Between Room Ventilator
Equalizes Pressure

Condar Company introduced a new low-cost ventilator at recent hearth trade shows, to address common pressure problems inside homes. The new Between Room Ventilator (BRV) equalizes pressure between rooms in a house, and requires minimal installation time, according to company spokesman Eddie Taylor.

"American houses often have internal-pressure problems generated by the HVAC system, impacting operation of hearth products. Supply ducts and returns are imbalanced or cannot properly 'communicate' with each other, creating zones of intense negative pressure," says Taylor. "If the hearth appliance is operating in one of these zones, it won’t work right."

Usually the HVAC system is balanced initially, but changes in the home or the behavior of the residents create pressure problems later. "The bedrooms may only have supply ducts, with the home's return duct located in the hallway. When bedroom doors are closed there is supposed to be enough space under the door for air to flow back to the return. But doors get replaced or new carpet is installed. Installing a BRV will 'reconnect' the HVAC system. And reduce the resulting negative pressure impeding the efficient performance of a fireplace or heating stove."

The new ventilator has a pair of six-inch-square wall grills connected by a four-inch round duct, which telescopes to accommodate varying wall thicknesses. The duct has cleverly-designed acoustical foam partitions to deaden sound transmission and to completely block light transmission, while still allowing air to flow freely between rooms. Typical installation, which takes just a few minutes, is over an interior door. If desired, the polymer louvers can be painted with any latex paint to match wall colors.