How high should a return vent be off the floor? If the supply ducts are in the floor, then the return air should be located up high. This pulls the air across your body. If the supply ducts are high or in the ceiling, then the return-air ducts or grills should be low on a wall.
Do return air vents need to be at the floor?
He installed the return air vents in the wall cavity ,but they are only 1 inch above the floor. I feel he put in the minimum return air vents. And at the floor? He claims that this method pulls the heat down from the ceiling and warms the room. However in one location there is a heat duct within 5 feet of the return air vent both at the floor.
Where is the proper HVAC return vent location?
In Minneapolis Zone 6 my general contractor and his HVAC sub insist that the proper return vent location is high on the wall near the ceiling. This seems counterintuitive as heat rises wouldn’t I want the returns low to circulate. As the supply heat enter to room and rises the return vent would draw that warm air back down.
What happens if the Return Vent is too close to door?
If the return vent is too close or if the supply register is right next to the door, the air may slip away without actually heating the room. Keep the two separate. Tyler Lacoma has worked as a writer and editor for several years after graduating from George Fox University with a degree in business management and writing/literature.
Which way should ceiling return air vents face?
This pulls the air across your body. Click to see full answer. Simply so, which direction should ceiling return air vents face? If you have an Air Return is on the upper wall I like to slant the louvers upwards so that floor traffic does not view into the duct opening.
Should return air ducts be high or low?
For optimal efficiency, it's ideal to have return registers installed. To ensure efficiency during the cooling season, your home should have high registers. High return registers draw hot air that rises to the ceiling back into the system to repeat the cooling cycle.
Should cold air return be at the floor?
Where are cold air returns located? Cold air returns are located on interior walls in a home, typically close to the floor or low on the wall. You want to make sure that cold air return vents are not blocked or covered by furniture so that your home can get proper air circulation.
Where should a return vent be located?
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.
Can a return vent be on the floor?
Return vents are usually larger than heat registers and can generally be found close to the ground or in the floor in older homes or on a wall close to a ceiling in newer homes.
Should cold air returns be floor or ceiling?
If you are in the far north, or in the Southern US, the answer is simple. In an air conditioning climate the return duct goes near the ceiling to draw off the hot air and cool it down. In a heating climate, the return duct goes near the floor to draw off the cold air and heat it up.
Why are cold air returns on the floor?
Air return vents are necessary for the 'inhale' process. They are located on the walls or floors; they are installed low on the wall because cold air has a higher density and it accumulates near the floor.
Can you have too many return air vents?
Having several return vents (ideally one in every room, but even two or three is better than just one) creates consistent air pressure. If you have one return vent, your home is fine. Keep the doors to each room open so air can properly circulate.
Can flexible duct be used for return air?
Yes, you can use flex ducts for your return air. However, to maximize its usefulness, it needs to conform to technical specifications such as its insulation rating, pressure checks, dust filters, duct sizing and placement, and lastly, the installation requirements.
Do you need a return vent in every room?
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. The most important place to have these would be the bedroom.
Can you put a couch in front of a return vent?
Home Inspection Insider explains that an air return vent needs 6-12 inches of space in front of it, and recommends that you do not put large, bulky furniture like couches and bookshelves in front of an air return vent.
Can cold air returns be in the ceiling?
Most homes across the U.S. have forced air systems and in newer homes there will be cold air return vents placed at both the ceiling and the floor of many rooms. Having two air return vents allows you to seasonally control which air is returning to the HVAC system. In older homes, this may not be an option.
How long can a return air duct be?
Duct Size - Single Return For most systems, the minimum duct size (see Table 1) is sufficient for up to 25 feet (8 m) with no more than three 90° bends.
Adding a return air duct - should I go high or low?
I am adding a return air duct. The existing duct is high on the wall, as are all the supply ducts. I have identified two locations where I could add a return air duct, one is high and one is low. Should I go high or low, and why? The contractors say it's up to me where they will put it.
returns
I am adding a return air duct. The existing duct is high on the wall, as are all the supply ducts. I have identified two locations where I could add a return air duct, one is high and one is low. Should I go high or low, and why? The contractors say it's up to me where they will put it.
temperature rise
OK, so it's going in low. Now here's the next question. I'm putting in 3-ton AC for my 1800 sq ft house. The current R/A duct is 20x10, which most would agree at 200 square inches is too small. The location I have selected to add the second R/A will easily take a 20x10. Anything bigger than that would involve considerably more cost.
Why is it better to have a return vent?
For a few different reasons, it’s better to have a return air vent in every room than it is to have a centrally located return vent system. For one, more air vents make it easier to achieve neutral pressure in your home. You want the air output of your HVAC system (measured in cubic feet per minute) to be equal to the amount ...
Why is it important to have return air vents in every room?
Cooling your home is also more efficient and effective with air return vents in every room because it allows for easy airflow to and from your cooling system.
What is return air vent?
A return air vent is the part of your HVAC system that allows that warm air to flow back to your air conditioner. Not only will that air be cooled again, but it will also be cleaned by your air filter or air cleaner.
Can dirt build up on air filter?
That dirt will build up on your air filter , which will restrict your unit’s air flow. It’s also important to make sure air can flow freely through your return air vents. Make sure that your return grilles are away from any large furniture or other obstructions that could block air flow. If you have any questions about a return air grille, ...
Why is it important to have a supply register in a large room?
The goal of good register placement is to keep the house as evenly heated or cooled as possible . To this end, every large room should have a supply register in it. Some supply registers may be connected and looped together in a web-like pattern while others terminate at several key end points.
What is a register in HVAC?
Registers are the vent openings that your HVAC system uses. Their placement is decided when your home is first built or when the duct work is being remodeled. If you have a chance to install new registers in a remodeling project, keep in mind that they are designed to supply air to your home after it has gone through the system ...