New Construction
New construction and remodeling projects offer the opportunity to deploy the best and most impressive venting options. Typically in these situations will focus on 'venting' (removing air from a system) where 'cooling' is more about protecting individual components.
The main advantage to considering and roughing in for cooling during construction is because you will not have to consider options and systems later. You will have a plan and have the ducting in place simply ready for a fairly quick and easy install which is really the same concept as pre-wiring... Now if the cabinetry can be easily equipped during gear installation then it may be preferable to go with more conventional venting options.
Ducting. Since we are discussing cabinetry, this would typically entail running ducting prior to drywall being installed. So basically ducting would be run to where a cabinet will be placed to house equipment and also consider at the same time other areas that could use ducting for AV equipment. This may included recessed displays, equipment closets, behind wine/beverage coolers is actually a very good idea as we often times have questions about venting wine coolers.
Fan Type. With this approach have to consider the fan type and there will be two options.
Inline Duct Fan. Ducting is run to where can then use a remote Inline Duct Fan (IDF) which this would typically mean there is attic space or a utility/equipment closet close to the area being venting (typically within 15-20'). Ducting would be run to behind the cabinet and to a duct box and then to the fan unit and then ducted to the HVAC return vent or other area.Local Fan Unit. The other option is to use a local fan and as an example, run 3" ducting to a duct box that will be behind a cabinet and then use a HiFlo or HiFlo Lite Pro inside the cabinet to exhaust the hot air. When venting like this, the exhaust should be run to either the HVAC return vent or another area within the home or office (conditioned space) and one advantage to running to the HVAC return is the HVAC system will assist in venting the cabinet.
