I’ve got bathroom, with a shower, and no exhaust fan. There is a large bulkhead with 2 ducts running through it. The closest is probably for the hot water heater. What are the issues with tying in a Y and adding an exhaust fan to the bathroom. I’ve never seen this done, so I’m assuming there is good reason not to, but at the same time, it would save adding another exhaust hood on the exterior of the house.
Can someone explain the cons of this to me, I’d like to know. Thanks.
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Replies
Absolutelhy not!
That's an authoritative answer. Do you have an authoritative explanation? I'm really looking for an explanation.
Anthoratative
You bet !
Simplest reason is it is a code violation.
Reason: You are thinking of tying into a combustion applaince vent. That can have some adverse effects on your families health and safety. Possible scenerios include natural gas asphixiation, explosive build up of ng, carbon monoxide poisioning. and the list goes on. No way to predict the number of ways you could endanger yourself and family.
Run a seperate vent for the new bathroom exhaust , sized for the units rated cfm. Take in outside the building envelope through a wall or the roof.
The biggest "con" is that
The biggest "con" is that you'll kill yourself and everyone else in the house.
What these other guys are saying
You can't tie a vent fan outlet into a gas appliance vent pipe, ever, under any circumstances. If there is another vent fan duct, you may be able to tie in, but probably not unless you upsize the pipe that goes from the junction to the exterior. You are most likely better off just running an entirely new fan exhaust all the way out.
Think about what would happen if your water heater is trying to exhaust its combustion gases, but the fan is blowing air down the pipe at the same time? You would get massive spillage of gases at the draft hood and your house would fill up with it.
You can't tie a vent fan into a plumbing vent either. Seen that one too....