I am removing an interior non-load bearing wall and need to move an HVAC duct a few studs over. I am leaving a short wall near the exterior to accommodate the duct as well as to serve as an endpoint to some 24” deep kitchen cabinetry.
Ideally, Id like the duct as close to the exterior wall as possible. The upper section connects in the attic space so I don’t want to move it so far as to make the installation difficult (attic section will be insulated). Is there a minimum distance I need to preserve from the exterior wall to the ductwork or can it go pretty much anywhere on the inside, e.g right against the exterior wall in the last stud Space on the left, pictured? Thanks
Best Answer
There is no minimum for running hvac near an exterior wall.
In fact you can run hvac outside (my old house had hvac under slab) and you can certainly run hvac in exterior walls. There are extra insulation precautions and some loss of energy in these cases but you have to do what you have to do.
Your case isn't as extreme. In fact it isn't extreme at all because your hvac is inside of the insulated bubble albeit closer to the edge of the bubble. Meaning that the vents themselves will aid in the cooling and the heating of said bubble.
Addendum: Given the conversation about the lines in the attic I want to make two points.
If you live in a hot summer/cold winter climate I would not run flex lines in the attic - rigid all the way.
You need to WRAP your lines in the attic, not just bury them in blown in. You must treat an attic extension as you were running the lines outside - because basically they are.
And obviously we want the vents placed on the exterior because that is the coldest/hottest part of the house and the area that needs the most temperature control. No issue with your install.