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eliasgrace

Who installs makeup air? General contractor? HVAC contractor?

7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago

Long story short, we have had a terrible time with our previous contractor (turns out he and all his subs were using other people's licenses -- explains the shoddy work), and now we are going through the process of trying to hire a new contractor and also hiring some of our own subs.

Who should be responsible for installing the make up air? We will have a 48" Bluestar rangetop with double griddle and a 15" Miele induction cooktop, with a 74" Prizer hood, 1400 CFM remote blower (on side exterior wall, not roof). We want to install the 1600 makeup air system from Fantech as well as a Fantech silencer (if we can) and makeup air heater (10 KW).

I have called a few HVAC companies in our area and nobody install makeup air systems. The general contractors I have spoken also never done this kind of installation before. Are these installations (makeup air plus heater) self-explanatory and can I trust a GC to do it even if they've never done it before? Or do I call a commercial HVAC company? But they probably wouldn't be licensed to work in residential homes... Any suggestions????? Thanks!!!

Comments (4)

  • 7 years ago

    I think that before finding anyone, you would be advised to read the directions and consider what paths are available to you to fit the MUA air inlet, ducting/motor/filter/heater, and where the MUA air outlet will be, e.g., attic, basement, etc. You want the outlet to dump the MUA far enough from the hood to not cause cooking plume disturbances. You want a nice looking installation. Probably other factors will influence your choice. Ideally, you would want to figure out where the components should be installed and then direct someone who can supplement your goals with the techniques of the trade.

    You should be able to get a copy of the Fantech installation guide to study before ordering, as you may find some other parts Fantech makes are needed.

    Unless you are well skilled in do-it-yourself techniques, you will need a smart GC who can learn new things, or a HVAC company, perhaps commercial. I am not aware that commercial HVAC companies need special residential licenses, but I am not a HVAC installer. There is a HVAC forum here, I think, so you might ask them.

  • 7 years ago

    Thanks Kaseki....knew I could count on you!


  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    I agree, talk to a good HVAC contractor. Finding the good ones is the key point.

    I'd question if what you are asking for makes sense for your house (how new and how tightly, or not. is your home sealed). Do you want unheated/unconditioned air coming directly into your kitchen, do you want to stand under that supply of air when it is 32 degrees outside? Qualifier: I'm not familiar with Fantech products.

    What is used in newer, well sealed homes are devices knows as HRV or ERV (Heat Recovery Ventilators or Energy Recovery Ventilators). What these devices do is get any heat from air being exhausted from the structure (cooking, bathroom exhaust, clothes dryer exhausts, etc.), and exchange the heat to add it to air coming into the structure (some do exchange of moisture along with heat). In some areas, northern and colder climates and Canada, these devices are required by code.

    If your structure is older and enough makeup air comes in through door and windows seals, mail slots, screen doors, garage entrances, dryer and bathroom exhausts when not in use, etc., etc. then you don't want this arrangement.

    A good HVAC contractor will have someone on staff who understands all
    this stuff and can tell you what options make sense for your house.

  • 5 years ago

    future_retiree: The issue with MUA is that the volumetric flow rate needed is beyond what most houses would use for HRV and, when servicing larger hoods, well beyond the amount one would want to pull through the cracks in the walls. This is why the MUA systems typically use heaters. Also, deliberate MUA is required by most code enforcement entities on safety grounds, although some mitigation may be available depending on what one's combustion appliance configuration is.