Table of Contents
How much does it cost to move an air return vent?
Move an Exhaust Vent: national average cost cost to move an exhaust vent National Avg. Materials Cost per vent $79.69 National Avg. Cost (labor and materials) for 1 vent $493.59 National Cost Range (labor and materials) for 1 vent $448.77 – $538.41.
Where should the return 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 Return air vents be moved?
Ductwork for air conditioning and heating systems consists of supply ducts that dispense air and return ducts that draw air. The average home improvement enthusiast can relocate the ductwork on interior walls that aren’t bearing weight using parts found at home centers and air conditioning supply outlets.
Can I move a cold air return?
Yes, but have an HVAC contractor look at it to see if it will be a simple move or something more complicated. Have a tentative kitchen plan available, as the return air should not be too close to the stove.
How big should my return air duct be?
The duct for this system must be sized by using 6 square inches of clear duct area for each 1000 BTU of cooling. Each ton of cooling contains 12,000 BTU. Multiply the tonnage, 3.5, by the total BTU per ton and this will give you the total BTU rating.
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.
What happens if you block a return 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.
How much does it cost to reroute ductwork?
Rerouting Ductwork: Materials and labor can cost you $35 to $55 per linear foot.
Can you reroute ductwork?
If the ductwork is in the way, you have three options. You can reroute it or split it into more but smaller ducts. But the least disruptive and easiest way is to replace the low ducts with new ducts that are flatter but wider. In most cases, you can gain several inches of headroom.
Is it OK to block a cold air return?
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.
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 flexible duct be used for return air?
Flex duct is widely used for return air in commercial air conditioning systems. Flex duct is able to withstand a certain negative pressure of return air. When installed properly, a flex duct is a reliable and convenient ductwork solution. Flex duct often gets a bad rep because of airflow issues.
Is it OK to close air vents in basement?
There’s no harm in closing a few basement vents. However, you should make a point of reopening those vents after a day or two of leaving them closed. You should also try and keep the vents on all the other floors of your home open to promote consistent and effective airflow.
How long can a return air duct be?
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.
Should return duct be same size as supply?
Yes, return ducts are usually larger than supply ducts to ensure that air within the home is balanced. There are generally more supply vents in the system creating the need for return vents to be larger.
What size should the return air grill be for a 5 ton AC unit?
x 25-in. Return grilles are the best choice for a five-ton system in order to deliver 2,000 cfm back to the blower without causing the return to hemorrhage.
Why does my house have so many return vents?
Your return vents are an indispensable part of the HVAC system in your house. They function to keep your interior pressurized as well as the interior air clean as they feed air to the air handler.
Why does my house have 2 air return vents?
Having two air return vents allows you to seasonally control which air is returning to the HVAC system. The theory is that in the Summer cooling season, you want to be circulating warmer air back through the HVAC system to be cooled.
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.
How do you hide air return vents?
Much like the louvered doors, louvered shutters can be used to hide a return air vent without obstructing airflow. These can be hung over the return vent like a picture would be or secured to the wall with hinges allowing you to open and close the shutters when it’s time to replace your return vent filters.
