Ventilation for Workout Room

[kbuhagiar]

Hello Folks,

We have a large utility closet (10' x 6') in our residence. It is adjacent to, but completely separate from, our garage. We are going to convert it to a mini-workout room, to house an exercise machine (either a treadmill, elliptical, or bike, haven't decided yet).

My main concern is with ventilation. Other than an 18" x 18" sliding glass window (and the door into the hallway) there are no other sources of airflow. I am pretty sure that I will need to provide additional air circulation for the room, but I am pondering my options:

1) Replace the light fixture with a combo ceiling fan/light;
2) Install a wall-mounted exhaust/ventilation fan (on the one wall that is an outside wall);
3) Extend our existing HVAC into the room;
4) Some or all of items 1, 2, & 3 above

Thoughts?
Other options?

Thanks.

 

[6768rogues]

1. If you use a fan light, remember that you need to allow for makeup air. You can't **** air out of a box forever without makeup air. If outdoor temps are acceptable year round, you could turn on the fan and open the window for makeup air. Try to mount the fan so that air will not short circuit from the window to the fan without changing the air in the room. That is why bathroom doors are often cut short, so air will come in low under the door, sweep across the room and exit via the fan. The idea is to have the air mix and change room air.
2. Same as 1, make sure it is as far from the makeup air as possible. Might not work great if you only have one outside wall because it will tend to short circuit to the window and not change room air.
3. You need supply and return. If you only supply, the room will build up pressure and no more air will come in. If you vent it outside, the rest of the house will be at negative pressure and outside air will find its way in somewhere. If you hook it to the HVAC system, it has to be balanced with supply and return.
4. If possible, I would do number 3. If not and outside temps are comfortable most of the year, I would put in a good ceiling fan/light (not a cheap loud 50 CFM unit, something bigger with low sound) and vent it outdoors away from the window. Then open the window enough for makeup air.
5. Open the window and use a ceiling fan for some circulation. It will feel good, but you might stew in your own stench.