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  1. #1
    Matthew Brown's Avatar
    Matthew Brown Guest

    Default Exhaust vent near a/c

    I own a 1993 home, which I bought a few years ago. I just notice that the kitchen exhaust vents directly behind the A/C. Is this a wrong configuration? Violate any code?

    thanks,

    Matthew

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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Maryland
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    1,096

    Default Re: Exhaust vent near a/c

    It shouldn't be that way but it may not harm anything. How close is the AC unit to the house? How many inches? Can you post a picture?


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Rockwall Texas
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    4,521

    Default Re: Exhaust vent near a/c

    If it vents that low to be behind the condensing unit it must be a downdraft vent range hood.

    You might want to slow down a bit on the cooking of the fried chicken and fried catfish a bit or the grease particles may get pulled into the fins on the condensing unit and affect the efficiency. Others may joke, but I've seen condensing unit fins covered with grease because of this poor location of the vent.

    Same thing goes for the lint from a dryer vent.

    rick


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Mesa, Arizona
    Posts
    45

    Default Re: Exhaust vent near a/c

    Does it vent to the roof?
    How far is the vent from the unit?

    Oh, and a picture would help us out.




    PS don't know about set ups in Texas but we have a high percentage of units on the roofs here,
    but if you don't in Tx please ignore my post

    Last edited by J Moore; 06-28-2009 at 09:22 PM. Reason: added PS
    Jeff Moore AZ Cert#49250
    Level II Thermographer
    http:www.quantumhomeinspections.com

  5. #5
    A.D. Miller's Avatar
    A.D. Miller Guest

    Default Re: Exhaust vent near a/c

    It is s typical stupid installation, but violates no codes; only violates common sense.


  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,032

    Default Re: Exhaust vent near a/c

    Quote Originally Posted by Matthew Brown View Post
    I own a 1993 home, which I bought a few years ago. I just notice that the kitchen exhaust vents directly behind the A/C. Is this a wrong configuration? Violate any code?

    I see two potential problems based on the kitchen exhaust's location in relation to the a/c unit.
    - If the kitchen exhaust is located above the top of the a/c condenser unit discharge, the air being discharged out the top of the condenser unit could well prevent the kitchen exhaust from functioning and may even allow the outside air to be blown inside, whether or not the kitchen exhaust fan was operating.
    - If the kitchen exhaust is located below the top of the condenser unit, the air being drawn into the condenser unit could create a negative pressure at the kitchen exhaust sufficient to pull the kitchen exhaust damper open and pull conditioned air out from the interior of the home.

    I am sure there are code applicable to either instance, the second instance is a no brainer as that would violate energy codes. The first instance may be more difficult to find a code section for, but the energy codes could be applied there as well, just not quite as forcibly.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

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