http://othimages.propertycdn.com/property_photos/003/170/228…
referring to top left of the wall in the picture
just wondering what its purpose is.
What is this rectangular hole-filled thing on the walls of many old apartments?
ponzufish on 17/02/2015 - 23:25
Comments
Fresh air vent. Older places especially have them. The reason is if there is an open fire, it sucks all the oxygen out of the room. These are intended to replenish the fresh air so the occupants don't pass out and suffocate.
Or old style gas water heater… And they keep the walls from getting damp. Very common in older places.
And in newer places too. Also helps with walls expanding and contracting with heat.
I haven't seen any new places that have them (spent the past two months look at places to rent), I thought the newer houses didn't need them
@Annoying Source: Exactly. How many new places have an open fireplace? If they did, you will find a vent. New places will try to eliminate air leaks and make the room/house as airtight as possible, for energy efficiency ratings etc. A ducted heating system isn't going to consume oxygen heating and recycling the air, but an open fire will. As the combustion gasses and smoke are expelled out the chimney, it also creates a vacuum in the room. The fresh air is pulled into the room to replenish it. You may find an old house that has had the fireplace removed and a modern heater installed. In these cases you may still find the vents left behind. They aren't needed any more and can be sealed over or plugged from behind.
They look like windows to me.
Keep fresh air in the wall cavity. This avoids damp and terminites if it is a timber house. you often find them on the outside of houses as well.
Portal to another dimension.
Usually they are just spider farms.
I didn't realize that newer places apparently don't have air vents in the walls, but then I am ancient.
So that any mice in the walls get fresh air, no?
Aren't they just air vents?