Range hood for whole-house ventilation?
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Zone 4A. Whole house ventilation requirement is 67 CFM. Windows open 6 months/year during shoulder seasons. Range hood exhausts 250 CFM and is connected to a makeup air duct with damper (air is delivered through MERV filter to a central stairwell/atrium for maximum mixing). Q: could I not add a controller that turns the range hood on 1 hour six times/day?
Note: open floor plan so exhaust would draw from most of house.
If yes, can anyone suggest a controller for the range hood exhaust?
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Replies
David,
I'm sure that you could implement your plan with an inexpensive 24-hour timer (available from any electrical supply house).
I don't think it's a particularly good idea, however, for two reasons:
1. Range hood fans are noisy.
2. You'll be ventilating at a very high rate, followed by a period of time with no ventilation at all. This stop-and-go approach is more likely to lead to occupant complaints than using a quiet Panasonic exhaust fan, sized for your ventilation needs, operating for 24 hours a day.