How to install a fresh air ventilation pipe?
#1
09-09-13, 05:56 PM
How to install a fresh air ventilation pipe?
Hello!
Our energy audit folks say we need more ventilation before we do any of the improvements to seal up the house (attic, crawl space). I have been looking at ERVs, but I am moving more towards just a small pipe from outside to the HVAC return.
HD has a Master Flow 5 in. Fresh Air Vent (for example) that would go outside (through a crawl space vent hole under our back deck), through some pipe, through a filter box, through a volume damper, through a collar into the HVAC return.
Questions:
1) Anybody know of a source of a filter housing that connects to 4" duct?
2) This method keeps the pipe open even when the HVAC is off. Anyone hooked a motorized shutoff damper attached to the HVAC fan? How involved is that?
3) This doesn't do alot of dehumidification. I was thinking of putting one of those mesh filters they use for kitchen exhaust hoods in the line somewhere, and then any water in the air would drain down, and then I could use a hose to send it to the HVAC condensate line for the sump pump to send out of the crawl space.
Any help appreciated, especially if something like this is already working for you. It seems simple (just a small air pipe going from outside to the HVAC return), but I'd like to include any design tips by those in the know.
I appreciate your help!
Regards,
Leaning
Our energy audit folks say we need more ventilation before we do any of the improvements to seal up the house (attic, crawl space). I have been looking at ERVs, but I am moving more towards just a small pipe from outside to the HVAC return.
HD has a Master Flow 5 in. Fresh Air Vent (for example) that would go outside (through a crawl space vent hole under our back deck), through some pipe, through a filter box, through a volume damper, through a collar into the HVAC return.
Questions:
1) Anybody know of a source of a filter housing that connects to 4" duct?
2) This method keeps the pipe open even when the HVAC is off. Anyone hooked a motorized shutoff damper attached to the HVAC fan? How involved is that?
3) This doesn't do alot of dehumidification. I was thinking of putting one of those mesh filters they use for kitchen exhaust hoods in the line somewhere, and then any water in the air would drain down, and then I could use a hose to send it to the HVAC condensate line for the sump pump to send out of the crawl space.
Any help appreciated, especially if something like this is already working for you. It seems simple (just a small air pipe going from outside to the HVAC return), but I'd like to include any design tips by those in the know.
I appreciate your help!
Regards,
Leaning
Last edited by leaning; 09-09-13 at 05:57 PM. Reason: fix wording
#2
09-10-13, 08:37 AM
In case anyone is interested in what I came up with for this fresh air intake pipe:
1) Butterfly Damper 4" BD4 Famco (to prevent backflow and prevent open pipe when HVAC is off)
2) Soler & Palau MFL-100 Filter Box (holds filter)
3) 4-in Hvac Duct Manual Volume Damper with Sleeve (so I can adjust flow through pipe if too high)
4) Master Flow 4 in. Fresh Air Vent Model # FAV4 (goes on outside of house; has a screen)
5) Master Flow 4 in. Starting Collar Take Off (to attach fresh air piping to HVAC return)
6) Speedi-Products 4 in. Galvanized B-Vent Storm Collar Model # BV-RSC 04 (in crawl space around pipe to outside to make a good seal (if needed)
7) 4" pipe
8) aluminum tape
Now, I just have to wait until everything shows up so I can put it all together.
Should be fun.
Regards,
leaning
1) Butterfly Damper 4" BD4 Famco (to prevent backflow and prevent open pipe when HVAC is off)
2) Soler & Palau MFL-100 Filter Box (holds filter)
3) 4-in Hvac Duct Manual Volume Damper with Sleeve (so I can adjust flow through pipe if too high)
4) Master Flow 4 in. Fresh Air Vent Model # FAV4 (goes on outside of house; has a screen)
5) Master Flow 4 in. Starting Collar Take Off (to attach fresh air piping to HVAC return)
6) Speedi-Products 4 in. Galvanized B-Vent Storm Collar Model # BV-RSC 04 (in crawl space around pipe to outside to make a good seal (if needed)
7) 4" pipe
8) aluminum tape
Now, I just have to wait until everything shows up so I can put it all together.
Should be fun.
Regards,
leaning
