- #1
mrspeedybob
- 869
- 65
A couple questions about a "hot room" concept.
I had an idea that I may try to implement should I ever get around to building my dream house. I think of it as a "hot room". The idea is that there is a utility room which is positioned to receive most of the wast heat generated by household appliances. The radiator coils at the back of the refrigerator, the water heater, and the dryer exhaust would be vented to this room. It could also house a natural gas powered backup generator.
This room would be insulated both from the living space and from the outdoors. In the summer the room would be vented to the outdoors, reducing the energy needed to air condition the living space. In the winter the room would be vented to the living space, reducing the need for heat.
A couple of questions...
1. I googled for "hot room" and found nothing like this concept. Is there another name for it? Surely this is not an original idea.
2. The house I currently live in has a ventless natural gas heater. The combustion byproducts are vented directly into the room. The combustion is clean enough that the exhaust is not harmful. Could I expect the same exhaust quality from a natural gas powered generator? It seems like a shame to burn the gas and get only heat when I could get heat and electricity.
I had an idea that I may try to implement should I ever get around to building my dream house. I think of it as a "hot room". The idea is that there is a utility room which is positioned to receive most of the wast heat generated by household appliances. The radiator coils at the back of the refrigerator, the water heater, and the dryer exhaust would be vented to this room. It could also house a natural gas powered backup generator.
This room would be insulated both from the living space and from the outdoors. In the summer the room would be vented to the outdoors, reducing the energy needed to air condition the living space. In the winter the room would be vented to the living space, reducing the need for heat.
A couple of questions...
1. I googled for "hot room" and found nothing like this concept. Is there another name for it? Surely this is not an original idea.
2. The house I currently live in has a ventless natural gas heater. The combustion byproducts are vented directly into the room. The combustion is clean enough that the exhaust is not harmful. Could I expect the same exhaust quality from a natural gas powered generator? It seems like a shame to burn the gas and get only heat when I could get heat and electricity.