Where should my return air duct be?
They must be correctly placed and unobstructed —Return ducts are usually placed in hallways, under stairwells, or in larger open areas of your home. This placement ensures that they will be able to pull in enough air to take back to the HVAC equipment.
Does return air need to be ducted?
Ideally, every room except the kitchen and bath should have its own return air grille. At the very least, each level of the house should have one. Even so, many homes were built with just one or even no return ducts in an attempt to cut costs.
How much does it cost to add a return air duct?
Cost of Return Air Plenums
| Return Air Plenums Costs | Zip Code | |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | Best | |
| Return Air Plenums – Material Prices | $50.00 – $60.00 | $95.00 – $105.00 |
| Return Air Plenums – Installation Cost | $100.25 – $100.35 | $150.00 – $200.00 |
| Return Air Plenums – Total | $150.25 – $160.35 | $245.00 – $305.00 |
How big should my return air duct be?
Generally, if you are using a Duct Sizing Chart or calculator (such as the Trane Ductulator), size the re- turn ducts for 0.05 inches/100 ft (0.40 Pa/m) based on the expected airflow through that return air duct. The total sum of air from all the returns should be at least 250 CFM/nominal ton (33 l/s per-kW).
How far should vent be from return?
All your air vents need at least six inches of clearance from all furniture, drapes or other household items to ensure proper system breathing.
Should every room have a return vent?
While it is a myth that air return grilles are required in each and every room in the house, it is definitely necessary to have more than one of these grilles installed at strategic places in the house. Likewise, you can also install these in rooms that have a high footfall or usage in the house.
Should return vent face up or down?
There is no proper direction for the vanes to point. If they’re high sidewall, normally they would be pointed upward which makes them vision proof and just the opposite for low sidewall.
Should cold air returns face up or down?
In the winter you want the cold air to be drawn through the return registers leaving the hot air behind. By opening the lower registers and closing the top ones you keep hot air in and draw the cold air out. Since cold air is heavy it will automatically flow down to the lower register.
Can a return air duct be too big?
Can an air return be too big? No, an air return cannot be too big, except in extreme cases where a closed room is temporarily under negative air pressure. Return vents maintain air pressure, filter out debris, and are critical to the efficient operation of any HVAC system.
What size return duct do I need for a 3 ton?
Electric heat pumps shall be tested in accordance with UL 559 or UL 1995. Example: 3.5 ton heat pump. The duct for this system must be sized by using 6 square inches of clear duct area for each 1000 BTU of cooling. Each ton of cooling contains 12,000 BTU.
Should return vents be up or down?
It’s important to remember that hot air rises and cold air falls. In the winter you want the cold air to be drawn through the return registers leaving the hot air behind. By opening the lower registers and closing the top ones you keep hot air in and draw the cold air out.
Can return air vents be on floor?
Supply air from furnaces and air conditioners should be on outside walls. The return air vent openings need to be on the opposite side of the room so the conditioned air is pulled across the room. If the supply ducts are in the floor, then the return air should be located up high.
Can I use existing ductwork for my central air installation?
It is definitely possible to use your existing duct system for a central air installation. But first, they need to be inspected. Air conditioning produces a greater volume of air, so modifications to your ductwork may be required to support this.
Can I use flex duct as return?
Flex duct doesn’t come in an R12 version, so you will have to wrap it. Its fine to use for a return . Flex duct doesn’t come in an R12 version, so you will have to wrap it. Its fine to use for a return.
What is the purpose of an AC return air vent?
3 Things Your Return Air Vent Does for Your AC System Maintains Air Pressure We all hope that our homes have efficient, properly sealed heating and cooling systems. Reduces Energy Costs An efficient return air vent can reduce energy costs by recirculating air that is at or near the desired temperature back through the system. Traps Airborne Particles