home-theaterventventilation
I located some home theater gear in a closet directly behind our family room where the TV is located. Now the closet, a sizeable walk-in, is getting rather warm.
How do I install a simple vent above the closet door to allow the heat to circulate out? Is it as simple as cutting an appropriate sized hole in the drywall and putting up some stock return grills? Can grills be screwed directly to the drywall and/or fastened with drywall anchors? Is there anything else to consider?
The vent doesn't need to be unclogged. You stated that paper is held to the register. That scenario shows that air flows through the vent unrestricted. The probable reason it might appear to be blocked (when the window is closed) is you reside in a well sealed building that has few drafts. With out going into detail about air flow; the reason you detect air movement when the window is opened is due to air flow from outside having a unrestricted passage through your vent. When the window is closed the air currents have to detour around the building walls.
Make a 4" dia plug from a 1x6 or plywood, screw eyelet into center, clamp plug into dryer vent with worm gear clamp. Pull through with your fish tape. Perhaps a taped cone could be centered over the plug (and the fish tape lead through the center, for better insulation tracking).
Down the road this lint brush will remove any buildup. This one has a 10ft shaft.
I'd urge you to convert to smooth walled metal duct and add a screened vent wall cover or a spring loaded damper.
Best Answer
Depending on the structure, the header of the door may be load bearing and you'll be met with a solid block of wood behind the drywall that shouldn't be cut. Drill a small test hole from the inside of the closet first.
Otherwise, installing a return grill on each side of the wall is fairly simple. Leave at least an inch or two border to the edge of the return grill so that the screws are not near the edge of the drywall. And it wouldn't hurt to use some plastic drywall anchors because drywall itself will easily crumble if you over-tighten the screw.
A few tips, turn the grill so the vents face the ceiling where you cannot see into the hole. And if you can, make a second vent towards the floor since you need a source of cooler air to replace the hot air you're trying to vent out.