How to Use Cool Crawlspace Air to Cool the Upstairs

The upstairs of a house is apt to warm up during the warm months of the year, and it can be costly to keep it cool with air conditioning. A cool crawlspace can provide a supply of cool air, but venting alone is not enough to draw the air up; because cool air naturally falls, you need to install a ventilation hole and a fan that will push air through the crawlspace.

Drill with 1/4-inch bit
Reciprocating saw
Vent cover
Screws
Screwdriver
Ventilation fan with a capacity of 60 to 90 cubic feet per minute

Instructions

- 1
  Drill a hole into the floor above the crawlspace where you want to place the vent with a drill and a 1/4-inch bit.
- 2
  Insert the tip of a reciprocating saw into the hole that you drilled and cut out a piece of the floor, according to the dimensions outlined by the vent cover manufacturer. Generally, the dimensions of the hole will be 1/4-inch smaller than the vent cover.
- 3
  Mount the vent cover in place with the screws recommended by the vent cover manufacturer and the appropriate type of screwdriver.
- 4
  Drill a hole into the wall near the bottom of the crawlspace.
- 5
  Insert the tip of the reciprocating saw into the hole and cut out a shape that conforms to the dimensions specified by the fan manufacturer.
- 6
  Install the fan by following the manufacturer's instructions. Make sure that there is a nearby electrical source as the fan must either be plugged into an outlet or hardwired into the electrical circuit. Be sure that the fan faces inward to draw air into the crawlspace.

How to Calculate How Much Sofit Venting for Cathedral Ceilings

Proper Venting for a Roof

Ventilation