Air brick causing Draught.

[bertiebasset001]

Hi, I suppose this has been brought up before but I cannot seem to find it.
I have a 1936 town house (mid terrace) with back boiler in the living room. In the opposite corner about 18 inches below the ceiling is a vent and on the outside of the house is an air brick,,, one of those square things with lots of little square holes in it about 2 bricks worth. There are several at ground level and I know they are for keeping the underfloor vented (there is a void under the lounge floor about 2 foot deep). I realise the higher vent is required as airflow for the boiler/open gas fire but after living here for 37 years I am now retired and find the wind blowing in really affects the heat in the room especially if the wind is blowing onto the front of the property. Would it be okay to put a cowl/hood type of cover on the outside,, I have seen them on fleabay that slope from top to leave a large gap at the bottom but wondered if they would make the problem worse by funneling the wind.
Sure someone out there can help me
thanks
Robert

 

[footprints]

Best solution might be to replace with a draughtbuster vent scroll down the page to find them.

http://www.bes.co.uk/products/176.asp

You will need the correct size for your boiler, your servicing engineer should be able to advise.

 

[theprinceofdarkness]

You are living with 1930s technology, when people were more hardy and fuel was cheaper.
I would block off the high level vent and replace it with vents in the floor either side of the chimney breast. This will ensure that the path for the cold air does not flow past your head on its way to the fire. This will actually as a side effect improve the underfloor ventilation, as the draw from the fire will suck air out of the underfloor void , even when there is no wind.
In a previous house I actually cut an air pipe in through the fire hearth to suck air from under the floor and this was for a 120,000 BTHu boiler. it was too effective and had to be partially blocked else the suction due to the high flue would blow out the pilot.
Frank

 

[bertiebasset001]

Hi and thanks for the replies. The fire sits on a concrete plinth and the alcoves either side are boxed in with with a brick feature. Also that wall backs onto the entry, so, whilst the underfloor void is well ventilated, I would worry about a build up of carbon monoxide if I closed off the existing vent which is why I am asking if it would compromise the required airflow by fitting a cowl/hood over the existing air brick.
Robert