Apparently in the US it is part of the bldg code for mobile and modular homes.
In Canada it is too. Where I am they have a exhaust fan (bathroom type fan) hooked up to a DE-humidistat so if the humidity goes over 40% it starts the exhaust fan. Then dry air comes in that pipe you are talking about. However that rarely happens but it is there for that reason. Mobiles and new homes can be too airtight and humid.
Now I am not saying to do it but I "imagine" a few pieces of foam have been stuffed into those pipes if you get my drift. A flapper won't work as it has to be able to suck air in and those exhaust fans are not very strong.
Essentially it is there for fresh air.
In Canada it is too. Where I am they have a exhaust fan (bathroom type fan) hooked up to a DE-humidistat so if the humidity goes over 40% it starts the exhaust fan. Then dry air comes in that pipe you are talking about. However that rarely happens but it is there for that reason. Mobiles and new homes can be too airtight and humid.
Now I am not saying to do it but I "imagine" a few pieces of foam have been stuffed into those pipes if you get my drift. A flapper won't work as it has to be able to suck air in and those exhaust fans are not very strong.
Essentially it is there for fresh air.