Exhaust fan to replace return?

When we remodeled a fixer-upper a few years ago, we didn't realize that the contractor had to remove a return from the upstairs when they moved a wall on the first floor. So now the master bedroom is very hot in the summer. I put an inline fan with a temperature switch to push some extra cold air up. It helps, but it's still not enough.

Would putting a bathroom exhaust fan in the ceiling of the room help? I have easy access to the attic right above. I could very easily install an inline fan that kicks on intermittently on a timer and blows the air out of the side wall of the attic.

 

does the return that was removed service the entire upstairs or just one room?, is the master upstairs?

 

It's just the master bedroom. The master bedroom is significantly hotter than the other rooms.

 

Installing a fan discharging into the attic may reduce some heat in the room but it requires discharging cool air drawn from somewhere into the attic.

Extra attic insulation is the best way to help your problem and make sure there is airflow thru your attic to keep it cooler.

 

tollhouse, is the master upstairs? sounds like the system is not balanced after the return was removed does each room have a return? if is is a balance issue, then you are fighting an uphill battle to create circulation. I have a room with the same problem. Which will be properly solved by getting a return back into the room. Otherwise you are trying to push air where it does not want to go.

 

I would explore putting a return back in the master. With that return removed, your HVAC system is not getting back the same amount of air it is pumping out. This puts stress on your blower as it tries to draw air back through holes and cracks. Installing an exhaust fan will aggravate that problem and could create excessive negative pressure in the master, especially when the door is closed.