An HVAC return air duct should be in every room except a bathroom and kitchen. They should be on interior walls across the room from the supply ducts. I can call you on the phone to solve your return air duct problem.
Similarly, where should return ducts be located?
Place your cold air return vents on the inside walls of buildings at the lowest point. The return vent pulls cold air from the bottom of the room and returns it to the furnace to be reheated and returned as warm air. Unlike supply vents, return vents do not need to be cased in metal.
Also, how do I know if I have supply and return ducts? How to identify typical air return vents:
- Typically the larger vents in your home.
- The vents do not have louvers or slats behind the “grill”
- There is a filter connected to this vent.
- Turn the system fan on; if you hold a piece of paper up, the paper should be pulled towards the vent due to the air entering the vent.
Likewise, what should the temperature difference be between supply and return?
The temperature your AC puts out is relative to the temperature you set on your thermostat. So even though there’s no single ideal temperature, you do want a 16°–22° F difference from the supply air and return air. Professionals call this temperature difference the evaporator Delta T.
Do you need a return duct in every room?
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.
17 Related Question Answers Found
Can you have too much return air?
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.
Can you use flex duct return air?
Re: Flex Duct on Return Air Diffusers – Yes or No? Flex duct effectively creates a tight radius elbow where it turns into the top of a diffuser. The high pressure loss is further increased because the flex fabric gathers at the inside of the throat and reduces the effective diameter.
Can you put a cold air return in a closet?
Can a cold air return be in a closet? I have 2 bedrooms next to furnace room and I don’t want to place the return that close to the furnace and was hoping the closets would be ok for the returns. No, it is a code violation. No return allowed in a closet.
Should I put filters in my 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.
Should cold air return vents be up or down?
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.
How high should a cold air return be off the floor?
If you are air conditioning, in some cases, a high return on upper floors is good because it sucks out the warm air and allows the cool air to fill the room. A low return on an upper floor will suck out the cool air, leaving the warm air to statify above depending on the location of the supply.
Do you need cold air return in basement?
Hot air heating systems function best if there is at least one cold air return on each floor of the house. Essentially, that allows the warm air to circulate better. The basement is no exception to the rule. Cut into the cold air return that is on the ceiling and drop a duct down to the floor.
Should thermostat be near return air?
Mounting a thermostat near a return won’t cause any issues because the air returning to the furnace is at room temperature. The return duct should be positioned near the floor or ceiling, which will provide several feet between the thermostat and the moving air.
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.
What is the best temperature for air conditioner in summer?
The Best Temperature Settings When You’re at Home To stay comfortable and save money this summer, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat to 78F (26C) when you are home. Setting your air conditioner to this level will allow you to stay cool and avoid an unusually high electricity bill.
Which return vents should be open?
Some say that the upper returns should be closed when the heat is running (to circulate out the cold air), and the lower returns should be closed when the A/C is running (to circulate out the warm air). Others say that they should always be open (so the HVAC unit doesn’t have trouble pulling in air).
What is the difference between supply air and return air?
The biggest difference between supply and return vents is the direction in which the air flows. In a supply vent, the air flows out of the ductwork. In a return vent, the air flows into the ductwork. A second difference is the size of the vents.
How cool should my house be if it’s 100 outside?
More specifically, for our area, most systems are designed to lower your indoor temperature about 20°F from the outdoors. So, on days when it’s 100°F outside, and your system is running at its peak efficiency, your indoor temperature will likely never maintain a level lower than about 80°F.
What should supply air temp be?
The supply air temperature is typically set at 55 F (13 °C) to control humidity in the space. However, dehumidification is not necessary when the outside air is dry.
Does outside temperature affect air conditioner?
Outside Temperature. The lower the temperature of the outside air, the more cooling is done by the heat exchanger, instead of the compressor. When the outside air temperature increases, the air-conditioner works harder to cool the home because the compressor works more.
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.
What is the return duct?
Supply air ducts and return air ducts are two separate halves that make up the whole of your heating and cooling air distribution system. Return air ducts draw air out of each room through a separate air vent and convey it back to the central unit to be reheated or cooled.