Any logical reason for a register in unconditioned attic?
I was helping a friend move seasonal items into the unconditional attic of a rental house she is moving into (zone 5a), I was shocked to see a register in the floor of the attic. The heat was turned down and I am not certain if if was a heat vent or cold air return, but is there any reason for either to be in a unconditioned attic?
The home is older and has been remodeled and updated with a new direct vented propane furnace, and they are currently painting and repairing before she moves in at the end of the month. She knows they are planning a new roof in the spring and other fixes she is not certain of the specifics. I advised her to make sure the bathroom fan venting into the attic is one of their planned fixes, but am not sure what to advise her on the register.
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Replies
J. Gaub,
I'm not sure what you mean by a "duct vent," but it sounds like you are describing a floor register or grille.
You're right: there shouldn't be any reason for there to be a floor register or grille in a vented, unconditioned attic. Before jumping to conclusions, however, you'd need to do some investigation. Is this floor register connected to a duct? What type of duct? Is it on obsolete item that has been shut off and sealed? Or is it connected to the forced-air system?
Thanks, yes I meant register. Living in a house with no registers, the right word wouldn't come to mind.
Good point about it might be obsolete from the past renovation. I will go back and turn up the furnace so it is running and see if it is moving any air.