Excessive cold air from air vent

masterboy123

We bought a new home with A3 energy rating. But the air vent in bedroom is providing cold air in excess at night, to an extent that I can feel the air gusts on my skull and it's very uncomfortable.

Builder says he can't block the air vents. Is there an alternative option to solve this issue? Any advice?

My neighbour has put up duct tape covering half of the vent. But it doesn't look great aesthetically.

Please see attached image of air vent:

Biker1

Anti draught vents are widely available and should do the trick. Because this is your only means of ventilation under no circumstances should you restrict the airflow like your neighbour did.

masterboy123

Thanks for the tip.

I will check it out now.

Is it DIY job?

Biker1 wrote: »

Anti draught vents are widely available and should do the trick. Because this is your only means of ventilation under no circumstances should you restrict the airflow like your neighbour did.

Yellow_Fern

The vent is there incase you close the windows. In other countries such vents are not needed as people are aware of the importance of opening the windows daily.

Water John

These heat exchange vents have been mentioned in another thread. I have no experience of them but it's an interesting option. It's a heat exchanger. Beware it requires a 6 inch vent.
https://www.google.com/search?q=suedwind%3A+ambientika+solo&oq=s&aqs=chrome.2.69i57j69i59l3j46i131i199i291i433j0i131i433j46i131i199i291i433j0i271.3140j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057496673&page=5

con747

masterboy123 wrote: »

We bought a new home with A3 energy rating. But the air vent in bedroom is providing cold air in excess at night, to an extent that I can feel the air gusts on my skull and it's very uncomfortable.

Builder says he can't block the air vents. Is there an alternative option to solve this issue? Any advice?

My neighbour has put up duct tape covering half of the vent. But it doesn't look great aesthetically.

Please see attached image of air vent:

Put something like this in, if your handy with diy should be easy enough. Just measure the dimensions on the hole. https://www.goodwins.ie/products/anti-draught-black-hole-ventilator-bm725-white-outer-cowl-3461399.html?filter_set[]=1413,1453,1497

masterboy123

300€ looks expensive to me plus installation cost

Water John wrote: »

These heat exchange vents have been mentioned in another thread. I have no experience of them but it's an interesting option. It's a heat exchanger. Beware it requires a 6 inch vent.
https://www.google.com/search?q=suedwind%3A+ambientika+solo&oq=s&aqs=chrome.2.69i57j69i59l3j46i131i199i291i433j0i131i433j46i131i199i291i433j0i271.3140j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057496673&page=5

masterboy123

Will this effect the BER rating?

I will check if there is a 6 inch hole in the wall.

con747 wrote: »

Put something like this in, if your handy with diy should be easy enough. Just measure the dimensions on the hole. https://www.goodwins.ie/products/anti-draught-black-hole-ventilator-bm725-white-outer-cowl-3461399.html?filter_set[]=1413,1453,1497

Telly

Is it just the inside vent? We have one of these and close the shutter in the winter. We got them in B&Q for a tenner yrs ago.

sydthebeat

masterboy123 wrote: »

Will this effect the BER rating?

I will check if there is a 6 inch hole in the wall.

From a BER point of view, If it's closeable it doesn't count and your BER improves.

If it's non closeable it counts as ventilation losses

masterboy123

This looks good and cheap option. I wonder if this will cause development of mould?

Telly wrote: »

Is it just the inside vent? We have one of these and close the shutter in the winter. We got them in B&Q for a tenner yrs ago.

steamsey

You cold try the internal close-able vent. Close when windy or very cold. But probably a good idea in an A3 home to open very regularly to refresh air.

You could also try a DR21 external draught reducing vent cover. Pretty easy to install if you can get to external vent.

Two threads on them here. They work.

Not much point in having an A3 house if cold air is blasting in all winter.

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057939173

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=109987340

Water John

The item I put up would be a Heat Recovery gizmo. Houses that are A3 should have a full heat recovery ventilation system. That costs €5/6K.

Telly

masterboy123 wrote: »

This looks good and cheap option. I wonder if this will cause development of mould?

