Tue, 19 Dec 2023 04:01:50 +0000 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18048&Focus=304586#Comment_304586 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18048&Focus=304586#Comment_304586 Wed, 13 Dec 2023 21:37:06 +0000 huwrugby
Could I simply fill the interior end of the duct with insulation or better, seal over with cement mix?

On the exterior I would be able to access the vent but only able to seal the external block & not the inner without major excavation within the room. Am I better leaving the duct & vent externally open or somehow insulating the ducting without ending up with the ducting being open to the cavity.

I hope this forum may be able to offer some advice & suggestions.

Huw]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18048&Focus=304588#Comment_304588 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18048&Focus=304588#Comment_304588 Wed, 13 Dec 2023 22:22:22 +0000 huwrugby http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18048&Focus=304589#Comment_304589 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18048&Focus=304589#Comment_304589 Wed, 13 Dec 2023 22:25:04 +0000 huwrugby http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18048&Focus=304590#Comment_304590 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18048&Focus=304590#Comment_304590 Wed, 13 Dec 2023 22:25:21 +0000 huwrugby http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18048&Focus=304603#Comment_304603 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18048&Focus=304603#Comment_304603 Thu, 14 Dec 2023 22:04:07 +0000 tony http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18048&Focus=304608#Comment_304608 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18048&Focus=304608#Comment_304608 Fri, 15 Dec 2023 09:24:56 +0000 djh http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18048&Focus=304641#Comment_304641 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18048&Focus=304641#Comment_304641 Sat, 16 Dec 2023 22:01:06 +0000 huwrugby
I've looked at the gas regulations & I think that if the fire generated 7kW then a duct was needed but the installed fire was 6.85kW: I wonder if they prepped it then tried to block it when fire was actually installed.

At this point would there be any benefit in tipping in more insulation such as polystyrene balls from above if it already has an effective wedge of insulation at the bottom. Presumably I could also cement over the internal gap in the corner of fireplace to optimise the airtightness?

On the subject of airtightness I am concious that whilst it is a relatively leaky late 90's house with timber sash windows with trickle vents, 3 bathroom extract vents (on-suite running on continuous background with boost), as well as a toilet extract, a kitchen cooker hood and utility room with alternate flow heat recovery we run humidity at around 60% but retrofiting MHVR over 4 floors would only be feasible as part of a very large scale project.]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18048&Focus=304647#Comment_304647 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18048&Focus=304647#Comment_304647 Sun, 17 Dec 2023 16:42:05 +0000 djh
I'm not clear what you're talking about when you talk about tipping EPS balls in from above? I'm probably being stupid.

Removing the external grille and making good is a cosmetic exercise I think. Do it if you wish to.

60% is a safe humidity I believe, but I wouldn't want to go much above that. It might be worthwhile to try using a CO2 meter (not a CO detector!) in various places as well; they can be hired if required. There are various options to improve ventilation short of a full ducted MVHR. There's decentralised MVHR, single-room MVHR, PIV and MEV, and just plain opening some windows. We used to do the latter everyday in the Victorian house we rented whilst we were building in order to keep the humidity down to 60%. Whatever you do, there's always an additional cost heating the air if you increase ventilation. MVHR just minimises that cost.]]>