🌬️ Elevate Your Air Game!
The Tamarack Technologies Perfect Balance In-Door Return Air Pathway is a high-efficiency vent designed to enhance airflow, balance air pressure, and improve indoor air quality. Made from durable ABS plastic, it features easy installation and a lifetime warranty, making it a cost-effective solution for any home or building.
Manufacturer | Tamarack |
Part Number | 4415799 |
Item Weight | 1.45 pounds |
Item model number | TTi-RAP-Di |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Size | 1 Count (Pack of 1) |
Style | 1 Pack |
Material | ABS Plastic |
Power Source | Corded Electric |
Installation Method | Split System |
Item Package Quantity | 1 |
Batteries Included? | No |
Batteries Required? | No |
Cable Length | 25 Inches |
G**H
Straightforward Installation & Effective; Short of Kicking, Should be Durable
I installed these vents on the doors of two bedrooms; my goal was faster pressure equalization and more even temperatures in these rooms. HVAC activation tended to pull these doors closed and the jamb of one door was coated with fine dust similar to that around my AC filters. Overall I'm pleased: they seem sturdy enough, there's little noticeable increase in sound or light transmission. Most importantly, the rooms now feel as warm as the rest of the house, even with doors closed. One great indicator during a recent teens/20s cold snap: my roommate stopped turning up the thermostat because his room felt cold, which in turn made the rest of the house too warm.ABS plastic is approx. 1/8" thick, which is reasonably thick for the intended purpose. Installed - with the cardboard insert in place - I found the vents to be sufficiently strong. You might have issues if household members push (kick?) open doors with their feet or there are furniture-chewing pets. Cardboard inserts have a grid of 1/2" equilateral triangles. I wasn't sure if they were factory treated for moisture, so I removed the inserts and sprayed several coats of satin spar urethane. (Inserts will be stiffer when dry, so scrunch them down a few times - they're springy - so they'll fit back in the vents.) The inserts are completely see-through when held up to light, but because they're installed at floor level, the noticeable light at eye-level is minimal.Rather than use the cutout pattern from the box, I used a Speed Square and straight edge to mark out a 4-1/8"H x 24-3/8" W rectangle, centered on the bottom edge of the door. Before cutting with a jigsaw, I drilled a double-set of 3/32" holes in one corner so I could insert the jigsaw blade for the long cut. Cuts were made ON the line.Installation Tips:Make sure your door is 1-3/8" thick AND wide enough to accommodate a 24.5" vent cutout! Ensure that your jigsaw blade will cut at least 1-3/8" deep; higher teeth counts = cleaner cuts. Be careful when cutting a hollow core door: the framing and veneer portions require more pressure than the veneer-only parts. Once you cut through framing and into veneer-only, the sudden drop in resistance could send the saw blade in an undesired direction if you're not careful.Reinforcement: you may or may not have to do this depending on how your door's internal construction. If, after cutting the vent section from a hollow core door, the long exposed edges are flimsy and unsupported, take the section you cut out, remove the veneer on either side, and install inside the door with contact cement, construction adhesive, etc. You may need to clamp & let bond before continuing. Inset enough so it doesn't protrude beyond the cut and interfere with vent installation. (I saw this tip in the 'Fine Homebuilding' website.)Painting: Some reviewers complain about paint not sticking. These vents are shiny ABS plastic, so if you decide to paint I highly recommend web research on something like "painting smooth ABS plastic" for preparation tips. Requirements usually include rinsing with dish detergent, surface roughening with fine-grit sandpaper, wiping down with wax/grease remover and top-coating with plastic-friendly paint.
S**M
Better be a handyman
Template shows 4 1/4" x 24 1/2". I would make your cuts at 24 3/8" x 4 1/8". Have paintable door and window caulk on hand and some white #6 button head screws as the grill doesnt sit flush along the face of the door. Also make sure your door bottom is parallel to the top of the door.Used a jigsaw, drill, square a8nd screwdriver for this job. I dont know why they want a radius at the top unless it is to prevent cracks in the future
J**2
Works well to ventilate a room. Not heavy duty but it was easy to install and does its job
I like this product a lot. I have installed several return air pathways that go through walls, which help a lot in allowing the air conditioning to continue to work in rooms that have their doors closed.I bought this for a room where the studs are too close together and I have electrical and pluming issues where I would like to put a normal return air pathway. This door version is actually cheaper and probably easier to install.For this to be an easy project, you should have a jigsaw, but you could probably make it work with other tools if you were dedicated. If you are like my your doors are basically hollow with only thin walls. That makes them easy to cut and this fits right over the hole. Very little light and noise gets through and it looks pretty good installed. It makes a big difference in the air flow.This extends your door downward a quarter of an inch or so unless you chisel away some of the wood at the edges so it fits all the way in. That's what I did and it's a pain because my doors are made of very flimsy material. I ended up putting some caulk around it as well to act as a makeshift glue of sorts. In other words, because this attaches by only two screws at the bottom and because doors are made of really weak stuff, this isn't very securely attached if you don't also use some kind of glue.This is also made of plastic and cardboard. It wouldn't stand up well to being kicked or something. Just be aware of that when you are deciding which doors this is appropriate on.Having done both, I'd say cutting the door and using this is easier than cutting the drywall and making a hole in the wall for the other type of return air pathway. I recommend them both, but this is the easier and slightly cheaper option.
L**N
It's Really That Easy
I am very happy with this product. To me, the product looks nice and my wife, who is very picky and finally let me do this after 26 years, agrees! I installed 3 in less than 45 minutes. You can really feel the air moving through the vent once you close the door. I have one room where I would consider the air flow to have been nil. I put a thermometer in the room after install, and then I checked 15 minutes later. The temp was the same as the thermostat. NOTE: You WILL need to buy a cheap jigsaw with a fine blade if you don't have one. I had thought to myself after seeing the instructions that this is too easy to be true. Nope. It was just that easy! Template, cut, two screws.
T**T
Works but pricey
It helped to solved the hum noise from our main bedroom vent with the door closed. Easy install, will agree with others I think the price point is high for what it is.
B**S
Way overpriced but it does work
Cheaply made product - plastic construction with cardboard inside to reduce sound transmission. I had to fish out stray pieces of cardboard that were blocking the airflow, obviously no quality control. The product does work as advertised and is not too difficult to install. You will need a good pair of scissors or a box cutter to cut out the template. It is not a separate item, it is just printed on the shipping box. To cut the door I used a jig saw with a fine tooth metal blade to avoid possible splintering. Also used a drill for pilot holes for the 2 included screws. I am not sorry I bought it, just annoyed at the high price for plastic and cardboard. It did improve the airflow from the bedroom.
Trustpilot
1 month ago
3 weeks ago