We’ve had these years and not a sign of mould

KungPao

Water John wrote: »

These heat exchange vents have been mentioned in another thread. I have no experience of them but it's an interesting option. It's a heat exchanger. Beware it requires a 6 inch vent.
https://www.google.com/search?q=suedwind%3A+ambientika+solo&oq=s&aqs=chrome.2.69i57j69i59l3j46i131i199i291i433j0i131i433j46i131i199i291i433j0i271.3140j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057496673&page=5

Does anyone have an idea of how much one of these would cost inc installation (hole needs drilling)?

We will be getting new windows (planning to lose the trickle vents) so will need ventilation. Would be very interested in a few of these - maybe just downstairs.

Would love a proper ducted heat recovery sytem upstairs. A idea of price if you know would be super too. Cheers.

masterboy123

I have checked the dimensions of our vents and it is 25 cm (width) x 17 cm (height).

I can't seem to find this in local stores yesterday which were open.

Any idea where I could find it?

Telly wrote: »

We’ve had these years and not a sign of mould

downwesht

Turn the vent upside down,you will have the same ventilation but the draught will be directed towards the ceiling,I did this and it worked.

Water John

KungPao wrote: »

Does anyone have an idea of how much one of these would cost inc installation (hole needs drilling)?

We will be getting new windows (planning to lose the trickle vents) so will need ventilation. Would be very interested in a few of these - maybe just downstairs.

Would love a proper ducted heat recovery sytem upstairs. A idea of price if you know would be super too. Cheers.

Don't know, Probably have to get the units yourself and then having a handyman to install, if you can find one. Reaming a 5 or 6 inch hole doesn't qualify as fun.
If you're looking at a MHRV system for upstairs it would make sense to make it whole house, usually €5/6K. Really only necessary and worthwhile where a building is well sealed.

KungPao

Water John wrote: »

Don't know, Probably have to get the units yourself and then having a handyman to install, if you can find one. Reaming a 5 or 6 inch hole doesn't qualify as fun.
If you're looking at a MHRV system for upstairs it would make sense to make it whole house, usually €5/6K. Really only necessary and worthwhile where a building is well sealed.

Cheers.


Yeah, I had to drill, drill, and drill again, then bash through recently for a kitchen extractor - definitely not fun, hoping to avoid having to do it again. Handyman probably for the best.

homewardbound11

The BER specialists will know this here but is it even possible to get a BER of A3 without controlled ventilation?

Biker1

Not only is it possible to achieve an A3 with natural ventilation it is acceptable in the 2019 reg's. Utter madness!!

sydthebeat

Biker1 wrote: »

Not only is it possible to achieve an A3 with natural ventilation it is acceptable in the 2019 reg's. Utter madness!!

2019 regs are bringing ratings to A2

And under tgd f 2019 every air tightness test that is less than 3 m3/hr/m2 requires MHRV.

TheChizler

Water John wrote: »

These heat exchange vents have been mentioned in another thread. I have no experience of them but it's an interesting option. It's a heat exchanger. Beware it requires a 6 inch vent.
https://www.google.com/search?q=suedwind%3A+ambientika+solo&oq=s&aqs=chrome.2.69i57j69i59l3j46i131i199i291i433j0i131i433j46i131i199i291i433j0i271.3140j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057496673&page=5

I was thinking these sounded great but something was niggling at me, I just realized they might have a fundamental flaw. These work by extracting air at say 17 litres/s for 70 seconds, with the heat from the air accumulating in the ceramic, then reversing the flow for another 70 seconds, dumping the stored heat into the house in the fresh air, most of the heat is recovered. Sounds great.

Until you realize that the 1190 litres of stale air extracted has to be immediately replaced with air from somewhere else: leaks elsewhere in the house. The same is true when the flow is reversed and 1190 litres of fresh air pumped into the house has the displace the same amount, which is pushed out though those same leaks. So effectively you have this heat exchanger, which is theoretically 96% efficient in its own right, alternatively causing the same amount of warm air elsewhere to be dumped directly outside, and cold air drawn in. Is this any better than a basic extractor fan? Maybe it only loses half the heat as a normal fan?

