i bought a house about 6 months ago the house is about 25 years old and in the middle of the celing in the living room there is a vent it has a dimmer type swich that controls it. what is the vent for? my theroy is that it was installed when the house was bulit in the 80's back when peple smoked alot so it was there to vent out the smoke.
2006-10-11 17:24:54 · 11 answers · asked by steve v 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
chances are this is an alternate intake/return duct for the HVAC system to mix fresh air with recirculated air to reduce heating/cooling costs. To test this hold a cigarette close to the vent while heat or ac is running if it draws the smoke in it is an intake for HVAC
2006-10-11 17:33:26 · answer #1 · answered by daniel s 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Back 25 years ago the heating was'nt very good. So either it is either part of your HVAC system or it is direct vent heater connected to an upper room some where to allow heat to rise to the upper floors of the house. A house I lived in when I was younger had one just like describing but as kids we used to use it as a means of comunication
2006-10-12 06:20:52 · answer #2 · answered by xxmack675hpxx 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like it could be a cool air return linked to the heating system. A heating/plumbing specialist could check it out for you. Since it's already wired, if you don't want to utilize it or you find it's not really doing anything, you could always put up a decorative ceiling fan with a light kit in it's place.
2006-10-12 00:37:34 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a return vent for the HVAC system. It is there to cycle air back through the system where it is recooled or heated and filtered. Check and see if it has a blue filter in it. If it does replace it every thirty days.
2006-10-12 00:35:50 · answer #4 · answered by sctjjeeper 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sound to me like it could be a forced air ventilation system. Those are needed in very well insulated houses. Most homes have natural infiltration through doors and window but in some cases homes are sealed up so tight that you need to force fresh air into them.
2006-10-12 07:52:46 · answer #5 · answered by thealternativemind 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My theory is your living room used to be part of a lavish master bathroom, and so that is why the vent is there. Hey, this guess makes as much sense as yours.
2006-10-12 09:51:15 · answer #6 · answered by Jeffrey S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a vent with a dimmer switch is usually for lights maybe someone disconected the light during a remodel.
2006-10-12 00:44:35 · answer #7 · answered by gimme420pot 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
some of the older houses had fans installed for in home vetalation instead of a/c.
2006-10-15 22:11:00 · answer #8 · answered by switchplate2003 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would ask whoever sold it to your call an electrician to figure it out.
2006-10-12 00:32:05 · answer #9 · answered by Amanda 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look at these crappy answers..its a dam attic fan
2006-10-12 08:45:59 · answer #10 · answered by bdat40oz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