Messages and Online Forum Q&A

Re: Running heating ducts to new addition

From: info@builderswebsource.com
Category: HVAC
Remote Name: 63.198.181.43
Date: 15 Dec 2002
Time: 12:16 PM

Comments

If the existing wall remains a load-bearing wall, we do not recommend cutting out every other "bay" of your rim joist for HVAC send and return ducts. Furthermore, without knowing how you plan to tap into your existing furnace, you may inadvertently create a flow deficiency in other parts of your home. Also, your existing furnace may or may not have sufficient incremental capacity to operate efficiently given the expanded volume it must heat. This frequently happens in remodels.

Given the significant size of your new addition (approximately 600 square feet), installing a new, small, energy efficient furnace sounds like a good idea. Zoned heating is very common in additions. Assuming you have a convenient space to install and properly vent the furnace, this is our vote based on the constraints you outline. However, if you'd still like to do something along the lines of your original proposal, we urge you to consult with a licensed structural engineer who can run load calculations for you and recommend a suitable way to reinforce the areas you plan to cut out.

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