Abandoned Ducts in the attic

Specific Inspection Topics Inspecting HVAC Systems
1

The pictures attached show a heating supply duct (or possibly a cold air return duct) in the attic of a circa 1955 home (bungalo) in Toronto Ontario. It was located just inside the attic access hatch. Pictures a little blurry, sorry.

I ran the furnace to see if it was either supplying or returning air and neither case was true (disconnected and / or sealed over the years I guess). I recommended sealing the opening in case a critter found its way into the attic and crawled into the open duct where it there got stuck and met its maker…

Has anyone ever seen this before? I can’t see it being a supply duct for an attic air conditioner… we don’t have many of those up here - or at least none that I have seen.

The house has its own A/C external compressor unit (over 20 years old).

Any suggestions?

Attic Duct 2 Web.jpg

Attic Duct 1 Web.jpg

2

I have seen it before, Nothing drastic or even do anything unless it enters the home envelope. Then block and seal it off.

3

I see a lot of kitchen exhaust fans and or bathroom exhaust fans that will be terminated into the attic in this fashion.

4

I suppose the house is too old for combustion air from the attic??

5

Was the furnace in a closet?
I ask because that looks more like a makeup air duct to supply fresh air to the furnace.

6

looks like makeup air to me. in that case you wouldnt see much air movement upon operating the furnace

7

The furnace is in the basement. There is no duct termination in the basement that I can link to this duct in the attic, unless it connects with a cold air return somewhere in a wall - which is very possible.

Thanks to all for your responses.

8

Same here, I see that all the time. Both in round ducts and rectangular like in the picture.

9

That is simply trash left over from the install which should have been taken out years ago.