Ventilation - Wall Vents, Trickle Vents or Positive Ventilation

Mike Honcho · 10-08-2012 11:40AM #1

Hey guys,

I'm currently doing up a property. The house (bungalow) has wall vents in every room. We will be installing new windows into the property but the window company was wondering if we want trickle vents installed on/in the window frames.
I am wondering if we should have trickle vents on the windows , just stay with the standard wall vents or maybe go for a positive ventilation system such as the <SNIP>

I have no experience with the <SNIP> system or other systems like it. I have been reading up on how they work etc but I was hoping some of the professionals on here may have some advice, good or bad, regarding them.
Obviously if anyone has any experiences with any of the above please post your opinions.
Those that have recommendations for certain systems please let me know via PM as I believe it is against the forum charter to do so in the open forum.

Thanks in advance for your help.

muffler · 10-08-2012 01:12PM

Thread opened again following PM discussion with OP.

Mike Honcho · 17-08-2012 02:53PM

Hey guys, I've been doing some more reading up in this.
Does anyone what to jump in with an opinion ?
Thanks a mill

daver123 · 17-08-2012 02:59PM

The trickle vents on the windows will give u plenty of ventilation i would get them instead of the wall vents, you can get a gale of wind coming in through the wall vents on a exposed wall, its really personal choice.

fclauson · 17-08-2012 03:49PM

There is the maths of Part F regs for ventalaiton and then there is the practical what works

I would suggest you
a) determine what ventalaiton your need (read part F its fairly easy to follow)
b) work out if the vents in the windows will provide this

and then make the decision to swap them for "demand control" vents and a postitive extract system (MHRV probably would be price prohibative)

Most houses in this country have too little ventalation which is leading to mould and other sort of nasties.

Bathrooms and kitchens needs lots of ventalation - don;t skimp (again see Part F)

Personally I would go positive ventalation on an existing build

BarneyMc · 07-09-2012 09:29AM

I'm going to be soon replacing old aluminium windows in a 1970's house. The wall vents are blocked but the house is by no means air tight.

I assume I should get trickle vents added to the windows so it meets regs? Are they required in all habitable rooms, e.g. bedrooms, bathrooms, living rooms, kitchens...?

bbam · 07-09-2012 09:45AM

daver123 wrote: »

The trickle vents on the windows will give u plenty of ventilation i would get them instead of the wall vents, you can get a gale of wind coming in through the wall vents on a exposed wall, its really personal choice.

I would agree with this advice... We had wall vents in our last property and they were torture, draughty, noisy and cooled down rooms excessively..

We have trickle vents now and find them great, they ventilate a room without feeling like you have a small window open all the time.

BarneyMc · 07-09-2012 10:13AM

Thanks bbam. Can I ask what size the trickle vents are? I did get the bathroom window replaced about a year ago and in windy or very cold weather it does let in some cold air. It's one of those flap vents and is about 10 inches long.

engineermike · 07-09-2012 01:30PM

Hi,
Fully in agreement with facluson, make sure you meet TGD part F - at the minimum. There are a no. of solutions such as louvered vents & channels that allow the exchange of air but minimize wind pushing cold air into the property. Mostly used with Low energy / passive design, and there not cheap - for a bit of plastic!

For some practices / ideas on how to situate vents see:
http://www.new-learn.info/packages/clear/thermal/buildings/passive_system/passive_cooling/natural_ventilation/design.html

Mike F

BarneyMc · 07-09-2012 03:32PM

Where can I read TGD part F?

muffler · 07-09-2012 04:28PM

BarneyMc wrote: »

Where can I read TGD part F?

You'll find it in the bunch of TGDs here

just do it · 08-09-2012 09:59PM

I'd trickle vents installed into existing windows as there was no ventilation in the rooms at all. I believe all that was done was a few holes were drilled through the PVC frame and a vent was screwed over it. We have to shut them on a windy night due to the whistling sound! I like the room to be cool and thankfully so does my OH so we end up leaving a window open every night bar the coldest windiest nights. The trickle vent hasn't worked for us.

Now having said that they were retro-fitted and to my mind it was a shabby job. If they're designed into the frame the first day there shouldn't be an issue.

BarneyMc · 09-09-2012 12:51AM

I think it's mad that you have to drill holes into your window frame! Anyway getting to the point, when I go to sell the house will it be mandatory that ventilation is provided via trickle vents? If so then I'll put them in, if not I'll not!

engineermike · 09-09-2012 06:25PM

Hi,
It really doesn't matter how the ventilation is supplied, but it has to be there - trickle, background, positive & mechanical ventilation.

"Adequate means of ventilation shall be provided
for people in buildings. This shall be achieved by
a) limiting the moisture content of the air within
the building so that it does not contribute to
condensation and mould growth, and
b) limiting the concentration of harmful pollutants
in the air within the building."

If your trying to work it out yourself see TGD f & table 1 for room sizes and types of appropriate ventilation.
Also if you've a gas fire you need 2 wall vents, high & low placement on the wall.
Mikef

Ventilation - Wall Vents, Trickle Vents or Positive Ventilation

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