Re-routing heat...

Gnote

Hi,

Remodelling my basement bathroom.

Currently there is no heat register in the area where I'd like to put the bathroom, so I was thinking about tapping into the main heat duct, which fortunately happens to run right past the bathroom just outside the wall.

My question is: can I tap into the side of the main duct, or do I have to go in through the top? The side would be much more convenient, as it would only require connecting a duct that is about 2 feet long.

Any help would be much appreciated.

jogr

Yes, you can connect to the side of the duct. The effectiveness of your heating in the bathroom will also depend on whether air can leave your bathroom to eventually return to an air intake somewhere. This addition could also mess up your balance elsewhere but you'll probably be able to deal with that by adjusting room registers.

Gnote

I was also thinking about trying to get a cold air return in that room. It would be slightly more difficult, but not prohibitively so.

jogr

For small baths there often is no return. If you have a little space under the door you're probably ok as long as whatever area the door opens into has a path to a decent sized return. Most times bath doors are left open except when in use, and then an exhaust fan is used so its not like trying to pump air into a closed room.

cjett

I've never seen a return in a bath. Usually not there or in the kitchen so that you do not transfer oders through out the rest of the house.