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Hooking my exhaust/intake into existing ac line

U

Undrgrnd Armory

Member
I am considering the possibility of doing a grow in a large closet. My intake would have to come from the existing heat/ac duct in the wall. My exhaust would have to go through the same duct.


Outside closet



Inside Closet




If I were to cut into the wall on the inside on the closet to access the duct, I was hoping to install a two t fittings fitting into the existing 6 inch ducting. The extra openings would allow me to get fresh air right from my ac unit/heater and send my exhuast back out through the ac grating that goes to my loft. One 6 inch t fitting opening would be for my intake and suck air right from the ac line. The other 6 inch t fitting would be connected to my exhaust and blow the air out from the a/c grating on the other side of the wall.

Any thoughts/comments/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I have never attempted to splice into a heating/cooling duct before, but I am very handy and don't imagine it will be very tough. I am worried, however, about having to cut out a large square of drywall in my apartment to access to duct.

Does this seem to be a viable intake/exhaust method?
Any suggestions on how to access the duct cleanly with the least damage would be helpful, as well how to repair it when I decide to move out.
 
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G

GoGreenGiant

Member
Hey UA,
That sounds line it would work great in the summer, but what are you going to do in the winter when your furnace kicks in?
You said it was an AC/heat duct, so I assume you're going to come into that issue sometime... I don't think that a grow could handle a direct blast from the furnace, too much heat is always an issue. Even in the Winter.
I wouldn't suggest venting into your outgoing vents at all just because of the smell that your apartment will emmit.
haha, I kind of think it would be nice, but I sure wouldn't want to have to explain it to someone serious
I don't want you to feel like I'm putting down your idea though, I might not just understant the situation like it is. Try to think about...

Where is this duct coming from?
could you follow it with another line for a fresh source?
what is below or above you? any attics or basements?

Again, I don't all disagree, your plan could probabbly work with just an AC and a dank apartment.
I really like the quote in your profile
-GoGreen
 
U

Undrgrnd Armory

Member
Below me is my bathroom. I suppose I could intake room temp air from the bathroom and exhaust back into the a/c heat line. Sound like a better plan?
 
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R

RM - aquagrower

Active member
i would avoid using air from the bathroom, if it were me. after a nice long shower, the air is way too humid.

instead of using Ts on the duct, i would install Ls. that way, in the summer time ya can use the AC to your advantage, and in the winter the lights can heat your loft. i would also install an additional passive intake coming from the (bed?) room touching the closet. by doing this ya can cap the duct in the winter.

good luck, an grow safe!
 
U

Undrgrnd Armory

Member
RM - aquagrower said:
i would avoid using air from the bathroom, if it were me. after a nice long shower, the air is way too humid.

instead of using Ts on the duct, i would install Ls. that way, in the summer time ya can use the AC to your advantage, and in the winter the lights can heat your loft. i would also install an additional passive intake coming from the (bed?) room touching the closet. by doing this ya can cap the duct in the winter.

good luck, an grow safe!
Click to expand...

There is no bedroom touching the closet. My only options are the bathroom underneath, the ac/heat line, or drill a hole into the roof (which I am not willing to do).
 
UNREGISTRD

UNREGISTRD

Active member
U cant exhaust into your AC lines other wise the smell goes all over the house!
and youll have pressure when the acs on..
THe big vent in your house is SUCKING air in so then it disperses it throuhout the rest of the vents about 10deg colder.. Cut a hole in that same wall and run anothe duct down the wall to somewhere u can vent hot air to..
U can use your existing AC/heat duct for A/c /intake..Use it as a permanent intake that way when the a/c comes on it cools the room down.. U need to setup another exhaust by drilling a hole in the top or side of the cab to setup your exhaust fan to and youll be golden!
 
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U

Undrgrnd Armory

Member
1) Carbon scrubber will be in use to address any smell issues

2) There is no cab. This is a walk in closet

3) The big vent comes from the ther central aC/heat unit and blows out. It does not suck in
 
UNREGISTRD

UNREGISTRD

Active member
Undrgrnd Armory said:
1) Carbon scrubber will be in use to address any smell issues

2) There is no cab. This is a walk in closet

3) The big vent comes from the ther central aC/heat unit and blows out. It does not suck in
Click to expand...

Ok yes the duct in your walk in closet blows out..(blowing into the closet)YES thats right but by exhausting into it you would be then be pulling air from under the door creating a passive intake! make sense!
It can be done but u should Use the A/c duct for intake and run another line for the exhaust that way when the A/c comes on you get the cold air in the room which is ALWAYS needed!
 
U

Undrgrnd Armory

Member
Nothing blows INTO the closet. The ac vent blow OUT on the other side of one of the walls which makes up the closet.

My plan was to use/ac heat for intake and then plug my exhaust right back into it at a point before the line exits to the other side of the wall. Like a detour in a road.

With me?
 
minds_I

minds_I

Active member
Veteran
Hello all,

I would like to point out that your grow is subjected to the house temp setpoint and cycles.

So, lets say its 4am, the AC is off because it is a nice 72* at the thermastat, but your light is on and its a blistering 95* in your closet.

You are asleep and you can't hear your plants' screams.

In the morning when you check on your girls- they are stressed and in retaliation are considering going hermi on you.

Buahahahahahaha,

Just a thought friend- not intending to pee on your parade.

minds_I
 
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