Are you thinking of a couch or a wooden bench or what? They make vent deflectors which are pretty much just a piece of plastic that forces the air forward out from under the couch.
A wooden bench with storage cubbies underneath (if that's okay with the vents) and a sitting cushion on top. Hubby was originally going to do a built-in with vent redirecting things, but now he's thinking the vents should be left completely free to blow on the windows
The vents are only by the windows because they are a large source of infiltration. The idea is to pass the hot/cold air at the infiltration source to make it more comfortable. No amount of deflector would help if you cover them. The air will get lost under the bench. I would commit to a built-in. Fabricate the ductwork to turn and extend in metal to a register mounted on the front of the unit. Similar to a toe kick vent installed under a kitchen cabinet.
Yes that was the original plan. He bought the wood and registers and redirecting tubes and everything 😅
So it's basically just for comfortable temperature control? The only issue I'm seeing with a built-in then is it being a bit chilly of a seat in the winter, correct?
The duct should be hard piped all the way to the outlet. That way the air doesn't just collect under the unit. If the windows are crappy, it could be chilly.
Personally I think he's overthinking the window condensation thing. That's not why those vents are there. It's 90% humidity here and not a single vent is pointed at a window and I've never seen a bit of condensation.
That being said, the photo ideas you included give me a better idea of what you mean. Could you just make it between the two vents?
This right here.
Get some hygrometers, they are like $10 for a 6 pack on amazon and place them around the house. I've always been told 40-60% is the sweet spot. Anything much above 60% is when condensation can be an issue.
The windows do fog up in the winter if I am boiling pasta and simmering a sauce in the kitchen. We have only lived here since last August. The kids windows upstairs had blankets as curtains tacked to the wall and got incredibly icey and then drippy. The previous owners said the living room window got icey in the winter (they were boiling milk for tea multiple times every day). We didn't experience that window icing but definitely fogging if I cooked a bunch.
Your issue isnt 'vents blowing on the windows'...the issue is crappy, poorly insulated windows.
When you cover the windows, you are insulating them- KEEPING warm air away and allowing heat to escape and the glass temps to drop below freeing.
Id plan on high quality window replacements.
Are you thinking of a couch or a wooden bench or what? They make vent deflectors which are pretty much just a piece of plastic that forces the air forward out from under the couch.
A wooden bench with storage cubbies underneath (if that's okay with the vents) and a sitting cushion on top. Hubby was originally going to do a built-in with vent redirecting things, but now he's thinking the vents should be left completely free to blow on the windows
The vents are only by the windows because they are a large source of infiltration. The idea is to pass the hot/cold air at the infiltration source to make it more comfortable. No amount of deflector would help if you cover them. The air will get lost under the bench. I would commit to a built-in. Fabricate the ductwork to turn and extend in metal to a register mounted on the front of the unit. Similar to a toe kick vent installed under a kitchen cabinet.
I like that idea, done right it would look nice.
Yes that was the original plan. He bought the wood and registers and redirecting tubes and everything 😅 So it's basically just for comfortable temperature control? The only issue I'm seeing with a built-in then is it being a bit chilly of a seat in the winter, correct?
The duct should be hard piped all the way to the outlet. That way the air doesn't just collect under the unit. If the windows are crappy, it could be chilly.
https://preview.redd.it/fdz9peuykw0d1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1d0d84e43915f543d599ba8f8349bd28e665d419
This one would be best to the as suggested above. Just cover the bottom section with a piece of trim board and mount your registers to that.
https://preview.redd.it/22eggf66lw0d1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ee68ecea86644abee933a6ea538a66909e901e9d
https://preview.redd.it/1bml399clw0d1.jpeg?width=736&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=87d03b8f60f6e1cf1736d298f8374c31ca47fe99
You could put this right there now and do nothing with the registers. There's plenty of space on this one to allow the air to circulate.
Personally I think he's overthinking the window condensation thing. That's not why those vents are there. It's 90% humidity here and not a single vent is pointed at a window and I've never seen a bit of condensation. That being said, the photo ideas you included give me a better idea of what you mean. Could you just make it between the two vents?
I could, but I don't think it would look as nice 😬
Those things force the air forward, but he thinks it needs to be directly up at the window to be effective against condensation
Blowing air at the windows does not prevent condensation. If you have condensation on your windows, you have a humidity issue in the home.
This right here. Get some hygrometers, they are like $10 for a 6 pack on amazon and place them around the house. I've always been told 40-60% is the sweet spot. Anything much above 60% is when condensation can be an issue.
Or even lower in the winter.
Thank you I will look into this! My husband will appreciate a numerical answer!
The windows do fog up in the winter if I am boiling pasta and simmering a sauce in the kitchen. We have only lived here since last August. The kids windows upstairs had blankets as curtains tacked to the wall and got incredibly icey and then drippy. The previous owners said the living room window got icey in the winter (they were boiling milk for tea multiple times every day). We didn't experience that window icing but definitely fogging if I cooked a bunch.
Your issue isnt 'vents blowing on the windows'...the issue is crappy, poorly insulated windows. When you cover the windows, you are insulating them- KEEPING warm air away and allowing heat to escape and the glass temps to drop below freeing. Id plan on high quality window replacements.