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.
Likewise, people ask, what is a return vent in a house?
The supply vents in your home blow conditioned air out into your rooms. This air travels from your heating and cooling system, through your ductwork and out of the supply vents. The return vents in your home suck the air from your rooms into your return ducts and back to your heating and cooling system.
Secondly, should every room have a return vent? 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.
Similarly one may ask, is it OK to cover a return air vent?
Avoid covering your cold air return vents with curtains, drapes or rugs. Always check your air filters and replace them when needed. Clogged air filters can also cause cold air return blockages.
Where do return air vents go?
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. This pulls the air across your body.
17 Related Question Answers Found
Should you put filters in your return vents?
Do not put filters in your supply vents. Your AC system should have a proper fitting filter on the return side. By placing a good fitting, high quality filter on the return vent, you will remove particles from the air before they can enter the AC system.
What is the purpose of a return air vent?
Maintaining Air Pressure As conditioned air is pushed in, the air already in the home needs a place to escape. Return air vents serve this purpose by helping to pull in the air and putting it back into the system. This is what maintains proper air pressure in a home.
How big should a return air vent be?
Calculate the square root of the total. (Example: 4 (ton unit) x 144 square inches = 576 squared. The square root of 576 is 24. Therefore, your return air duct and grill size will be 24 by 24 inches.)
What happens if you block a return air vent?
Blocking air return vents causes your system to work harder, as there is less air flow to move the air back to the furnace. This continued strain on the HVAC system can lead to a decrease in performance and more HVAC repairs down the road.
What is the difference between a register and a vent?
Heat registers are vent covers that cover the hole in the wall or floor where the duct enters the room. Louvres, or dampers, are often attached to the back of a heat register. A grille has no damper to control air flow, so air is left to flow freely. Grilles do not have the damper normally found on registers.
How do you open an air conditioner vent?
How to Run the Air Conditioner With the Vent Open Turn on the air conditioner. Locate the “Open/Close Vent” control. Press the control button, slide the lever, or pull the lever to open the vent. Locate the various cool air vents throughout the building. Locate the intake recirculation vents throughout the building.
How do you install a return air vent?
How to Install a Return Air Duct Locate where you want your return air ducts. Go into the basement and locate the holes. Install the square return air duct perpendicular to the joists. Cut a hole in the bottom of the return duct next to where the furnace is. Install your HVAC filter into your filter rack.
How many vents should a house have?
Most codes use the 1/300 rule for minimum residential attic ventilation recommendations. This means that for every 300 square feet of enclosed attic space, 1 square foot of ventilation is required – with half at the upper portion (exhaust vents) and half in the lower portion (intake vents).
How do I know if my return vent is working?
You can identify return vents by turning on the system fan and holding your hand or a piece of paper up. If the paper is pulled toward the vent or you feel a suction effect, it’s a return vent.
Do you need a filter in a return vent?
The Case for a Return Duct Filter Regular maintenance is certainly recommended, but adding a return air filter can help to block some of this incoming debris and ensure that the air coming in is clean. Clean air means a clean system.
Why is my upstairs so hot in the summer?
Another reason why your second floor is too hot in the summer could be because of your roof. This heat travels through the attic and into the second floor making it harder for the system to cool. Ductwork, Insulation and Seals. Ducts are responsible for taking cool air from your system throughout the home.
Can covering a vent cause a fire?
Fire, Freeze and Financial Hazard When a vent is blocked, less cool air flows across the heat exchanger, which then overheats, and expands, and cracks. It’s unlikely but not impossible that blocking a heating vent and causing the furnace apparatus to overheat could cause a fire.
Can you put furniture in front of a return air vent?
Many homes are improperly fitted with return air ducts or simply don’t have enough of them, making it essential that each existing air return works to its full potential. Place large pieces of furniture such as couches, chairs and love seats at least 10 inches from air ducts.
How do you increase return air flow?
3 Simple Ways to Improve Your Furnace’s Airflow for More Comfort Unblock and clean your vents. Here’s a super easy way to increase air flow. Change your filters and clean your return grill. A dirty air filter impedes air movement and makes it hard for your furnace to work efficiently. Seal leaky ductwork. Snap on some goggles and a dust mask, it’s time to check out your air ducts.
Can you have too much cold air return?
While there is no such thing as too much return air for the equipment (actually, there is, and it causes fan cavitation, but very rare), this CAN be an issue for the house. It has the potential to throw off pressures in different areas of the house.
Is blocking air vents bad?
Sure, you know you shouldn’t block the supply vents — the ones you feel the cold (or warm air) blowing out of — or you’ll diminish the supply of cool or warm air in the home. You may also know that closing a supply vent can create negative pressure and make the system run inefficiently.
How do I know if my air ducts need to be cleaned?
5 Signs You Should Have Your Ducts Cleaned You Haven’t Changed the Air Filter in Months. The Registers and Vent Covers Have Visible Dust. You Detect Mold in or Around Your HVAC System. Airflow Isn’t Consistent From Room to Room. You Can Hear Noises in the Ductwork.