Hey guys,

My TV room gets pretty hot - even without equipment running. Of course it is worse when there are bodies in there and the equipment is on. The vent is close to the door, and maybe undersized (11"x7"). The return to the A/C unit is nearby in the hallway, so I'm wondering about short-cycling.

The vent in this room is a short run from the unit and it one of two parts that split in a wye, 9" to two 6"

As I see it, I have these options:

- Increase duct and vent size to this room.
- Add a vent to this room
- Exhaust the equipment closet (will help cool the components and draw more cool air into this room?)

This room faces south, and does get a decent amount of sun. I had insulation blown in the attic above, but it doesn't seem to help. I also added very heavy light-blocking curtains.

Thank you!

 

How big is the room? HWL

 

So there is not a return in the room?

 

The room is about 14'w x 10'l x 8'h

"Return" means back to the HVAC unit? Then, no - there is not a return in this room. But about 3 feet outside the door.

 

That one vent seems insufficient to me and I would want a return in there as well.

 

Do you suggest adding a vent, or just upgrading what is already there?

Should the additional return go in the equipment closet? On the ceiling would be the easiest.

 

You're in Texas with a south facing room. That alone is enough to make the room hot. Then if the vent is close to the door end of the room you probably don't get much air circulation or conditioned air at the far end of the room. Another vent would probably help or simply relocating the existing vent to the far end might do the trick.

Also, where is the thermostat located? If it's in a central location and protected against the heat of the south side then it may be sensing air quite a bit cooler than in your room. You could try turning the circulation fan to the "on" position so it stirs the air even when the AC is not running.

 

If the room is mostly sealed you could actually be producing a positive pressure which might act against the supply vent. Test by leaving the door open. Does it still get to warm?

If the door test is successful: Would it be possible to cut a hole in the home theater wall approximately aligned with that return vent? If so I'd buy two small air return grills, cut a hole through the wall, and cover the hole on each side with a return vent.

 

I'd like to go ahead and source the parts I'll need. Can you help point me in the right direction?

 

Source what parts? You have not answered the questions asked to help determine the cause of the problem. Without knowing it's hard to come up with a solution.

 

I solved a heat/cool problem by mounting 2 vents in each of the affected rooms. High on one side, low on the other in the same stud bay. One each way in each room. Then vents into the open space outside the rooms.

Cut the holes, install mounting blocking in the bay, mount regular register grilles.

Agreed though, til the questions are answered, can't really give accurate advice.

If you have inadequate air flow, then vents won't help.