I have a in-wall heater just like this one:
(source: oly5star.com)
It sucks cold air from lower part of vent, heats inside, and blows it out in the upper part of the vent.
Now I have the basic problem of putting a wooden cabinet in front of it. I can let the cabinet 8 inches away from the wall, but that doesn't solve my issue. The air stays hooked in that small region. The cabinet heats, which is not a problem. The problem is that the room stays cold!
What I really want is a different cover with a custom air ducts. I want the heater to suck air from the floor, heat it, and blow it straight to the top:
Is there an easy way to build these ducts myself? Remember the ducts must be heat-resistant!
Best Answer
Probably not the answer you want to hear, but the manufacturer of your heater would most likely prohibit the alteration of air flow into and out of the unit. Doing so would void the industry safety certifications required for manufacturers, the warranty, and would probably not be safe.
Additionally, all wall heaters have minimum clearance requirements for the placement of objects in front, 8" is likely too close for placement of combustibles (like wood cabinets).
I would recommend that you discontinue use of the wall heater if it does not fit your design plans. There are many types of plug-in electric room heaters that work for a variety of room sizes. Many of these are very quiet, inexpensive, and efficient (probably more efficient then that wall heater) and you can place it anywhere in the room you want.