Venting cabinet to outdoors

rjsteets

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Apr 25, 2017
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I want to install a fan in my equipment cabinet for my home theatre to push air directly through the wall of my home to the outdoors. What concerns should I be considering for this solution?
 

MWP0004

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Oct 26, 2016
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Moisture entering the case from the outside, temperature fluctuation depending on the temperatures that are reached outside your house.

Not to mention critters seeking warmth trying to enter.
 

rjsteets

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Apr 25, 2017
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Thanks for the quick response. So is it a bad idea to vent to the outdoors?
 
If you could install an airtight damper in the vent pipe, and close it whenever you are not using the electronics, it may prevent the moisture/critter issue. You could use a 5' or 6" solid PVC pipe for the vent. Also put a cover on the outside (like a clothes dryer vent cover) to prevent rain from getting inside the pipe.
 

ChronicTonic

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Apr 14, 2017
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I would suggest that you maybe don't want to do that. Humidity will be a real problem, vermin will find the way into your home unless you pack the vent hole with copper or steel wool (which will impede your airflow), and generally come with a bunch of unanticipated consequences.

But worst is this: Your house has a complicated airflow/pressure balance situation just like your PC case. Anytime a combusting device turns on (furnace, hot water for ex), the entire air flow and pressure balance changes. A furnace or hot water heater running gas or oil will consume very large volumes of air. If you punch an unvalved hole in an outside wall without careful air balance and pressure testing before and after, then when the furnace kicks on it may draw huge volumes of outside air through that hole...and right into your PC. That outside air will be filled with dust, pollen, grit, spores...all settling nicely onto your expensive and sensitive electronics.

Not to mention the difficulty of making such a hole weathertight. If not installed carefully, flashed and caulked just so, you risk allowing water to get into the wall itself, which will guarantee destruction of that wall from the inside out. And that will NOT be a small repair.

So, all in all, I'd personally suggest you reconsider. I just don't think there is enough upside to make the project worth it. Your PC can not substantively benefit, IMO.

Best of Luck!
 

rjsteets

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Apr 25, 2017
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Ok. You've given me plenty of cause for concern. I'm especially concerned about drawing in dirt and dust. We usee a whole house fan that sucks air into the house during cool summer nights. That alone brings in dust. An additional entry point feeding directly into my expensive gear could be a nightmare. I will just have to vent into the room. I wished to avoid this for cosmetic reasons. I will turn my mind to fixing the cosmetics instead of external venting. Many thanks to all who offered their expert guidance.