Proximity of Bathroom Exhaust fan to HVAC Supply Vent?

anonymouscuban · 04-23-2010, 01:01 PM

I am installing a new bathroom exhaust fan and would like to place it near, but not in the shower. Where I would prefer to place it is whithin 1.5' of the AC/Heating supply vent.

Is there a minimum distance required between the fart-fan and the AC/Heating vent?

Just Bill · 04-24-2010, 07:13 AM

Since both ducts should be insulated, proximity should not be an issue. The heating/AC ducts is insulated to prevent losses. The fan duct is insulated to prevent condensation from forming.

Scuba_Dave · 04-24-2010, 09:50 AM

I think your concern is pulling the heated air & exhausting it outside ?

anonymouscuban · 04-24-2010, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scuba_Dave

I think your concern is pulling the heated air & exhausting it outside ?

Yup. I talked to an HVAC guy I know since posting this and he recommended 3' spacing. Problem is to give it 3', I either have to place the fan inside the shower, which I don't want to do, or it will be about 8' from the shower. I don't mind placing it 8' from the shower but will it be effective? It's sized correctly at 110 CFM for the 100 sqft room. BTW, there is a window in the shower so will the fan being 8' from the shower be OK?

Scuba_Dave · 04-24-2010, 12:31 PM

One bathroom the fan is over the edge of the shower/tub
2nd one is maybe 3' from the shower
We don't really use the fan in the winter, partially heating with wood we need the humidity from the shower

At my last house I heated mostly with wood & had forced hot air
So again did not use the fan in the winter
Not sure where you are located, do you need to remove the heat when the heat is running?
Is the heat vent "pointed" towards where the fan woudl be ?
Have you checked the humidity in the house ?
Is the heat vent also an AC vent for the summer?

Even at 8' away with the bathroom door closed it will suck the mosture laden air out
My concern is that 8' away it might have a tendency to pull air from the heat vent

And of course the fan should only run for a short period of time normally

anonymouscuban · 04-24-2010, 06:15 PM

I'm in Southern California. Both the exhaust and the vent are/will be located in the ceiling. Yes, the vent is for central air and heat. We don't heat the house as much as we cool it. We also have a humidifyer tied to the HVAC system since it gets pretty dry out here, especially in the winter.

What I may actually do is relocate the vent further from the shower and then place the exhaust where the vent used to be. That vent has a damper so I can always adjust the flow should it need it since I will be shortening the duct to relocate it.

I had originally thought to do this but wanted to find an easier route. But, as I have always known, most often the hardest way is the right way.

04-23-2010, 01:01 PM	#1
anonymouscuban Newbie Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 15	Proximity of Bathroom Exhaust fan to HVAC Supply Vent? I am installing a new bathroom exhaust fan and would like to place it near, but not in the shower. Where I would prefer to place it is whithin 1.5' of the AC/Heating supply vent. Is there a minimum distance required between the fart-fan and the AC/Heating vent?

04-24-2010, 07:13 AM	#2
Just Bill Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Wilmington, DE Posts: 3,098	Proximity of Bathroom Exhaust fan to HVAC Supply Vent? Since both ducts should be insulated, proximity should not be an issue. The heating/AC ducts is insulated to prevent losses. The fan duct is insulated to prevent condensation from forming.

04-24-2010, 09:50 AM	#3
Scuba_Dave Xtreme DIY'r Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: South of Boston, MA Posts: 17,248	Proximity of Bathroom Exhaust fan to HVAC Supply Vent? I think your concern is pulling the heated air & exhausting it outside ?

04-24-2010, 12:31 PM	#5
Scuba_Dave Xtreme DIY'r Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: South of Boston, MA Posts: 17,248	Proximity of Bathroom Exhaust fan to HVAC Supply Vent? One bathroom the fan is over the edge of the shower/tub 2nd one is maybe 3' from the shower We don't really use the fan in the winter, partially heating with wood we need the humidity from the shower At my last house I heated mostly with wood & had forced hot air So again did not use the fan in the winter Not sure where you are located, do you need to remove the heat when the heat is running? Is the heat vent "pointed" towards where the fan woudl be ? Have you checked the humidity in the house ? Is the heat vent also an AC vent for the summer? Even at 8' away with the bathroom door closed it will suck the mosture laden air out My concern is that 8' away it might have a tendency to pull air from the heat vent And of course the fan should only run for a short period of time normally

04-24-2010, 06:15 PM	#6
anonymouscuban Newbie Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 15	Proximity of Bathroom Exhaust fan to HVAC Supply Vent? I'm in Southern California. Both the exhaust and the vent are/will be located in the ceiling. Yes, the vent is for central air and heat. We don't heat the house as much as we cool it. We also have a humidifyer tied to the HVAC system since it gets pretty dry out here, especially in the winter. What I may actually do is relocate the vent further from the shower and then place the exhaust where the vent used to be. That vent has a damper so I can always adjust the flow should it need it since I will be shortening the duct to relocate it. I had originally thought to do this but wanted to find an easier route. But, as I have always known, most often the hardest way is the right way.

Proximity of Bathroom Exhaust fan to HVAC Supply Vent?