Dumb question: I was considering a split AC system (ducting through the external wall) to cool a particular room instead of using central AC (cooling the whole house when not needed).
This is in the funny pictures thread but perhaps it would in concept actually work (assuming the fireplace duct is open).
Is this really functional? Or is this dumb? If this actually would work, it would be easy for me to as DIY. The split AC would require a contractor and be more expensive.
I have no need for the fireplace otherwise.
"Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it." L.Tolstoy "A government is just a body of people, usually, notably, ungoverned." Shepherd Book
Posts: 13300 | Location: In the gilded cage | Registered: December 09, 2007
And heat exhaust. Without some sort of vent low on the fireplace to at least induce some airflow of hot air, it would operate way too hot. Even then, I doubt it would be enough.
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Posts: 3372 | Location: Grapevine TX/ Augusta GA | Registered: July 15, 2007
Originally posted by IntrepidTraveler: And heat exhaust. Without some sort of vent low on the fireplace to at least induce some airflow of hot air, it would operate way too hot. Even then, I doubt it would be enough.
Interesting, I would of thought the heat would go up the chimney, didn't realize a vent would be needed.
Posts: 1474 | Location: Willcox, AZ | Registered: September 24, 2006
Hmmmm. Okay, so sounds like perhaps might be viable pursuant to condensate and airflow (perhaps a bathroom ceiling fan? But what about source for make-up air?).
But sounds like more ill-advised.
I guess the best way is still a (costly) split system.
"Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it." L.Tolstoy "A government is just a body of people, usually, notably, ungoverned." Shepherd Book
Posts: 13300 | Location: In the gilded cage | Registered: December 09, 2007
Originally posted by konata88: Hmmmm. Okay, so sounds like perhaps might be viable pursuant to condensate and airflow (perhaps a bathroom ceiling fan? But what about source for make-up air?).
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There's no combustion going on . Why would you need make up air ? In theory this is just like exhausting air out of the window .
Posts: 4446 | Location: Down in Louisiana . | Registered: February 27, 2009
I think it could work but I think the output of cool air will be limited by the exhaust of warm air out the back. The constrictions of the fireplace flume and upward ducting would be a problem I think.
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Posts: 6168 | Location: In the tent, in Houston, in Texas | Registered: October 23, 2002
Originally posted by Angus the Kid: I think it could work but I think the output of cool air will be limited by the exhaust of warm air out the back. The constrictions of the fireplace flume and upward ducting would be a problem I think.
That was my point, maybe I didn't make it well enough. With a window unit, you have the whole of the great outdoors as exhaust. If mounted in a fireplace, you have just the chimney, with very limited airflow to get rid of the heat.
Thus the metric system did not really catch on in the States, unless you count the increasing popularity of the nine-millimeter bullet. - Dave Barry
"Never go through life saying 'I should have'..." - quote from the 9/11 Boatlift Story (thanks, sdy for posting it)
Posts: 3372 | Location: Grapevine TX/ Augusta GA | Registered: July 15, 2007
Yea, as a non-expert, I was thinking perhaps a bathroom fan (300CFM?) w/ some allowance for make up air (this is tricky) would help with active upward ducting (rather than passive).
If this could work simply, then it'd be a nice, easy, reversible method to cool the room. Otherwise, would consider the split ac through the wall.
"Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it." L.Tolstoy "A government is just a body of people, usually, notably, ungoverned." Shepherd Book
Posts: 13300 | Location: In the gilded cage | Registered: December 09, 2007
Blower fan to blow the heat out of the chimney? Some chimneys have a fresh air vent, to prevent taking the air out of the room - any chance you have one of those? If not, can a hole be drilled in it, to let the water out?
Posts: 6068 | Location: Republic of Ice Cream, Low Country, SC. | Registered: May 24, 2007
And the bricks will absorb heat, but to a diminishing extent.
For reference read about how the Tube underground system in London has gotten hotter and hotter by the decade - not because of global warming - but because of the surrounding ground absorbing more and more of the heat from the trains operating, and being heat saturated and unable to fully dissipate the heat.
_________________________ NRA Endowment Member _________________________ "Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." -- C.S. Lewis
Posts: 5706 | Location: District 12 | Registered: June 16, 2012
Originally posted by konata88: Hmmmm. Okay, so sounds like perhaps might be viable pursuant to condensate and airflow (perhaps a bathroom ceiling fan? But what about source for make-up air?).
But sounds like more ill-advised.
Yes it would be.
An AC unit needs to be able to exhaust hot air....chimney works for that as hot air raises...and needs to be able to take in air to be cooled and pushed into the room. The larger issue is routing the condensate that is removed from the hot air.
quote:
I guess the best way is still a (costly) split system.
Mini-Splits solved this issue by having their condenser in the outside unit and routing the refrigerant to your room unit. The room unit circulates the air in the room, cooling it as it passes over the cooling coils...it is like the closed loop when you turn your car AC on the recirculate mode...as opposed to taking in outside airThis message has been edited. Last edited by: 9mmepiphany,
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Posts: 14301 | Location: northern california | Registered: February 07, 2003
Yea, not comfortable w/ unlocked window. I know people can still break-in with locked windows.
"Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it." L.Tolstoy "A government is just a body of people, usually, notably, ungoverned." Shepherd Book
Posts: 13300 | Location: In the gilded cage | Registered: December 09, 2007
FYI there are mini spilts for sale that are completely diy. The systems are pre charged with refrigerant and have a quick connect line set. Mount one inside one outside. Connect the two units and provide power. 110 out 220 depending on size.
Posts: 581 | Location: Texas | Registered: October 22, 2008
If your chimney had an access door for cleaning the ashes from outside, you should be able to put a good fan there to circulate the air through the chimney
Posts: 9592 | Location: Somewhere looking for ammo that nobody has at a place I haven't been to for a pistol I couldn't live without... | Registered: December 02, 2014
. Other than that, prolly work just fine.
