes. Made a hige difference to the comfort inside my 1950s block house (coupeld with insulation)

Both of these vent devices by the way can be spec'd with acoustic absorption material too, if that's important to you. Certianly in my home, it seems to be effective - when you open the window there's a sudden wall of noise