Has Anyone Seen??

Mike Finley

You're talking about this stuff:



Very interesting info and it sounds like you've got an even better solution.

Most of the fans we install have a 4 inch vent connection on the side, this connect is usually located on the fan where there wouldn't be enough clearance between the drywall of the ceiling to allow something as large as a 6 inch step down to fit on this fan connection.

How are you dealing with that?

What if any other cons are associated with this method?

jarvis design

Is it a Fernco?? I have not seen anything else other than what is pictured here in Canada.

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TTR

Mike-

That is the stuff I'm talking about. If you have a straight short shot through a conditioned space use 4" ridged, you'll be fine. We are typically dealing with bath fans in attics where we have space to put the expander and run the 6" insulated line. Whenever you put a line in an unconditioned space make sure it is insulated or it will condense on the inside in winter and start raining on the person in the bathroom, or sit in the line and rust or mold etc.

If you want to get really fancy, Take the fan out of the bathroom and use an inline fan in the attic or underneath the bath floor. You can vent multiple points with one fan, it's quite and you can put a vent point right in the shower without special wiring.

It's also a solution if you don't want to disturbed an existing fan in the ceiling that no longer works if you have access above. Gut the existing box so it's only a pick up point, have your electrician wire an in line fan and you have a quite ceiling fan with no drywall/plaster work.

I took a class about ventilation that really opened my eyes to how to make it work in bathrooms. If you want to talk more about it I could gladly make some time.

MALCO.New.York

None of this answers my Original Inquisition........

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MALCO.New.York

Fernco makes all sorts of Hubbed and Non-Hubbed Rubberized Fittings.

http://www.fernco.com/

A "For Instance":




http://www.plumbersurplus.com/images...7188-25513.jpg


http://www.drillspot.com/pimages/351/35131_300.jpg

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MALCO.New.York

The Problem with the Flex-Tube is the Ribs. It creates many a Vortex point, which in-turn creates many a condensation point, which in-turn creates many a puddle, which in-turn creates many potential Mold Growth Sumps.

Catch me drift?

Not to mention if that Insulation gets Saturated...........

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TTR

I'm sorry I got off track, you are correct. What I'm trying to do is take the restriction away between the fan and the termination point with the 6" line. With the system I'm proposing the fan only sees about 1' of straight 4" hard line and I'm able to make multiple turns with no reduction in cfm. I hope that answers your question.

MALCO.New.York

That does make sense. It is a preventive measure. A measure to prevent any EXTRA restriction.

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Mike Finley

Thanks, we will probably experiment a little with this, for my question I assumed a simple 45 off the exhaust fan would work then the 4 to 6 step up, but I wanted to see if you might have more tricks up your sleeve.

I'm always looking for ways to get away from custom building everything and more systematic approaches. I like the 4" PVC solutions over the sheet metal duct work, however they are always custom solutions based on bends and angles needed, plus the issue of larger material and getting it into attics... etc...

Moving to a solution like the 6" flex duct that won't compromise CFM air flow looks like it could be more of a systematic solution and applied to more situations the same way, since it's flexible and you only need a couple of connectors instead of a whole box all the time.

Thanks for the info, we will look into this.

Tom M

TTR what is this third party testing? You cant just use larger duct to over come obstructions or bends. Please explain.....On one hand you overcome the drag yes but you also just lost a lot of velocity. Same thing applies to heating equipment or dryers. Smooth wall pipe is best for all applications but flex for a bath is harmless. As for the in line units they are awesome, you can have one unit that vents multiple baths but the equipment is corded and plugged by an electrican and needs to be accessible. If you have an un accessible attic forget it.

TTR

Third party testing is done by a home performance energy consultant they are part of focus on energy in Wisconsin, its a program to improve the energy usage of buildings.

I thought the same thing you did with smooth wall pipe for bath fans until I saw the demonstration in a ventilation class with the flow hood. The numbers don't lie when you test it, other contractors have been doing this with success in Wisconsin. Third party testing is done by a home performance energy consultant they are part of focus on energy in Wisconsin, its a program to improve the energy usage of buildings.

I thought the same thing you did with smooth wall pipe for bath fans until I saw the demonstration in a ventilation class with the flow hood. The numbers don't lie when you test it, other contractors have been doing this with success in Wisconsin. Another trick I learned is to coat the bottoms of the louver flaps on the termination point with a Teflon spray to help them not to freeze up from condition.

We use to run hard-line and then pull the insulated jacket over the hard-line in unconditioned spaces. We would even pitch the hard line to the exterior to drain any condensation that might occur. Now installation is much quicker and easier especially in tight spaces and we have great results.
Another trick I learned is to coat the bottoms of the lover flaps on the termination point with a Teflon spray to help them not to freeze up from condition.

We use to run hard-line and then pull the insulated jacket over the hard-line in unconditioned spaces. We would even pitch the hard line to the exterior to drain any condensation that might occur. Now installation is much quicker and easier especially in tight spaces and we have great results.

MALCO.New.York

I am smellin' sales pitch.

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Ultimate Wisdom---------
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TTR

I have nothing to sell, it not even a product just a different way of installing something, I honestly didn't think it would be that controversial. I'm just a big building science geek that likes learning more efficient ways and talking about subjects like this. I thought finally I had something to contribute to the great wealth of knowledge that everyone possesses here.

MALCO.New.York

Just my attempt at "feeling you out".

No Harm, No Foul!

__________________
Something to One may be Nothing to another!

Ultimate Wisdom---------
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Mike Finley

Keep it coming. It's a breath of fresh air to actually learn something instead of read about somebody trying to figure out is they should sell decks by the pound or how much does a house cost by the gallon.

rbsremodeling

I got that failing inspection here. Just see an inspector pulling you up on its use.

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neolitic

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neolitic

Got to say,
the kid's got me thinking.

Pretty clever for a cheese head.

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Tom M

Fair enough Tony but there has to be a trade off. It has to loose more distance than a few elbows would. Say you used a joist bay as a insulated plenum there would be no resistance but how far can you go?