As a result of our efforts to make homes more energy efficient and reduce the amount of heat that escapes, homes are today better sealed than they have ever been. However, despite the fact that this helps to keep us warmer, it also has the potential to increase the number of pollutants that are present in the home. Because of this, trickle vents are becoming an increasingly vital component of homes.
What are tickle vents?
A trickle vent is a narrow opening that is typically positioned directly above an opening in a door or window.
Regardless of whether the door or window is shut, a trickle vent will still allow a tiny amount of fresh air into the room. Condensation is one of the issues that can arise as a result of inadequate ventilation, and these vents are intended to help avoid or mitigate this problem. In addition to this, they help eliminate stale air from the property, which is particularly helpful if there are any smells that continue to linger in your home.
If you want to let air into your home while you are out and about, you may use trickle vents to do so. This allows you to ventilate your home without leaving windows open or unlocked.
Do I have to have trickle vents?
The new trickle vent standards will apply to any windows that are installed after June 15, 2022. Trickle vents are required to be installed in the upper frame of a window or door in accordance with these new laws. The goal of these regulations is to guarantee that every residence has access to sufficient ventilation.
This also means that if you’re replacing a window that has a trickle vent, the replacement window should also include them. According to the Building Regulations, not only are they necessary for the construction of all brand-new homes, but also for the installation of windows in any new additions to existing homes.
Do trickle vents work?
If they are left open, they allow fresh air that is both continuous and discrete to enter the rooms at all times. They are especially useful in areas of the house that are seldom occupied, such as spare rooms. The same is true for kitchens, bathrooms, and even toilets.
The fact of the matter is that during the winter months, the ventilation in our homes decreases, we spend more time indoors, and we frequently hang our laundry to dry inside rather than outside. These window and door upgrades are modest and discreet, but they give real benefits in the form of regulated ventilation and fresh air being brought into rooms that are used on a daily basis as well as those that aren’t.
The stale air in inhabited spaces can be rejuvenated by the introduction of controlled ventilation and fresh air via trickle vents. If you leave your trickle vents open, they should be able to help minimise the amount of moisture in the air.
For more information on trickle vents and anything else to do with windows, get in touch with us at The Cambridge Window Company.
