Walk in Closet - Does it need HVAC register?

4 years ago

Hey all. I have an older home that's been retrofitted with center heating and air, unit seems to be about 10 or so years old, well before I purchased. It also has drop ceilings here and there which carry the air vents. I have a walk in closet (7'x7') with an 8' ceiling. Two of it's walls are interior (one is shared with the master bath) and the other two are exterior (north and west facing). While it's not terrible, I've noticed that the closet is a bit hotter than the bedroom which is the hottest room in the house (it has ~15ft ceiling and the air vent for it is at the entry, not central to the room, not sure if this is why). My question is should I try to extend the vent from the master bath into the master closet, essentially splitting that one run in two? Or is there something else I should be doing?

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PRO

Charles Ross Homes

4 years ago

If your closet has two exterior walls as described, it contributes to your home's heating and cooling loads. Even it if didn't, large closets should have air circulation to minimize the potential for mold, and mildew.

Given your master bedroom is the hottest room in the house, I'd be concerned about altering any air flows; you might make the bedroom problem worse. I suggest you get a recommendation from someone who can have a first hand look at your system.

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Comments (7)

mike_home
4 years ago
Extending the vent from the mater bath into the closet might work well. How strong is the current air flow from the master bath and master bedroom air vents? How does the temperature of the bathroom compare to the bedroom? In my opinion would be acceptable to take some air from the bathroom, but not from the bedroom. You have to understand how these supply vents are connected before making the change.
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Noor
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks all. I'll get up in the attic and see if I can see where the runs come from and where they branch off. The bathroom is the same size as the closet and it's a lot cooler than the closer, it shares the same west facing wall as the closet.
PRO
Charles Ross Homes
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Keep in mind that air flow in the bathroom doesn't just provide comfort; it helps to control relative humidity, too. You might want to purchase an inexpensive thermo hygrometer and get some data on temperatures and relative humidity before altering air flows.
Noor
Original Author
4 years ago
That's interesting Charles. I'm not sure how well that tool would help. Right now that bathroom is ripped up completely so it's not in use. Unfortunately none of the bathroom have electric exhaust fans so that's another item I'll have to tackle which will be super interesting for the 1st floor bath.

I did manage to get up in the attic and from the handler there is a large duct that's running to the master. It then splits to the bathroom with a smaller shaft. That would be the one I'd want to break off from, essentially teeing into it for the closet. Thoughts?
PRO
Charles Ross Homes
4 years ago
My advice is not to decrease air flow to the bathroom until you have installed a properly sized vent fan to deal with moisture from showers and baths. I prefer installing a combination vent fan/recessed light in the shower, but you can install it outside the shower if venting is an issue. I run mine off a timer and set it to run for 30 minutes following a shower.
mike_home
4 years ago
You are in a good situation in that the duct work for the bathroom and closet are past the master bedroom. You can add a T connection for the closet. I suggest you add a damper so you can regulate the air flow to the closet. This will allow adjustments in case the bathroom is not warm or cool enough.