I have two 4" extractors, one in the kitchen, another in a bathroom. In windy weather both let a lot of draught in when not on. I got some plastic louvres from B&Q. which are designed to close when the fan is not blowing, but the wind just sucks them open and causes them to rattle. Basically they're far too flimsy.
Is there a better quality product - perhaps an electrically operated 4" vent?
Newey do a rather good one with the slow acting mechanical louvre. Basic cost is around £30, with a variety of control options such as timer, PIR and humidity controlled available at extra cost.
I've just installed a loo fan marked "ICON Airflow" which operates in the same was as the iris of a camera. The closure is in three sections and rotates in the same plane as the wall to clear the opening. I can't find it on google tho'
which had a mechanical link from the switch to the louvre.
This opened the louvre when the fan was switched on & closed it when the fan was off.
In this instance (after 12 years use) the mechanical link was broken. I e-mailed Manrose asking for price & availability of a new cover inc link and they sent one for free - good company.
On 13 Jan 2007 09:45:54 -0800 someone who may be "Burlington Bertie" wrote this:-
They have to be lightweight, otherwise they would provide too much resistance and restrict (partly or fully) the airflow.
The next best alternative is a hooded louvre, which has a hood over the louvres which prevents them flapping around so much as it prevents direct wind effects (though not pressure effects). Old versions of these had a single balanced pivoted flap, I see that one modern design has the more normal three flaps (no doubt they are reducing their manufacturing costs).
You might also consider a mushroom shaped terminal, if the problem is direct winds blowing in.
As others have said the better designed product is a fan with integral shutters. These can have any terminal placed on the outlet of the duct, even plain grilles (though make sure they keep the rain out).
|I have two 4" extractors, one in the kitchen, another in a bathroom. In |windy weather both let a lot of draught in when not on. I got some |plastic louvres from B&Q. which are designed to close when the fan is |not blowing, but the wind just sucks them open and causes them to |rattle. Basically they're far too flimsy. | |Is there a better quality product - perhaps an electrically operated 4" |vent?
I also will have much the same problem with my Cooker Hood extractor fan when I fit it. The house is *very* well insulated, and the kitchen area requires only about 500w from a towel rail so the new 5 kW Wok Burner, will cause massive overheat. The whole cooker can put about double that power into the kitchen.
I need a louvre/air outlet which is almost airtight when not in use.
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