Table of Contents
Does a return vent blow air?
The return vents in your home suck the air from your rooms into your return ducts and back to your heating and cooling system. Your return vents are typically larger than supply vents, and you will not feel air being blown out of them.
Where does a return air vent go?
The best location of the return vents depends on whether the system is heating or cooling the air. If it’s cooling, the return vents should be near the ceiling, where the warm air collects, but if it’s heating, the return vents should draw cool air from the floors.
How does a return air vent work?
It operates by heating or cooling the air and then pumping them into a house. When the cooled air is pushed in, the air that is inside your house needs a place where they can escape. Return air vents will serve this purpose by providing assistance in pulling in the air and then putting it back into the unit.
Is it OK to cover a return air vent?
Keep couches, chairs and other large pieces of furniture at least 10 inches away from your cold air return vents. Avoid covering your cold air return vents with curtains, drapes or rugs. Clogged air filters can also cause cold air return blockages.
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.
Does every room need 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.
How do I know if my return air is working?
Try this simple test when your HVAC system is running: get a piece of tissue paper and dangle it about six inches from one of the return vents. You should be able to see it being gently pulled towards the vent. Next, place it up against return vent and see if the air suction holds it in place.
What is the purpose of cold air return vents?
The return registers draw stale air into the ductwork, where it’s pulled through the filter to capture dust and debris and then delivered back to the HVAC equipment for reconditioning. However, the most important function of the cold air return registers is ensuring ample airflow through the HVAC system.
Should return air vents 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.
Can you put a couch in front of a return vent?
Most people would tell you, no, you cannot put furniture in front of an air return vent. The bottom line is as long as the furniture piece is open on all sides and the bottom allowing the return air vent to draw in air to the heating and cooling system unobstructed, it should be fine.
What happens if there is not enough return air?
If there is not enough return air available, your HVAC system will not heat or cool properly. If not enough air is brought back, your HVAC system will not be able to keep up with temperature demands. In some cases, two returns may be necessary to provide enough return air.
What happens if you block a cold air return?
Consequences. Restricting the airflow in the air handler or blower contributes to premature system problems, which can be serious. In the heating cycle, blocked cold air returns can cause the heat exchanger inside the blower compartment to store too much heat and eventually crack.
Can return vents 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.
Where should vents be placed in a room?
Registers should be placed in the middle of the external wall (in the floor or low on the wall); if there are two external walls, both need registers in the middle. (If the room is tiny, one duct may work, even if there are two external walls.)Jul 4, 1992.
What is the minimum distance between a furnace air handler and a return air vent?
Return air openings should be located at least 10 feet in any direction from a combustion chamber or draft hood on an fuel-burning appliance in the same room. The return air must not be taken from a kitchen, bathroom, closet, garage, mechanical room, boiler room, furnace room, or unconditioned attic space.
Do bedrooms need return air?
Each bedroom needs either: A return air grille ducted back to the furnace; A through-the-wall transfer grille connecting the bedroom and the adjacent hallway; or. A crossover duct (a jumper duct) connecting a ceiling grille in the bedroom with a ceiling grille in the hallway.
Can you have too much return air?
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.
