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UK diy (uk.d-i-y) For the discussion of all topics related to diy (do-it-yourself) in the UK. All levels of experience and proficency are welcome to join in to ask questions or offer solutions. |
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#1
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Our old redundant chimney/boiler flue leads to empty airing cupboard
downstairs. Theoretically it makes a great path for internal ventilation however, natural operation of chimney means the open vent (12" square hole) sucks whenever the wind blows. Due to UPVC glazing etc, there is virtually no other air inlet downstairs. Is it possible to replace the flue top (chimney bit) with one that doesn't naturally exhaust when the wind passes over/through or should I be looking at another way of getting air into the house? Cheers Pete -- http://gymratz.co.uk - Best Gym Equipment & Bodybuilding Supplements UK. http://trade-price-supplements.co.uk - TRADE PRICED SUPPLEMENTS for ALL! http://fitness-equipment-uk.com - UK's No.1 Fitness Equipment Suppliers. http://gymratz.co.uk/hot-seat.htm - Live web-cam! (sometimes) |
#2
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![]() "Pet @ www.gymratz.co.uk" wrote in message ... Our old redundant chimney/boiler flue leads to empty airing cupboard downstairs. Theoretically it makes a great path for internal ventilation however, natural operation of chimney means the open vent (12" square hole) sucks whenever the wind blows. Due to UPVC glazing etc, there is virtually no other air inlet downstairs. Is it possible to replace the flue top (chimney bit) with one that doesn't naturally exhaust when the wind passes over/through or should I be looking at another way of getting air into the house? Cheers Pete You should already have air bricks in the outer skin of the house walls. These air bricks allow air to circulate under the floor spaces and things to keep them from becoming to dry and rotten. If the old chimney is already sucking with all the windows and doors closed, then air must already be getting in to the house from somewhere, or you'd all be choking for breath with the air being sucked out and none getting in. You don't want to many air changes in the main bulk of the building or you'd lose all your heating and things. A more natural and gentle ventilation, probably like you already have, is what you should aim for. There are set sort of guidelines for home ventilation requirements, mainly in kitchens and bathrooms because of smells and damp air issues, but they are not huge amounts of air changes that need great big holes to the outside world everywhere. A comfortable amount is two or three air changes an hour in the living rooms and things, and this in an average sized house. Why do you think you need some extra ventilation? Are you feeling symptoms of drowsiness or headaches when your sitting about relaxing in your underwear? |
#3
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BigWallop wrote:
You should already have air bricks in the outer skin of the house walls. These air bricks allow air to circulate under the floor spaces and things to keep them from becoming to dry and rotten. If the old chimney is already sucking with all the windows and doors closed, then air must already be getting in to the house from somewhere, or you'd all be choking for breath with the air being sucked out and none getting in. There are no air bricks as the house is built into a hill, so ground floor bedrooms/bathrooms are solid floor. There is the obglitary "vents" in the top od the UPVC patio doors in the master bedroom, but there is so much air routed through the vent the bedrrom floor becomes icy cold. The only othe vent downstairs is the extractor fan in the bathroom which struggles to suck anything when the chimney is trying to take away our breath. :¬) Oh, and at the moment there is no loft hatch so there's the only other vent which will in time become pretty much sealed. The draw on the chimney makes the vented bedroom bang with each gust, so air changes are based around one very direct pathway through the bedroom and along the hall the oop 't chimney. (if that all makes sense) Why do you think you need some extra ventilation? Are you feeling symptoms of drowsiness or headaches when your sitting about relaxing in your underwear? No, just a damp problem that required (in the past when we were living there) a dehumidifier to be running most days. Oh, there is a kitchen extrator hood and will be a new vent in the upstairs shower room for extractor fan, so a couple of small vents to the upstairs living area. -- http://gymratz.co.uk - Best Gym Equipment & Bodybuilding Supplements UK. http://trade-price-supplements.co.uk - TRADE PRICED SUPPLEMENTS for ALL! http://fitness-equipment-uk.com - UK's No.1 Fitness Equipment Suppliers. http://gymratz.co.uk/hot-seat.htm - Live web-cam! (sometimes) |
#4
