I live in a bungalow with a bathroom on both levels. The bathrooms both have exhaust vents. Outside of each bathroom is a ceiling vent. The previous owner stuck towels in these to block them off. When I removed the towels I felt cold air (it's winter right now) falling down, so I put them back.
When I had them out, I could see the vent hoses go back towards the bathrooms. With the towels out I turned on a fan in the bathroom and I can feel air being blown by it to the vent outside of the bathroom. It seems like they are connected.
My question is this. What purpose do these vents serve? Is it okay to have them blocked? Should I be concerned?
I have electric heat, so I'm guessing that it might be a way to help bring in fresh air?
Any thoughts?
Bungalow was built in 1978 in Ontario, Canada.
The vent in my bathroom seems to be connected to a ceiling vent just outside of the bathroom. Why?