RakworX VED Vertical Exhaust Duct (Chimney) Cabinets
The RakworX VED (Vertical Exhaust Duct) system is a chimney that mounts to the top rear of an enclosure and ducts hot exhaust air up and out, typically into a ceiling return plenum, instead of letting it recirculate to equipment intakes. It is a low-cost, passive way to improve cooling efficiency, with an extendable adjustable chimney and brush-strip cable pass-throughs. It mounts on RakworX cabinets or adapts to other brands, and Comp-Utility supplies and installs it across Central Texas.
What We Provide
Our Capabilities
Capture Hot Exhaust at the Rack
We fit the VED chimney to the top rear of the cabinet so hot air is ducted out at the source, preventing it from mixing with cold supply air.
Learn moreDesign the Cooling Strategy
We pair the VED with the right containment and precision cooling so the room's airflow path is engineered end to end.
Learn moreInstallation and Integration
We install the duct, adjust the chimney to your ceiling height, and integrate the cable pass-throughs without disrupting the live load.
Learn moreStop Recirculation
Duct Hot Air Out Instead of Cooling It Twice
The VED system captures the hot exhaust leaving your equipment and directs it up and out of the cabinet, which prevents hot air from recirculating back into the IT intakes. Eliminating that recirculation lets the cooling system work against a cleaner temperature difference, which supports better performance, reliability, and equipment life.
Because it is a passive ducting approach, the VED improves cooling efficiency without the cost of additional cooling infrastructure, and it can lower overall energy consumption by reducing the load on the cooling plant.
Adaptable
Adjustable Chimney with Brush-Strip Cable Pass-Through
The chimney is extendable and adjustable, so it can be set to your ceiling height and expanded as needs change. It mounts to the top rear of RakworX enclosures and can be customized to fit other brand cabinets, which makes it a flexible retrofit for an existing room.
Brush-strip openings let cables pass through cleanly while limiting air spill, keeping the duct sealed enough to be effective and tidy enough to maintain.
Key Specifications
| Attribute | RakworX VED System |
|---|---|
| Type | Vertical exhaust duct (chimney) for IT enclosures |
| Function | Captures and ducts hot exhaust air out of the rack |
| Mounting | Top rear of RakworX enclosures, adaptable to other brands |
| Chimney | Extendable and adjustable to ceiling height |
| Cable management | Brush-strip pass-throughs to limit air spill |
| Cooling benefit | Reduces hot-air recirculation, improves cooling efficiency |
| Deployment | Retrofit to existing cabinets or specified with new RakworX cabinets |
| Typical applications | Data centers and server rooms using ceiling return / hot-air containment |
Specifications reflect the RakworX VED product line; exact dimensions and fit vary by cabinet and ceiling height. Contact us to confirm the right configuration for your room.
The Comp-Utility Difference
Why Comp-Utility?
Engineer-Owned and Operated
Comp-Utility is owned and operated by engineers, with licensed Texas Professional Engineers (P.E.) on staff. That rigor anchors every design, specification, and installation.
Turnkey, Single-Contract Partner
We sell, design, install, and maintain complete infrastructure end to end. One accountable team and one contract for power, cooling, distribution, and cabling.
Trusted Since 1992
We have designed, installed, and maintained mission-critical power and cooling infrastructure across Central Texas since 1992, through every generation of the technology.
24/7 Emergency Response and Preventative Maintenance
Our technicians provide preventative maintenance programs and 24/7 emergency response, with rapid on-site dispatch across Central Texas when facilities need us most.
Licensed, Certified & Recognized
We hold ourselves to the standards of the institutions we serve, from professional licensure and jobsite safety to the industry organizations that set the bar for mission-critical work.
Licensed Professional Engineers
State of Texas (TBPE)
OSHA 30 Certified
Field Technicians
AFCOM Member
Data center industry association
7x24 Exchange Member
Mission-critical infrastructure
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a vertical exhaust duct (chimney) cabinet?
A vertical exhaust duct, or chimney, is a sealed duct that mounts to the top rear of a server cabinet and channels hot exhaust air upward, usually into a dropped-ceiling return plenum. By ducting hot air directly out of the rack, it stops that air from recirculating to the equipment intakes. The RakworX VED is this type of passive hot-air containment that works on RakworX or other-brand enclosures.
How does the VED system improve cooling efficiency?
The VED captures hot exhaust at the rack and directs it out before it can mix with cold supply air. Removing that recirculation gives the cooling system a cleaner, larger temperature difference to work with, so it cools more effectively for the same effort. That can improve equipment reliability and longevity and reduce the energy the cooling plant has to spend, without adding active cooling hardware.
Does the VED work with cabinets from other manufacturers?
Yes. The VED is designed to mount on RakworX enclosures and can be customized to fit other brand cabinets, which makes it a practical retrofit for an existing mixed-vendor room. Comp-Utility evaluates your cabinets and ceiling configuration and specifies the right VED fit, then handles the installation so the duct seals and performs as intended.
Can the chimney be adjusted to my ceiling height?
Yes. The VED chimney is extendable and adjustable, so it can be set to reach your ceiling return and expanded if the layout changes later. This adaptability is one of the reasons it works well as a retrofit. Comp-Utility measures your room, sets the chimney height during installation, and confirms it ties cleanly into the ceiling plenum or return path.
How are cables routed through the duct?
The VED uses brush-strip pass-throughs, which are flexible bristle openings that let cables enter and exit while limiting how much air leaks through. This keeps the duct sealed enough to contain hot air effectively while still allowing clean, accessible cable routing. It keeps the installation tidy and easy to maintain over time.
Is the VED a good fit for a retrofit?
Yes. Because it is passive, mounts to the top rear of existing cabinets, adapts to other brands, and uses an adjustable chimney, the VED is well suited to retrofitting an existing room that has hot-air recirculation problems. It improves containment without a major cooling overhaul. Comp-Utility assesses the room and installs the VED with minimal disruption to the live load.
Does the VED reduce energy costs?
By containing hot exhaust and reducing recirculation, the VED lets the cooling system operate more efficiently, which can lower overall energy consumption. The exact savings depend on your current airflow, density, and cooling design. Comp-Utility looks at the whole airflow path, cabinets, containment, and cooling together, so the VED delivers a measurable improvement rather than just a point fix.
Who supplies and installs the RakworX VED system in Central Texas?
Comp-Utility supplies and installs the RakworX VED vertical exhaust duct system across Central Texas, as part of a complete cabinet, containment, and cooling design. Engineer-owned since 1992, with licensed Texas Professional Engineers on staff. Call (512) 346-0999 or email sales@comp-utility.com to request a quote.