I have a room in my house that is consistently 5 degrees warmer than the others, mainly because it gets a lot of sunlight, has old windows that let heat in, and is the only room with just one AC vent. I'm planning on adding another ceiling register that matches the current one, which will connect to a 6" exhaust duct with an inline fan to help pull the hot air out into the attic. I'm doing this as a DIY project to manage through the hot Florida summers since I can't afford new windows or ductwork right now. Is this a feasible solution or just a waste of time and money? Has anyone tried something similar?
3 Answers
Using an exhaust fan for that room isn’t the typical solution, and instead of venting hot air into the attic, you’d be better off venting it out through the roof or to the side of the house. Have you thought about installing a sunshade or tinting the windows? That can really help keep the heat down. I’d also suggest using some shades or putting a fan in the window to help on the cheap while you save for a more permanent fix.
Have you considered AC registers with built-in fans to boost airflow into that room? I did try one but found it didn’t work well for me, so I think focusing on creating a current by having an exhaust vent might be a better idea. Just keep in mind that venting air out will require outside air to come in, which could be warm too.
I wouldn’t recommend venting the hot air directly into your attic since that could create other issues. A window fan might work better to exhaust the hot air outside. Try covering the windows and placing a small fan to blow air into the hallway—it might make a difference! I found that adding some insulation or shading helps in my situation too.