skip to main content

Heating & Air Conditioning

Where to put heat vent in new room?

16 years ago

I have an old bungalow, and one of the rooms upstairs was unfinished. I framed it out for a few closets, and we are putting a washer and dryer in there. Now I need to put in a vent. There is a run coming from the basement that goes to a small bathroom that I put a T on, and ran some 6" insulated ductwork behind the wall to the room.

Now, the only place I can put the vent is in the ceiling (close to the middle of the room), or about 6 feet up near the corner of a room. I'm not sure which is best. To do it in the ceiling, the run from the basement has to be about 6 feet longer, and will be traversing an attic that leaves a bit to be desired with regard to proper venting (I'm addressing this next summer). On the other hand, putting the vent near the corner means a shorter run through uninsulated area, but now the heat is originating from a corner, and not the center of the room. Does it matter which way I go here? I'd prefer to go to the corner, cause I'm afraid the ceiling vent might detract from the cans up there.

Comment

Related Discussions
Heat Basement and put up a room divider?
Q
Comments (5)
Sounds like you want to hold-off any construction so try this: How are the basement windows? Most are single pane. Install some of the plastic window shield over them (the stuff you shrink with a hair dryer). Run the circulating fan from the furnace continually. This will keep the basement near the house temperature while refreshing the air there. Possibly add another heat vent - duct it over a window or to an outside wall. Our basement is finished with 2" XPS insulation against the concrete. It too drops to the low 60's but doing the above raises the temperature. We installed an electric fireplace as auxulary heat to make the space more comfortable in the spring/fall when the furnace is not running to heat the house. I don't believe there is a "good, inexpensive" solution. Water heaters are not efficient or intended for use as a boiler. Good luck.
...See More
new furnace installed does'nt put out as much heat
Q
Comments (9)
It depends on what kind of furnace it is and how close you are to the design temperature. Please post some information about the old furnace and the new one. Modern modulating/condensing furnaces will fire at a lower heat output and run longer if not much heat is required. As temperature drops, the furnace runs harder more than longer and the blower increases speed. At the coldest temperatures where you live, it should be running constantly if it is the correct size. At very low temperatures, recover might be very low. In addition, deep set-backs may not be advisable as modulating equipment runs less efficiently at full capacity than it does at lower capacity. It is difficult to tell what the best cost savings strategy might be without some real data for the home. Retrofitting a modulating furnace to an old house in a productive way can be tricky or it might be easy, depending on the house. They also require the installer to do a proper set up of the controls according to how the homeowners use their home.
...See More
Where did they put your air return vent?
Q
Comments (15)
Locating HVAC supplies and returns is the quintessential battle between form and function. I infer from your post that you have a system with one or more large, common returns and not one with smaller returns in each room. The location is constrained by what will serve multiple areas well, and sometimes, by the framing of the structure. I suggest you do a walk through with your builder and mechanical contractor and discuss alternative locations for the return. Make sure the location is not one that will be blocked by large furniture after move in.
...See More
where to put electric outlets in floor of new build great room
Q
Comments (9)
We hadn't decided on furniture layout, but I spent a lot of time configuring possibilities. Ultimately, I had my builder put floor outlets in 3 locations to cover my bases. At the very least, you need to figure out where your focal point will be (fireplace? TV?) and where your walkways will be so you can add a floor outlet along the "edge" of your seating area. In a room that large, you might even have more than one seating area...
...See More

Related Stories

THE HARDWORKING HOME Where to Put the Laundry Room

By Mitchell Parker

The Hardworking Home: We weigh the pros and cons of washing your clothes in the basement, kitchen, bathroom and more

KITCHEN DESIGN Where Should You Put the Kitchen Sink?

By Jennifer Ott Design

Facing a window or your guests? In a corner or near the dishwasher? Here’s how to find the right location for your sink

MORE ROOMS Where to Put the TV When the Wall Won't Work

By Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR

See the 3 Things You'll Need to Float Your TV Away From the Wall

MORE ROOMS Tech in Design: Where to Put Your Flat-Screen TV

By Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR

Popcorn, please: Enjoy all the new shows with a TV in the best place for viewing

SMALL SPACES Downsizing Help: Where to Put Your Overnight Guests

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Lack of space needn’t mean lack of visitors, thanks to sleep sofas, trundle beds and imaginative sleeping options

BATHROOM DESIGN Bath Remodeling: So, Where to Put the Toilet?

By By Any Design Ltd.

There's a lot to consider: paneling, baseboards, shower door. Before you install the toilet, get situated with these tips

REMODELING GUIDES Where to Splurge, Where to Save in Your Remodel

By Laura Gaskill

Learn how to balance your budget and set priorities to get the home features you want with the least compromise

HOUSEKEEPING Lower Your Heating Bills With Some Simple Weather Stripping

By Buckminster Green LLC

Plug the holes in your house this winter to make sure cold air stays where it belongs: outside

KITCHEN DESIGN Glued to the Tube: 14 Ways to Put a TV in the Kitchen

By KitchenLab Interiors

If you must, here's how to work a flat screen into your kitchen design

KITCHEN APPLIANCES 9 Places to Put the Microwave in Your Kitchen

By Toronto Interior Design Group

See the pros and cons of locating your microwave above, below and beyond the counter

Sponsored

CHC & Family Developments

4 Reviews

Industry Leading General Contractors in Franklin County, Ohio

More Discussions

Installing a powder room on main floor with hydronic radiant heat theo

3

Moving the furnace? How difficult and how costly?

5

Engineered vs. Solid Hardwood over radiant floor heating

8

Replace rusted swamp cooler panels with aluminum sheeting?

2

Geothermal heat pump

0