HVAC combustion air vent?

[sdarden (Steve Darden)]

During a recent inspection, 65 year old house, found this on the roof. It had the copper refrigerant lines (uninsulated) running to it and I think this vent is connected to it m. Is it for makeup air? Why are the refrigerant line part of it? Thanks for your comments

[ruecker (Ryan Uecker)]

Looks like it is being used for combustion air. The lines are ran through it as an easy pathway. It sure is ugly though.

[kleonard (Kevin Leonard, CPI/CMI)]

I agree with @ruecker that it’s a combustion air intake, same on the lines routed through it.

[mroberts21 (Mark Roberts)]

@ruecker

It sure is ugly though.

Yes and why would it be oriented the way it is? Not only will water bounce into it, it’s going to catch leaves and whatever other debris winds up on the roof.

Flipped 180, water will bounce away and any debris will float over it once it gets high enough.

[bcawhern1 (Brian Cawhern, CMI)]

@mroberts21

Yes and why would it be oriented the way it is?

I suspect they were trying to minimize the fact that the intake is too close to the exhaust.

[sdarden (Steve Darden)]

Thanks to you both!

Steve Darden
Peacock Inspections
254-234-5772
713-854-7053

Please forgive tpyo’s!

[ruecker (Ryan Uecker)]

@bcawhern1

I suspect they were trying to minimize the fact that the intake is too close to the exhaust…

Good catch!

[mroberts21 (Mark Roberts)]

@bcawhern1

I suspect they were trying to minimize the fact that the intake is too close to the exhaust.

Ah, yes. Good catch.

That makes it even more crappy. They could have obtained supply air from a lot of places, putting the vent on backwards is stupid and allowing moisture into the home.

[sdarden (Steve Darden)]

Sorry all three comments are appreciated!

Steve Darden
Peacock Inspections
254-234-5772
713-854-7053

Please forgive tpyo’s!

[sdarden (Steve Darden)]

True, that’s the furnace. Didn’t catch it. Thanks.

Steve Darden
Peacock Inspections
254-234-5772
713-854-7053

Please forgive tpyo’s!

[ryoung7 (ROBERT YOUNG, CMI)]

@sdarden

refrigerant lines

Call it out.
No utility should pass through an air duct system.
HVAC systems have priority to all other trades and there should be no conflict with the duct systems.
Thank David Anderson for the InterNACHI forum in 2006 post.

Freon lines in return air plenum

I would like to know what others think about having electrical wiring, freon lines, ect. in a return air plenum/chase. Seems that the majority of HVAC systems that sit on top of a platform in a closet allmost always have wiring and such in the plenum. Although I have read articles that these conditions should be reported because of having possible hazardous matarials in the plenum. I know that some areas will not allow you to do this. Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks

[ryoung7 (ROBERT YOUNG, CMI)]

@bcawhern1

I suspect they were trying to minimize the fact that the intake is too close to the exhaust.

I suspect they were uneducated, dumb and dumber, lazy and friggen morons.