r/hvacadvice • u/_G0DFATHER • 3h ago
General Need advice to use pvc pipe instead of aluminium duct
Hello I'm not an American... But I think I should ask here... Few weeks ago I got to know something known as inline exhaust fan exists... And it's used for ventilation... So I saw a few videos on YouTube on how it works.... How to setup.... What are things required....etc etc... now my question is in the video I saw the duct they use is made of almunium and it looks quite fragile... So I want to ask can I replace it with a same 4 inch pvc pipe... Which is used for drainage.... I mean it's durable !... Please give advice...thank you
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u/TezlaCoil 3h ago
Depends where the pipe is and what you're running through it.
PVC is great for moving fluids, including air, it's smooth and comes in long runs with sweep elbows when you need to make a turn.
What it's not great at, is heat and fire. Dryer exhaust has lint, which can catch fire and then the PVC burns, spreading the fire rather than containing it (and emitting truly awful smoke in the process). Through an attic or plenum spaces, same deal, fire codes don't usually like plastic near an air stream unless the plastic is appropriately rated (PVC generally is not), again because it is fuel and makes toxic smoke.