Hi
I Am just starting to refit our kitchen, there is a 9"x9" hole in the wall (ducted straight to outside) where the previous owners removed the bricks and didn't bother to put on a grill on the inside. As the first part of the refit the old boiler has been ripped out, this had a conventional flue which went straight up the chimney, the new boiler will be room sealed. I would like to block up the hole in the wall as the wind howls through this and keeps the kitchen cold (there is no rad), and it is probably too close to where the new flue will have to exit the wall - could anyone clarify the minimum distance for me? However I am aware that there are some ventilation requirements for kitchens, so do I have to make another vent somewhere else (presumably cavity sealed, ie ducted to outside) if I block it and what size does it have to be? In addition there is no cooker extractor at present, do I have to put one in or can I leave it without - as it is now?
As an aside, what should I do about blocking the disused chimney, I would rather seal this up, as I don't want a gaping hole above the new boiler, I was just going to plasterboard across the entrance and make it part of the existing alcove ceiling that the boiler sits in. If I do this do I need a vent into the chimney stack to keep it dry, there is an existing hatch on the outside, which I presume was for sweeping, I could easily put a grill on this.
Cheers
Martin