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All your air vents need at least six inches of clearance from all furniture, drapes or other household items to ensure proper system breathing.
Can you put a couch over a cold air return?
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.
What will blocking a cold air return do?
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.
Can you put furniture in front of an intake vent?
So how much space does an air return vent need to work properly? 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.
How much clearance is needed for a floor air return vent?
Vents Need 10 Inches of Space These vents need at least 10 inches of clearance to work, but more clearance is better. Move any rugs that are covering return vents in the floor. Shorten curtains that hang down and cover your vents.
Should a cold air return have a filter?
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. A good filter will keep your air handling unit, coils, and ducts clean.
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.
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. For example, you can’t place a couch or chair or any piece of furniture that has a back into it in front of a return air vent because it will block all airflow into the return air vent.
Can I eliminate a cold air return?
Dangers of Blocked Cold Air Registers If your HVAC system is designed this way, blocking off a single return vent can wreak havoc on the system and lead to: Pressure imbalances that let allergens and pollutants get pulled into your air supply from unconditioned areas.
Where should a return air vent be located?
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.
Can you put a TV in front of a vent?
The air is going in to that vent and blowing out of the small vents you mentioned. So I would say go ahead and put the TV near the wall vent and you should have no problems with too much heat for the TV. Just don’t block off the vent, it needs to draw air in for the furnace.
Can I put a bookshelf in front of a vent?
The short answer to this question is “No.” Vents are there to provide for a necessary free flow of air. Block that flow, and your home will run sub-optimally, and you could even cause damage to your HVAC system.
How far away should a return vent be from a supply vent?
You are correct, the supply should be at one end of the room and the return at the other end.
Can you put a cabinet over a vent?
Yes, it can be done. Relocating the vent, however, is a better general solution because: The HVAC system can operate closer to its design. Reduced size registers and additional bends change the back-pressure and can readily throw the system out of balance.
What is the minimum distance between supply and return diffusers?
The valve shown as the “minimum distance from the wall” is the minimum distance from a wall the diffuser can be mounted and sustain a velocity no greater than 50 FPM in the occupied zone (the room space) below the 6 foot level, excluding the space within 6 inches of the walls and floor).
Do you put filter in air return?
If there is no air filter at your HVAC unit, then you absolutely need a return vent filter. We recommend using a MERV-5 to MERV-8 pleated air filter in your return vent. So it will serve as the only line of defense against dust and particles entering your HVAC system.
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.
Do I need both a furnace filter and a return air grill filter?
While many people refer to air conditioning and furnace filters as if they’re different, this is not the case. Your furnace and your air conditioning system use the exact same filter, so there’s no need to worry about purchasing separate filters for each piece of equipment.
Can there be 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.
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.