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![]() "Pet @ www.gymratz.co.uk" wrote in message ... BigWallop wrote: You should already have air bricks in the outer skin of the house walls. These air bricks allow air to circulate under the floor spaces and things to keep them from becoming to dry and rotten. If the old chimney is already sucking with all the windows and doors closed, then air must already be getting in to the house from somewhere, or you'd all be choking for breath with the air being sucked out and none getting in. There are no air bricks as the house is built into a hill, so ground floor bedrooms/bathrooms are solid floor. There is the obglitary "vents" in the top od the UPVC patio doors in the master bedroom, but there is so much air routed through the vent the bedrrom floor becomes icy cold. The only othe vent downstairs is the extractor fan in the bathroom which struggles to suck anything when the chimney is trying to take away our breath. :¬) Oh, and at the moment there is no loft hatch so there's the only other vent which will in time become pretty much sealed. The draw on the chimney makes the vented bedroom bang with each gust, so air changes are based around one very direct pathway through the bedroom and along the hall the oop 't chimney. (if that all makes sense) Why do you think you need some extra ventilation? Are you feeling symptoms of drowsiness or headaches when your sitting about relaxing in your underwear? No, just a damp problem that required (in the past when we were living there) a dehumidifier to be running most days. Oh, there is a kitchen extrator hood and will be a new vent in the upstairs shower room for extractor fan, so a couple of small vents to the upstairs living area. So all you really have is a load of air extraction systems and no air intakes. Boy, are you asking for trouble. :-) It would be best to install a couple of high level air inlet points on your downstairs floor. Keep them up near to the ceiling height so they don't suck cold air in at floor level and have your feet freezing in the winter months. They should be large enough to allow enough air in to the building for good air change rates, about two or three per hour for cosy living areas, but small enough not to allow to much cold air in to the place and drag out all your heating. With new air intakes on an open side of the house, and the natural chimney effect from the old flue, you should then have a comfortable living area that stops you feeling drowsy and too cold. |
#5
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BigWallop wrote:
It would be best to install a couple of high level air inlet points on your downstairs floor. Keep them up near to the ceiling height so they don't suck cold air in at floor level and have your feet freezing in the winter months. Presumably then a retro fitting of window vents into the other 3 bedrooms and one in the boiler room door will spread the air intake across all bedrooms reducing the surges in the main bedroom (only vented one) I am presuming you can just buy and "cut in" window vents to UPVC window frames? which would be better than a brickwork/ducting alternative? TIA Pete -- http://gymratz.co.uk - Best Gym Equipment & Bodybuilding Supplements UK. http://trade-price-supplements.co.uk - TRADE PRICED SUPPLEMENTS for ALL! http://fitness-equipment-uk.com - UK's No.1 Fitness Equipment Suppliers. http://gymratz.co.uk/hot-seat.htm - Live web-cam! (sometimes) |
#6
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![]() "Pet @ www.gymratz.co.uk" wrote in message k... BigWallop wrote: It would be best to install a couple of high level air inlet points on your downstairs floor. Keep them up near to the ceiling height so they don't suck cold air in at floor level and have your feet freezing in the winter months. Presumably then a retro fitting of window vents into the other 3 bedrooms and one in the boiler room door will spread the air intake across all bedrooms reducing the surges in the main bedroom (only vented one) I am presuming you can just buy and "cut in" window vents to UPVC window frames? which would be better than a brickwork/ducting alternative? TIA Pete That sounds a good way round it. I don't know what type of windows you have, but I'd expect there should be something in the way of vents available for them. If no vent systems are forth coming for the windows, then a series of 10 mm or 16 mm holes drilled through the walls, at close to ceiling height, would do just as well. You can buy cheap and cheerful plastic grilles for the inside and outside to make the holes look pretty. Remember not to get external grilles with anti-blow back flaps, and make sure the grilles for the outside have insect mesh installed in them You don't need a hell of a lot of air intake, just enough to keep the air circulating rather than dragging directly through the house. |
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