Good question, I was just wondering the same thing.
-
Our native mobile app has a new name: Fora Communities. Learn more.
Equipment Venting - Return Duct Question
I'm building a soffit around my return duct which also runs just above where my equipment cabinet will be, should I put a T just above the equipment so I can vent the heat build up?
The return register is right next to the equipment cabinet at the floor.
Thanks for the help.
James
The return register is right next to the equipment cabinet at the floor.
Thanks for the help.
James
1 - 10 of 10 Posts
James,
In short, I'm not sure (so perhaps I shouldn't be replying...) but I'm not sure just adding an additional return register at the top of your equipment closet into your return trunk would do much without attaching a fan or some sort to suck air out equipment cabinet space. I'm also not sure if you can vent an exhaust fan directly into an air return (I've never heard of that...)
In my application, I'm going to run an exhaust fan in my equipment closet and vent it directly to the outside. This is a bit of extra work, but the IRC requires a room without windows to have adequate artificial lighting and the ability to change the air in the room about once every 3 hours (I think it is 35% of the room's volume needs to be able to be changed per hour.) This exhaust mechanism may be manually controlled, and I'm going to use a thermostat to control mine which meets the requirements. I haven't yet shopped for an exhaust fan or calculated my HT's exact volume either, so I'm assuming that this is possible.
Our local building office said that the removed air had to be vented outside, or if vented into the return air system, I'd need to get "fresh" return air from the outside, therefore losing the already heated or cooled air in the return system.
Just a thought,
-Ryan
Quote:
Originally Posted by 5Cradles /forum/post/0
I'm building a soffit around my return duct which also runs just above where my equipment cabinet will be, should I put a T just above the equipment so I can vent the heat build up?
The return register is right next to the equipment cabinet at the floor.
Thanks for the help.
James
James,
In short, I'm not sure (so perhaps I shouldn't be replying...) but I'm not sure just adding an additional return register at the top of your equipment closet into your return trunk would do much without attaching a fan or some sort to suck air out equipment cabinet space. I'm also not sure if you can vent an exhaust fan directly into an air return (I've never heard of that...)
In my application, I'm going to run an exhaust fan in my equipment closet and vent it directly to the outside. This is a bit of extra work, but the IRC requires a room without windows to have adequate artificial lighting and the ability to change the air in the room about once every 3 hours (I think it is 35% of the room's volume needs to be able to be changed per hour.) This exhaust mechanism may be manually controlled, and I'm going to use a thermostat to control mine which meets the requirements. I haven't yet shopped for an exhaust fan or calculated my HT's exact volume either, so I'm assuming that this is possible.
Our local building office said that the removed air had to be vented outside, or if vented into the return air system, I'd need to get "fresh" return air from the outside, therefore losing the already heated or cooled air in the return system.
Just a thought,
-Ryan
I wall thinking about putting a cap on the T then later on drill the right sized hole that I could put a small computer fan inline and push all that hot air into the return.
Ryan, thanks for the reply. I was thinking the same thing but I never followed through with it and now the drywall is up and all that is left is this return soffit.
Thanks,
James
Ryan, thanks for the reply. I was thinking the same thing but I never followed through with it and now the drywall is up and all that is left is this return soffit.
Thanks,
James
I would definately add a line to your return duct. I've been putting off doing mine - just a few pieces of equipment really build up some heat.
Here, our filters are located at the 'door' of the ceiling return grill - not at the blower - so I'd have to use some sort of grill to accomodate a small filter.
Exaust fans are fine, but if you have too many - you can get quite a build up of negative pressure and they don't work too well.
You might want to add a wire from your future fan to your equipment rack - you could run it off of one of your AV pieces so the fan comes on when a certain piece is turned on. However, unless your blower is on when the computer fan is on, I don't think it would move much air out.
To me, the easiect thing to do would be to add a large enough tube so it would move air without the need of a fan. Assuming you have the AC blower on when you are using your equipment.
Here, our filters are located at the 'door' of the ceiling return grill - not at the blower - so I'd have to use some sort of grill to accomodate a small filter.
Exaust fans are fine, but if you have too many - you can get quite a build up of negative pressure and they don't work too well.
You might want to add a wire from your future fan to your equipment rack - you could run it off of one of your AV pieces so the fan comes on when a certain piece is turned on. However, unless your blower is on when the computer fan is on, I don't think it would move much air out.
To me, the easiect thing to do would be to add a large enough tube so it would move air without the need of a fan. Assuming you have the AC blower on when you are using your equipment.
Yes you can. The questions - if you are using a draw fan - would it make noise in the air return and could it cause negative pressure in the room?
One other thing - I don't know how any of these are looked upon by inspectors, but...
I had an AC guy out for compressor unit repair, and he inspected the attic. I showed him what I wanted to do (vent closet directly to AC return main duct) and he said they do this fairly often. Apparently (here, anyway)) its fine to do.
Also, I was suprised that he said they use flexible ducting - same as the delivery tubes. I thoiught I'd have to use the solid ducting.
I had an AC guy out for compressor unit repair, and he inspected the attic. I showed him what I wanted to do (vent closet directly to AC return main duct) and he said they do this fairly often. Apparently (here, anyway)) its fine to do.
Also, I was suprised that he said they use flexible ducting - same as the delivery tubes. I thoiught I'd have to use the solid ducting.
Marshall,
Thanks for the replies. Could I use flex tubing for the whole return inside the room to metal T then flex duct to return chase that connects to furnace?
James
Thanks for the replies. Could I use flex tubing for the whole return inside the room to metal T then flex duct to return chase that connects to furnace?
James
I think that sounds good, but I really don't know. There are a few HVAC guys on the board - I'd wait fror one of them to chime in.
One of my points was I was surprised that I could use flex duct (insulated stuff) for teh whle return - I thought it would collapse.
Other concern is noise transmission.
Good luck!
One of my points was I was surprised that I could use flex duct (insulated stuff) for teh whle return - I thought it would collapse.
Other concern is noise transmission.
Good luck!
For what I'm building, I was planning on using the air from the HT to cool the equipment.
Have a hole/Tube connected to a 120CM fan that would pull air from the bottom of the room into the Rack, and then a second 120CM fan that would pull air from the RACK and up to the top of the room through a second hole/tube (near a register). Some of the larger fans can be hooked up directly to AC, and if they're in the cabinet, I don't think much noise will escape considering their size, they spin slower.
Have a hole/Tube connected to a 120CM fan that would pull air from the bottom of the room into the Rack, and then a second 120CM fan that would pull air from the RACK and up to the top of the room through a second hole/tube (near a register). Some of the larger fans can be hooked up directly to AC, and if they're in the cabinet, I don't think much noise will escape considering their size, they spin slower.
1 - 10 of 10 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
AVS Forum
A forum community dedicated to home theater owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about home audio/video, TVs, projectors, screens, receivers, speakers, projects, DIY’s, product reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Top Contributors this Month
View All
WilliamR
882 Replies
BASSAHOLIC
469 Replies
bass addict
398 Replies
Recommended Communities
