In which area should the inlet to an exhaust system be located?

The correct location for the inlet to an exhaust system is indeed in the area with the heaviest concentration of contaminants. This positioning is crucial for effective air quality management. By placing the inlet in the area where contaminants are prevalent, the exhaust system can more efficiently capture and remove harmful substances from the environment, thereby improving overall air quality and ensuring proper ventilation.

In HVAC systems, the primary goal of exhaust systems is to minimize indoor air pollution and maintain a safe breathing environment. By locating the inlet where contaminants are most concentrated, the system can directly target the source of pollution, which is essential for effective air exchange and contamination control.

Other locations, such as near the appliance or at various points along the duct, do not directly address the need to capture contaminants at their source. While placing the inlet near the appliance might seem convenient, it may not effectively manage air quality in the larger environment. Similarly, positioning the inlet at the end of the duct system would likely result in a less efficient removal of contaminants, as it would be farther from the source of the pollutants. Therefore, the most effective strategy for an exhaust system is to position the inlet where the contamination is heaviest.