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Thread: cut duct boxes

  1. #1
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    Default cut duct boxes

    I took these pictures in an attic today. 1998 construction. There are holes cut in the tops of the duct boxes.

    The HVAC system is now pumping conditioned air directly into the attic. It pumps heat up there in the winter and cool in the summer.

    I have not seen this done before. Is there a good reason why this was done or is it some kind of wacky idea or screw up?

    To put it shortly....why? Why would you want to waste money trying to condition the attic space?

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  2. #2
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    Default Re: cut duct boxes

    I'm guessing the last HVAC duct person had to go into those and do some work, and then forgot to tape the piece they cut out back in.

    What a waste of energy all these years.

    I'll bet their heating and cooling bills where sky high and they never knew why.

    For things like, I'd want to find out who last worked on the duct and when, then then back bill them for all that wasted money.

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

  3. #3
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    Angry Re: cut duct boxes

    Most likely the last home owner that lost the house due to divorce.


  4. #4
    Ed Voytovich's Avatar
    Ed Voytovich Guest

    Default Re: cut duct boxes

    The ducts are clearly outside the conditioned space, so the homeowner is trying to condition the outdoors.

    We are indebted to you for finding this crime against nature. The good news is that you have located the real cause of global warming, so we can all breathe a sigh of relief and get back to business as usual.

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  5. #5
    Phil Brody's Avatar
    Phil Brody Guest

    Default Re: cut duct boxes

    Or foreclosure "retaliation", no reason whatsoever to have a hole.


  6. #6
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    Default Re: cut duct boxes

    Maybe that is where they pulled the dead rodent out from. Exterminators normally don't do repair work.

    rick


  7. #7
    Mark Schniers's Avatar
    Mark Schniers Guest

    Lightbulb Re: cut duct boxes

    Perhaps the folks wanted an easy way to rid their roof of snow and ice dams. What was the condition of the insulation & ventilation at the eves? Any ole which way, it was not an intelligent move.


  8. #8
    David McIntosh's Avatar
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    Thumbs down Re: cut duct boxes

    Jerry-

    You are correct. I am the owner and had no idea why my utility bills were so high. I've owned the home since it was built and I've had several HVAC people in over the years. Since I have no way of knowing who might have created this problem, how would you recommend I try to narrow it down and "back bill" the perpetrator?

    Dave


  9. #9
    Chuck Weaver's Avatar
    Chuck Weaver Guest

    Default Re: cut duct boxes

    Send all that have had access the bill. One of them probably knows he did it and my pay. Who knows.


  10. #10
    Chuck Weaver's Avatar
    Chuck Weaver Guest

    Default Re: cut duct boxes

    That should read "may" pay. Sorry for the type'o.


  11. #11
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    Default Re: cut duct boxes

    David,

    I told you about the heaps of knowledge one can find at this forum. However, I forgot to tell you about the colorful side of the personalities. Sorry about that.


  12. #12
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    Default Re: cut duct boxes

    Quote Originally Posted by David McIntosh View Post
    Jerry-

    You are correct. I am the owner and had no idea why my utility bills were so high. I've owned the home since it was built and I've had several HVAC people in over the years. Since I have no way of knowing who might have created this problem, how would you recommend I try to narrow it down and "back bill" the perpetrator?

    Dave
    As Chuck said: send a bill to every HVAC company *who has been in the attic*, if they were not in the attic then they could not have done that.

    Did you have a dispute with one about some work and made them come back out and correct it? If so, I would seriously consider them as target #1 as they may has said "I'll get even with that so-and-so."

    Any of them go up in the attic to do work on the ducts? Definitely high on the list.

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

  13. #13
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    Default Re: cut duct boxes

    Quote Originally Posted by David McIntosh View Post
    Jerry-

    You are correct. I am the owner and had no idea why my utility bills were so high. I've owned the home since it was built and I've had several HVAC people in over the years. Since I have no way of knowing who might have created this problem, how would you recommend I try to narrow it down and "back bill" the perpetrator?

    Dave
    Good Luck on trying to collect any money from any of these HVAC companies.

    Just with the comment of you said of "I have no way of knowing who might have created this problem" is exactly why your not going to collect a single buck from those guys.

    Sorry, its just not going to happen. No one wins at the blame game. You can fight the fight if you choose.

    I'd seal up the duct and move on. Save yourself the grief.

    Just my opinion.

    rick


  14. #14
    David McIntosh's Avatar
    David McIntosh Guest

    Default Re: cut duct boxes

    Thanks everyone for the input. I'm having it fixed today, so even if I never am able to collect from an HVAC company, at least I don't have to worry about the problem. A big thanks to John Dirks for finding the problem and directing me to this site.


  15. #15
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    Default Re: cut duct boxes

    You are welcome Dave. It was a pleasure working for you.

    I second the motion and thank the members here too.


  16. #16
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    Default Re: cut duct boxes

    If it was me I would start looking at all the old bills and see when the bill spiked up. Then look to see who worked on the system at that time.

    I think Rick did it! His post makes him look guilty

    Mike Schulz License 393
    Affordable Home Inspections
    www.houseinspections.com

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