Water John

You raise a very pertinent point. It's a cheapish solution to a problem. Possibly a second basic vent in a cool part of the house.

OP that's a very large vent? In old money that's 10 inch by 6.5 inches.

un5byh7sqpd2x0

Water John wrote: »

You raise a very pertinent point. It's a cheapish solution to a problem. Possibly a second basic vent in a cool part of the house.

OP that's a very large vent? In old money that's 10 inch by 6.5 inches.

I'd suspect those are the dimensions of the vent cover.

masterboy123

Vent cover is 25 cm (width) x 17 cm (height), which is almost the same in inches that you have posted.

Water John wrote: »

You raise a very pertinent point. It's a cheapish solution to a problem. Possibly a second basic vent in a cool part of the house.

OP that's a very large vent? In old money that's 10 inch by 6.5 inches.

FitzElla

I posted another thread on a similar problem. It is a little frustrating to find an A3 house that is super air tight and insulated and then find vents (aka big holes in the wall) everywhere as acceptable ventilation.

Has anyone retrofitted MHRV have an idea of cost? Would it be possible to re-use the existing MEV extract ducting? Would only mean having to put in the supply side which would be mostly upstairs.

TheChizler

FitzElla wrote: »

Has anyone retrofitted MHRV have an idea of cost? Would it be possible to re-use the existing MEV extract ducting? Would only mean having to put in the supply side which would be mostly upstairs.

Tangent to the conversation but I wonder would it be possible to install ducting through a disused chimney flue? In my house that would allow direct ventilation to every room without any visible ducting.

un5byh7sqpd2x0

I've exactly the same problem as the OP, also in an A3 house. My house came with the "hit & miss" vent covers internally which are as useful as a chocolate teapot when closed as the draft (and the light & noise) still comes in through them.

masterboy123

Our vents do not even have the options to cover it.

I am searching online if I can get a cover slider if at all possible?

Thank you all.

Athena Quiet Sandalwood wrote: »

I've exactly the same problem as the OP, also in an A3 house. My house came with the "hit & miss" vent covers internally which are as useful as a chocolate teapot when closed as the draft (and the light & noise) still comes in through them.

listermint

Just get the square covers which push the air out to the sides the direct it correctly flat to the wall rather than out on you. Your measuring in wrong btw. Measure just the pipe diameter that's what your covering should be 110mm. Take off old vent fit new. Paint wall around.


Also tell your neighbour to take his tape off. He will get mould in his bedroom. That's not where you want it .

masterboy123

Yes, i am trying to find the white square cover which has a slider.
Alternatively, I am thinking to put the vents upside down, that way the air will be pushed upwards.

I am trying to find it online but no luck. If someone could please post link to purchase it online.

listermint wrote: »

Just get the square covers which push the air out to the sides the direct it correctly flat to the wall rather than out on you.


Also tell your neighbour to take his tape off. He will get mould in his bedroom. That's not where you want it .

blackbox

It seems crazy to insulate a house carefully to achieve an A rating and then poke a big hole in the wall.

OP, if there is air coming in, there must also be air going out. Have you tried draught-proofing your bedroom door to stop the air current?

Water John

Hopefully Woodies are still doing online;
https://www.woodies.ie/ventilation-9-x3-white-plastic-adjustable-vent-347044

listermint

masterboy123 wrote: »

Yes, i am trying to find the white square cover which has a slider.
Alternatively, I am thinking to put the vents upside down, that way the air will be pushed upwards.

I am trying to find it online but no luck. If someone could please post link to purchase it online.

White square covers with sliders are gak. They're straight out of the 80s it's horrendous builders are still even putting that crap on your house there. The vent bears no resemblance to the hole.

Get a 110mm circle vent with closer if you must. They are on eBay. Make sure yours is 110mm. If not get the square ones which direct air left and right .

Avoid the rectangular ones with abundance. The circle ones are about 4 euro on eBay replace all them in your house it will look. Neater and like it should have if the builders bothered their arse.

listermint

listermint wrote: »

White square covers with sliders are gak. They're straight out of the 80s it's horrendous builders are still even putting that crap on your house there. The vent bears no resemblance to the hole.

Get a 110mm circle vent with closer if you must. They are on eBay. Make sure yours is 110mm. If not get the square ones which direct air left and right .

Avoid the rectangular ones with abundance. The circle ones are about 4 euro on eBay replace all them in your house it will look. Neater and like it should have if the builders bothered their arse.

This is mine. Fitted myself

masterboy123

Adjustable Air Vent, HG POWER 4" Ventilation Grille Cover Stainless Steel Extractor Outlet for Bathroom Office Kitchen Ventilation https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07QNWP73P/ref=cm_sw_r_wa_apa_i_qbZKFb593AM8M?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

How's this guys??

masterboy123

I have checked, the diameter of vent is 15 cm.

listermint wrote: »

Get a 110mm circle vent with closer if you must. They are on eBay. Make sure yours is 110mm. If not get the square ones which direct air left and right .

MicktheMan

sydthebeat wrote: »

2019 regs are bringing ratings to A2

And under tgd f 2019 every air tightness test that is less than 3 m3/hr/m2 requires MHRV.

And, imo, if over 3 m3/hr/m2 is truly a wasted opportunity!

spose

FitzElla wrote: »

I posted another thread on a similar problem. It is a little frustrating to find an A3 house that is super air tight and insulated and then find vents (aka big holes in the wall) everywhere as acceptable ventilation.

Has anyone retrofitted MHRV have an idea of cost? Would it be possible to re-use the existing MEV extract ducting? Would only mean having to put in the supply side which would be mostly upstairs.

I did a retrofit. We were doing work on the house anyway which meant I could get access to the downstairs rooms. Spent 4K on all the kit

pablo57

listermint wrote: »

This is mine. Fitted myself

Thanks for this (and to everyone on the thread for sharing their experiences) - just ordered a few to try to sort out some seriously draughty rooms we've had all winter.

Wonder if any of you have any suggestions for the predicament I've attached. Just one of several joyous bits of work we've encountered in a house we bought 2 years ago. These rectangular grilles are throughout the house, all fitted horizontally except for this one, and I always knew there was a reason! Is a smaller square adjustable grille my only option here?

EVGR

If the duct size is 100mm and there is no fire or boiler in the room, you can try these https://munsterdiy.com/collections/ventilation-products/products/wall-vent

The square is about 16x16cm. Would that suit your space?

I'm surprised I see so few recommendations for them. Do people dont know they exist?

realflash17

I am in the final stages of a build and I can already see the issue raised by the OP being an issue for us on a couple of 6" vents on the bedrooms that may catch the south westerly wind.

At the moment the steel vent covers are on the outside, plastered in.

I still have open access to the pipe from the inside and I am contemplating reducing the size of the pipe in the middle from 6" to 3" by inserting in a 3" pvc pipe tilting outwards and insulating around it with foam, then a close-able cover on the inside(that hopefully does not have to be ever closed unless stormy). I think/hope that should supply plenty of fresh air on a daily basis in addition to windows being opened in morning too.

I would monitor for first 6 months and see how it goes, inspecting pipe for any moisture build up etc and possibly even removing the 3" in the future if room temperature was comfortable and see how that goes.

Anyone done anything similar?

I know of a few people who have moved into new homes and blocked up vents already which does seem madness. Not saying my idea is ideal either but hoping a reduction in pipe size might find a nice balance between comfort and fresh air supply.

Biker1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118192024#Comment_118192024

As it's a new build the only way you can have natural ventilation is if your airtightness test result is between 3 and 5m3/hr/m2. As most houses are coming in below 3m3/hr/m2 the requirement is for either mechanical extract or MVHR. With mechanical extract you only need wall vents with an equivalent opening of 2500m2 in each habitable room.(less than 70mm diameter) For natural ventilation you may require more than one 150mm diameter hole, depending on the size of the room. New houses with natural ventilation are known as swiss cheese houses because of this.