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Phil L

wrote:
Within the last year we moved house into a newish build (circa 96).

In the lounge there is a vent grill near the skirting, which
corresponds with a matching grill on the outside wall. In the summer
we didn't notice it, but now it's getting colder we can feel a massive
cold draught being generated by it.

Why do such vents exist? It is to prevent damp problems?

No, it's there to allow you to live.

Can we cover it over in the winter? Surely it will send our heating
bill through the roof if we don't!

If you cover it, you won't get any more heating bills at all.

They were largely unneccesary in old houses, what with loose fitting doors
and window frames that allowed gale force winds through, this coupled with
lots of other draughts allowed the fire to perform perfectly well, once pvc
came along and insulation, draughtproofing and all manner of other devices
to keep fresh air out, people were dropping like flies until someone
realised that fires/chimneys need ventilation at both ends.