Basement Ventilation Question

[beadergal]

I am planning to set up a studio place in my basement this winter. I have windows in the basement, but the windows are located in window wells. My thought is to have the window removed from one of the windows, and have the exhaust put in that area, but it would be venting out to the window well. It is not covered, just below ground level by about 12 - 18 inches.

My question, for ventilation (specifically fan output), would the window wells pose a problem?

Thanks in advance, I'm looking forward to getting advice on this.

Wendy

[Dale M.]

I am planning to set up a studio place in my basement this winter. I have windows in the basement, but the windows are located in window wells. My thought is to have the window removed from one of the windows, and have the exhaust put in that area, but it would be venting out to the window well. It is not covered, just below ground level by about 12 - 18 inches.

My question, for ventilation (specifically fan output), would the window wells pose a problem?

Thanks in advance, I'm looking forward to getting advice on this.

Wendy

Probably not...But are all the windows in basement in same well?

IF you can vent on one side of basement and draw makeup air on opposite side of basement it would be better situation

Also you may consider after basement duct goes through "window", to put a couple of feet of duct on end of vent to get it above ground level where prevailing breeze and convection will allow contaminated air to be diluted by normal air currents around house... Also are there any 1st floor windows that remain open with in 6-8 feet of basement window well? If may be that rising air from well could be pulled in on 1st floor if any windows are open above well.

Dale

[beadergal]

Thanks for the response.

There are a total of 6 windows in the basement, all in separate window wells. Currently 4 have solid glass block windows and 2 have glass block with a vent opening in the center of the glass block. The window that I'm considering removing to use for the exhaust for the ventilation is one of the vented windows. The other vented window is opposite from this area, but it is in a separate section of the basement and keeping the door open to this area may provide cross ventilation. The vent opening on this window is not large, as these are not big windows. I could have a vented window put in the only other window well area that is in this section of the basement. This may allow for some air to be drawn in.

Above the window where I am considering putting the studio is a window in the kitchen. On nice days, it might be open, but typically it is kept closed. I do have central air in my home and I do use that during the summer.

My other consideration is setting up a studio in the garage, however that may be of considerable expense and may pose limitations for working in the winter.

Again, thanks for the response, I need to get a lot figured out before I begin.

Wendy

[MikeAurelius]

Be sure that you have at least 50 square inches of opening - this is equivalent to an 8" round duct. Most of the openings I've seen in block windows are small than this - so be careful - you need the 50 square inches to ensure that you do not restrict the airflow in anyway going through the opening.

It would be far better, in my opinion, to duct through the window and up the wall to avoid any pooling of contaminates and draw from a possible open window.