--- title: What Is a Drop Box? description: A drop box is a plenum with multiple air outlets that is connected directly to an air handling unit by a short run of ductwork. image: https://blog.priceindustries.com/hubfs/DBH4way_v002retouch_fi.png --- ![PriceTraining_Logo_RGB-1](https://blog.priceindustries.com/hs-fs/hubfs/PriceTraining_Logo_RGB-1.png?width=303&height=58&name=PriceTraining_Logo_RGB-1.png)   [![Price Industries](https://blog.priceindustries.com/hubfs/Priceindustries-March-2018/Images/Price_Logo_Blue.svg)](https://www.priceindustries.com/) The Science of ComfortTM ## The Science of Comfort Your Premier Source for All Things HVAC # What Is a Drop Box? Posted by [Ryan Compton](https://blog.priceindustries.com/author/ryan-compton) on March 18, 2025 at 9:00 AM ![Ryan Compton](https://blog.priceindustries.com/hubfs/Ryan%20Compton.jpg) Find me on: [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-compton-237b459b/?originalSubdomain=ca) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ## A Simple Approach to Air Distribution for Large Spaces In the world of air distribution, a drop box is a plenum with multiple air outlets that is connected directly to an air handling unit (AHU) by a short run of ductwork. A drop box can be an effective way to deliver a substantial volume of conditioned air to large, enclosed spaces. | ![Price’s Drop Box with High-Capacity Drum Louvers with four-way airflow pattern](https://blog.priceindustries.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DBH4way_v002retouch_crop.png?width=2012&height=1508&name=DBH4way_v002retouch_crop.png) | ![Price’s Drop Box with High-Capacity Drum Louvers with six-way airflow pattern](https://blog.priceindustries.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DBH6way_v001retouch_crop.png?width=2058&height=1544&name=DBH6way_v001retouch_crop.png) | | --- | --- | | Price’s [Drop Box with High-Capacity Drum Louvers](https://bit.ly/3Fz66oC) with adjustable four-way (left) and six-way (right) airflow patterns | | Typically located directly below an AHU, the drop box is usually equipped with four to six air outlets that distribute air equally in all directions. Since the duct run between the AHU and drop box is short and the air volumes are large, turbulence and air velocities can be high. A well-designed drop box will have sturdy construction to handle these conditions and optimized internal geometries to minimize any turbulence. This ensures that airflow can be effectively distributed while keeping pressure drop and [self-generated noise](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdpMV1EfLzk) to a minimum. It is common for drop boxes to use high-capacity drum louvers as their air outlets. These robust devices are already designed for large air volumes and have adjustable blades to control airflow patterns horizontally and a rotatable drum to adjust airflow patterns vertically. This provides flexibility to fine-tune airflow patterns to achieve excellent air distribution for different spaces and operating conditions. | ![Large factory with drop boxes installed in ceiling](https://blog.priceindustries.com/hs-fs/hubfs/0U9A6636_retouch7_crop.jpg?width=2565&height=1711&name=0U9A6636_retouch7_crop.jpg) | | --- | | Drop boxes are ideal for large, enclosed spaces such as manufacturing plants | With long throws and minimal ductwork, drop boxes are a simple and cost-effective solution for a variety of applications, including warehouses, large retail stores and manufacturing facilities For more information about how you can use drop boxes in your next project, check out our [brochure](https://bit.ly/4hjCPvl) or contact our team at [GRD@priceindustries.com](mailto:GRD@priceindustries.com).   | ![Ryan Compton](https://blog.priceindustries.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ryan%20Compton.jpg?width=135&height=134&name=Ryan%20Compton.jpg) | **Ryan Compton** is Application Engineering Manager for Price's GRD team. He is based out of Price's headquarters in Winnipeg, MB. Click [here](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-compton-237b459b/?originalSubdomain=ca) to connect with him on LinkedIn. | | --- | --- | [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4024064/9d069817-c006-4c10-a8b1-247e8c41a665.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4024064/9d069817-c006-4c10-a8b1-247e8c41a665) Topics: [GRD](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/grd), [HVAC Fundamentals](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/hvac-fundamentals), [HVAC](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/hvac), [Engineering](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/engineering), [Design Engineering](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/design-engineering) ## At Price, when we say “the sky is the limit,” we actually mean it. Our customers have come to count on a consistent and ever-increasing stream of new products and enhancements.  Price has a large team of experienced and talented engineers who are consistently working on breakthrough ideas.  We are not afraid to move into whole new product categories if we believe we have a contribution to make. - Research & Innovation - Technical Tours - Training Classes - Targeted Discussions - Mock-up Testing - Custom Solutions & Specials - Custom Finishes - Computational Fluid Dynamics - Virtual Reality ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [HVAC (142)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/hvac) - [Engineering (118)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/engineering) - [Design Engineering (103)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/design-engineering) - [HVAC Fundamentals (82)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/hvac-fundamentals) - [Employees (38)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/employees) - [Diffusers (32)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/diffusers) - [Thermal Comfort (31)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/thermal-comfort) - [GRD (27)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/grd) - [Terminals (26)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/terminals) - [Tech Tip (25)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/tech-tip) - [Critical Environments (21)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/critical-environments) - [People of Price (19)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/people-of-price) - [Beams (17)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/beams) - [Fan Coils (17)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/fan-coils) - [Customer Service (16)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/customer-service) - [Displacement (15)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/displacement) - [Architecture (14)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/architecture) - [Noise Control (14)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/noise-control) - [13 Tenets (13)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/13-tenets) - [CFD (13)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/cfd) - [Filtration (13)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/filtration) - [Pressure