Ventilating a Closet

[diydude5]

So I currently have a bunch of servers in my closet and it is getting way overheated. There are no windows and the door is locked to prevent the kids from messing with it. I want to install a wall vent in the closet


The hallow closet wall is about 3"-4". I am pretty sure there is NO plumbing in between. I was just going to use a box cutter to cut it and then install a vent from home depot. I am no handyman so I want to hear some tips :)

thanks!

[Don_P]

Where are you going with the air from there?
If possible my first choice would be to buy a cheap hollow core door (unless it is one) and several large air return grills from the heating aisle. Cut holes through the door, put the grills on the pretty side and waa laa venting that doesn't damage the wall. Replace the original door when you go to sell.

[RTF]

Or you could buy a louvered door.

[Don_P]

Too easy :D

[Thumper]

are these "servers" the computer type or the maid & butler type?

if you are referring to the computer type... are they on the floor or on a shelf? tower case or pizza box? a real server or just a desktop workstation acting as a server?

You should try & figure out the exhaust pattern of the boxes, in most cases they exhaust out the back (though many tower cases do exhaust out the side nowadays) ideally you want to create a path for air circulation such as - cool air "in" the front from under the door crack & out the back further up the wall. ideally you'll want to create an escape route as close to the exhaust path as you can so the airflow directly expels the heat, if you can't, then abit higher up the wall (heat rises) so you at least have a pool of cooler air at the electronic's level.

rather than just a normal vent cover you could also get one that has a built-in fan (I think they are called "assisted duct covers" or "booster fans", these will help greatly pull the heat out (& don't cost very much)

[homebild]

I'd install a louvred door too.

This way you get natural convection of hot air out at the top and cooler make-up in in at the bottom.

You could even have an air conditioning duct added to this closet if your house has AC and the ducts can be easily extended.

[Laserlad]

I had same situation a number of years back with some home server. A louvred door with a fan installed at the top of the door from the inside, blowing out, worked great for me