Window vents let the heat out People feel the draught and close the vent or think the room loses its heat. The purpose of trickle ventilators is providing a consistent flow of fresh air. Any cooling of the internal temperature in winter from a trickle vent is marginal. Keep your trickle vents open.

Broadly, for replacement double glazed windows, if the old unit being replaced doesn’t have trickle vents, then the new one does not have to have them either. New- build houses (extensions) windows will require them.

The short answer is – it depends. Trickle Vents are a requirement under building regulations.

All replacement windows, where the existing windows being removed currently have trickle vents, are required to include trickle ventilation to the same ventilation rates. New build homes must comply with the building regulation requirements for ventilation through a building as detailed in Part F documents.

Trickle vents are compulsory if your existing windows have them. This also means that if you’re replacing a window that has a trickle vent, the new window should also include them.

Do trickle vents prevent condensation? Trickle vents are fitted to the tops of window frames and can help create ventilation and reduce condensation. The small opening allows small amounts of ventilation in to help reduce the threat of condensation by allowing this humid air to escape.

Fitting trickle vents will prevent condensation build-ups that could lead to mould growth which can be harmful to your health. Trickle vents prevent airflow when closed, and when open they allow a small amount of air to circulate around the room.

Windows should be fully closed when a house is unoccupied. Trickle vents are a secure form of ventilation and can be left open even when you are on holiday.

Trickle vents allow controlled ventilation and fresh air into habitable rooms, freshening the stale air. Keep your trickle vents open and they should help reduce moisture – they really do work. Our advice is to leave them fully open at all times.

Trickle vents are an important part of the functionality of your uPVC doors and windows. They fulfil an important role in regulating the ventilation of your rooms. As you must be aware, double glazing is controlled by building regulations. One of the aspects they cover is ventilation. As per the regulations, rooms need to have adequate ventilation.

This basically meant that if you were replacing a window with a trickle vent, you’d need to bring in another window with a trickle vent. This was the case until 2006. In 2006, the Department for Communities and Local Government (they’re the people in charge of building regulations) decided that all new windows should come with trickle ventilation.

Home owners will reply and say that if they want ventilation they will open a window and get it that way. No noise. No drafts. The energy efficient window doing it’s job and no heat being let out unnecessarily. There are of course circumstances where trickle vents are required by law:

Cold windows are the prime spot for moisture in the air to condense. This leads to water droplets deposited on the glass. The condensation drips inside the frame, causing mould. Additionally, it can get inside improperly sealed double glazing.