Drop (13)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/pressure-drop) - [System Efficiency (13)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/system-efficiency) - [Training (12)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/training) - [Controls (11)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/controls) - [Grilles (11)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/grilles) - [Contractors (9)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/contractors) - [Engineering Update (9)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/engineering-update) - [Static Pressure (9)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/static-pressure) - [Underfloor (9)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/underfloor) - [ASHRAE 62 (7)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/ashrae-62) - [Acoustics (7)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/acoustics) - [Mock-Up (7)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/mock-up) - [ASHRAE 170 (6)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/ashrae-170) - [Heat Transfer (6)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/heat-transfer) - [Psychrometrics (6)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/psychrometrics) - [Tours (6)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/tours) - [Acoustic Panels (5)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/acoustic-panels) - [Giving (5)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/giving) - [HVAC Silencers (5)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/hvac-silencers) - [Philanthropy (5)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/philanthropy) - [ASHRAE (4)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/ashrae) - [Condensate (4)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/condensate) - [Handbook (4)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/handbook) - [Lighting (4)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/lighting) - [Noise Solution (4)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/noise-solution) - [Price Technical Center (4)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/price-technical-center) - [Cooling Coil (3)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/cooling-coil) - [Duct Noise Reduction (3)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/duct-noise-reduction) - [Events (3)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/events) - [Induction (3)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/induction) - [LEED for Schools (3)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/leed-for-schools) - [ASHRAE 70 (2)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/ashrae-70) - [Acoustic Louvers (2)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/acoustic-louvers) - [Background Noise (2)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/background-noise) - [Catalog (2)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/catalog) - [Inlet Conditions (2)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/inlet-conditions) - [Inlet Effect (2)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/inlet-effect) - [Low Temperature (2)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/low-temperature) - [Noise Criteria (2)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/noise-criteria) - [Outlet Conditions (2)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/outlet-conditions) - [Price International (2)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/price-international) - [Reverberation Time (2)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/reverberation-time) - [Software (2)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/software) - [Sound Absorption (2)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/sound-absorption) - [Sound Masking (2)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/sound-masking) - [Speech Privacy (2)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/speech-privacy) - [Velocity Profile (2)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/velocity-profile) - [AROW (1)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/arow) - [Air Transfer Silencers (1)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/air-transfer-silencers) - [Ceiling Attenuation Class (1)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/ceiling-attenuation-class) - [LEED credits (1)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/leed-credits) - [LEED for Healthcare (1)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/leed-for-healthcare) - [Public Transit (1)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/public-transit) - [Sound Transmission Class (1)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/sound-transmission-class) - [Supply Chain (1)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/supply-chain) - [System Effect (1)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/system-effect) - [Transportation (1)](https://blog.priceindustries.com/tag/transportation) see all Follow us: - [![Follow us on Twitter](https://blog.priceindustries.com/hubfs/Priceindustries-March-2018/Images/Twitter-icon.svg)](https://twitter.com/PriceHVAC) - [![Subscribe to us on YouTube](https://blog.priceindustries.com/hubfs/Priceindustries-March-2018/Images/YouTube-icon.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/user/PriceHVAC) - [![Follow us on LinkedIn](https://blog.priceindustries.com/hubfs/Priceindustries-March-2018/Images/LinkedIn-icon.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/price-industries) Have a question? [Contact Product Support](https://www.priceindustries.com/contact/product-support) ### Price Industries - Who We Are The founding principles of Price have never changed – business integrity, first-class service, innovation and a commitment to people. Our dependable quality, reliable delivery, and knowledgeable follow-up service have made Price a market leader in supplying air distribution, critical controls, and noise control products. After more than 60 years, Price remains a privately held family company with a deep heritage and commitment to innovation and service. Our long-standing vision, traditional values, and the Price way of doing business are the cornerstones of our leadership position in the non-residential air distribution industry. - - [Privacy Policy](https://www.priceindustries.com/legal/privacypolicy) - [Engineering E-Update](https://www.priceindustries.com/signup/newsletter) - - [Contact Information](https://www.priceindustries.com/contact/reps-dealers?territory=International) - [Career Opportunities](https://www.priceindustries.com/corporate/careers) - [Our Services](https://www.priceindustries.com/services) ![Price Industries](https://blog.priceindustries.com/hubfs/Priceindustries-March-2018/Images/PriceLogo-footer.png) © 2018 Price Industries. All Rights Reserved. 2975 Shawnee Ridge Court - Suwanee, Georgia 30024 - (770) 623-8050. - **Current Market:** - [Canada](https://www.priceindustries.com/?SwitchMarket=Canada) - [United States](https://www.priceindustries.com/?SwitchMarket=United%20States) - [International](https://www.priceindustries.com/?SwitchMarket=International)