Results 1 to 12 of 12
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Nampa, Idaho
    Posts
    601

    Default Whole house ventilation system

    Home was built in 1994, has a whole house ventillation system that's connected to the HVAC ductwork. I have never seen one with an air intake vent installed in the crawlspace. This just looks bad, drawing musty air from crawlspace into the home. I am guessing that the vent was intended to be routed outdoors.

    Similar Threads:
    ***IMPORTANT*** You Need To Register To View Images ***IMPORTANT*** You Need To Register To View Images
    Member Benefits1

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Spring Hill (Nashville), TN
    Posts
    5,851

    Default Re: Whole house ventilation system

    Quote Originally Posted by Trent Tarter View Post
    Home was built in 1994, has a whole house ventillation system that's connected to the HVAC ductwork. I have never seen one with an air intake vent installed in the crawlspace. This just looks bad, drawing musty air from crawlspace into the home. I am guessing that the vent was intended to be routed outdoors.
    Is that by chance a sealed crawlspace?

    Scott Patterson, ACI
    Spring Hill, TN
    www.traceinspections.com

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Nampa, Idaho
    Posts
    601

    Default Re: Whole house ventilation system

    No it's not a sealed crawlspace. Standard vented crawl.


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Caledon, Ontario
    Posts
    4,982

    Default Re: Whole house ventilation system

    Looks like a motorized damper which has not been wired in, which means its not functioning as per intended use.


  5. #5
    David Bell's Avatar
    David Bell Guest

    Default Re: Whole house ventilation system

    Looks like it could be a dump damper that would tie into the zone panel.


  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Bennett (Denver metro), Colorado
    Posts
    1,461

    Default Re: Whole house ventilation system

    We don't have contraptions like that around here, but,in general, mixing crawlspace air into the home air seems like a really bad idea for several reasons.

    If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,032

    Default Re: Whole house ventilation system

    Quote Originally Posted by Lon Henderson View Post
    We don't have contraptions like that around here, but,in general, mixing crawlspace air into the home air seems like a really bad idea for several reasons.
    Agreed ... it is a really, really, really stupid idea to take air from the crawlspace and suck it up into the living space ... unless the crawlspace was lined and being used as a return air plenum (which is still not real smart), and in which case it would not be 'fresh air' anyway.

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

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Nampa, Idaho
    Posts
    601

    Default Re: Whole house ventilation system

    Yes it's definitely not a good idea to pull air from crawlsapce into the home. I am recommending an HVAC contractor evaluate and repair. The damper was connected to low voltage wire. I see these types of air exchange systems installed in homes built in the early 90's. Typically the electronic damper is connected to an exterior vent.


  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Plano, Texas
    Posts
    4,245

    Default Re: Whole house ventilation system

    Not meaning to insult your intelligence, but are you sure it was on the air return and not the supply?
    I could see having a supply duct ala' Dr. Joe in a conditioned crawl space.

    Jim Luttrall
    www.MrInspector.net
    Plano, Texas

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Plano, Texas
    Posts
    4,245

    Default Re: Whole house ventilation system

    Quote Originally Posted by Kevin Wood View Post
    As Raymond said it is a damper system for fresh air to outside not the crawlspace. This is usually hooked up to a HRV or ERV on the return and they may not have gotten the unit installed or just did not set up the supply to outside yet.
    I think you mean Trent, not Raymond. Yeah, I saw that but I was asking if he was SURE it was on the return, not supply side.

    With the screen it looks like this was an intentional installation, not an oversight.

    Jim Luttrall
    www.MrInspector.net
    Plano, Texas

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Nampa, Idaho
    Posts
    601

    Default Re: Whole house ventilation system

    Quote Originally Posted by Kevin Wood View Post
    Temporary screen to prevent possible nesting until the full fresh air vent is installed.
    That's what I was thinking.


  12. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Southern Vancouver Island
    Posts
    4,607

    Default Re: Whole house ventilation system

    Quote Originally Posted by Kevin Wood View Post
    Temporary screen to prevent possible nesting until the full fresh air vent is installed.
    Quote Originally Posted by Trent Tarter View Post
    That's what I was thinking.
    Temporary since '94, yeah, right.

    Most people are pretty clueless when it comes to HRV systems. I find them turned off more often than not and the intakes are stuffed full of sticks and leaves.
    I rarely find them in the new houses. It was like a passing fad in this climate. We can just open a window to get fresh air, why not, eh?

    John Kogel, RHI, BC HI Lic #47455
    www.allsafehome.ca

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •