A/C Vent Booster Fan

 by chuckers
Featured
register fan.JPG
stuff.JPG
fan apart.JPG
drill rivits.JPG
cutting.JPG
screw detail.JPG
all done.JPG
cool feet.JPG
We have some rooms in our house that never seem to cool down because the A/C doesn't seem to move enough air. I've been told to make sure the filter is clean and NOT one of those pleated hypoallergenic ones, (cheap free-flowing is better for a/c), open all the vents and leave the thermostat fan switch in the ON position; not AUTO. Some rooms just need a little boost though, so we found this little fan that fits over the vent. It works great but cost $35.
I started withe a 4" fan and a plastic tub that fit over the register.
Find a fan that you can take apart or it'll be more work if you have to drill and pop-rivit it back together.
I had to drill rivits  and remove the stand (watch your fingers...)
I attached the cover to the inside of the tub and carefully cut out the inside, leaving a little extra around the screw holes.
After re-assembling the fan, I drilled a hole for the cord.
The finished product with cool feet.
spylock says: Dec 6, 2012. 1:08 PM
I just bought a new heat exchange fan at the Good Will for $2.00 I figured at that price Id find a use for it.
remedios667 says: Jun 29, 2012. 6:51 PM
not a bad concept.....but, HVAC tech here.....the best way to get vent output is to close the other vents (proportionally).....especially the one closest to the thermostat....circulate air out of the room with low vent psi with a small fan (at floor level)....air will stagnate at floor level and cool air will not penetrate the denser air......a laminar airflow out of the room towards the nearest air intake will form a vacuum at the cool air register......remember, there is a limited amount of air coming from your air handler / furnace if the vents closest to the furnace HVAC are fully open there is little pressure available for the outlying vents....
Redstormx1 in reply to remedios667Jun 30, 2012. 7:28 PM
hvac tech here to and i say get an air balance .. you could jump in your roof and do it if it has damper blades on the outlets.
Also make sure your indoor coil is not dirty.
Dapper Hippo says: Jun 29, 2012. 7:21 PM
Nice! I did something similar, albeit not as pretty. I sealed a 100 blade blower fan to the vent. The room is now often 10 degrees (F) cooler than the hallway leading into it.
tobeamiss says: Jun 28, 2012. 7:13 AM
great idea.
PaganRaven says: Jun 27, 2012. 6:55 PM
We have a few rooms that need one of these! Very "cool" 'ible! Thumbs up =)
chuckers (author) in reply to PaganRavenJun 28, 2012. 6:07 AM
Thanks! I have to figure out the "next step" part of creating 'ibles
idahobeef says: Jun 28, 2012. 5:01 AM
AWESOME! My bedroom gets very little cool air from our central heat and air system, and I have been roasting all summer. I will try this one. THANKS!
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