Continued HVAC progress

Not much to report today, just some photos of some additional HVAC progress.  The 2nd floor unit will not be fully installed until we have our windows installed as the company does not want the unit installed in what they consider an unprotected space.


2nd floor return (intake) air vent.  Unfortunately located right at the top of the new attic stairs!

Start of the new basement ductwork to extend ductwork for our 1st floor system and integrate forced air heat with our boilers/radiator

ductwork in the basement space

main duct running next to the steel beam in the basement.  This duct feeds one of the vents in the 1st floor family room

This is a make-up air damper.  If you have a kitchen range vent hood that is more than 400 CFM (it's either 300 or 400CFM) the new codes require that you have a way to bring fresh air in to the house when the fan is turned on.  Otherwise, there is a chance that the fan is powerful enough to suck the exhaust out of a chimney or gas hot water heater.  The make-up air damper system automatically opens a damper to allow fresh air into the return air system whenever the kitchen range hood is turned on.  It's not a super efficient design as it introduces unconditioned air into the return air system, but unfortunately is a requirement with as large of a kitchen vent hood as we will have (900 CFM).  Most HVAC contractors know about these requirements but vent hood manufacturers are still reluctant to tell people about it as they are worried it will steer consumers away from the larger (and more profitable) vent hoods.