I have a closet which is about 3 feet deep by 8 wide by 9 high. It has an xbox, dvr cable box, 2 dvd players, and a network hard drive in it, and will probably have more equipment added. The closet is on the first floor, and there is a basement underneath. The closet gets very hot when the xbox is on, and there is no ventilation. There is no practical way to install ventilation which carries the air up to the attic or outside. I could, however, install a 4 inch ventilation duct which would suck hot air from the top of the closet, and then carry it down through the floor into the basement. I would use a ventilation fan in the basement to suck the air out.

I realize this sort of defies physics to try to suck warm air down, but could this work?

If done properly, sure it could work: hot air return ducts often run down to the air handler on a lower floor

I am not sure 4 inch is big enough: the fan needed to force air through it might be noisy

also: be sure you have an opening for make up air: there should be a vent or opening at the bottom of the closet to allow cool air to enter

I realize this sort of defies physics to try to suck warm air down, but could this work?


Yes, something else to think about without knowing the actual construction of this closet etc. You could use the between stud space of a closet wall as the duct. Cut a hole near the ceiling for a vent cover then cut a big square hole in the bottom plate and sub-flooring. Hook up duct to the bottom hole and a silent bathroom exhaust fan.

As mentioned you need to plan on fresh air getting into the closet from some source and a attic fan line voltage thermostat ($20) to turn on the fan only when needed.

If you do what Big suggests, make sure you don't have any wiring in that bay, or if you do, that the jacket is "plenum rated" (not all that common for residential construction). Reason is to avoid toxic off-gassing in the event of a fire.