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Your Return Vents Are Responsible for Air Pressure When your HVAC system blows air into your home, that changes the air pressure inside. The excess air needs somewhere to go, and that spot is the return vent.
Are return vents necessary?
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 you tell if a vent is a return?
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.
Can you block a return air vent?
What Happens When A Return Vent Is Blocked? Very similar to blocking a heat register, blocking an air return vent restricts the air flow in your home. Blocking air return vents causes your system to work harder, as there is less air flow to move the air back to the furnace.
Where do return air vents go?
Return air vents are generally located near the center of the homes. Older and newer homes often have one register per floor, but homes built from 1960-1990 may have a cold return air vent in each room.
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.
Why is there a return vent in my bedroom?
To put it as simply as I can, return air vents suck air from the rooms in your house in order to return it back to the heating and cooling system through your ductwork. It is then heated or cooled once again before being pushed back into your house to make you comfortable.
Do you need a filter in a return vent?
Should you use a filter in your return vent? For most homes, return vents filters are suggested. They typically won’t cause any damage to your HVAC system and are easy to install – there’s no need for an HVAC technician.
Do return air vents have filters?
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 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 a room doesn’t have a cold air return?
The consequences of inadequate return air pathways Some of that air will find its way under the door and through interior leaks back to the central return vent. The rest of it, though, will push through openings and leak to the outdoors and into interstitial spaces. It leaks out.
Do all homes have return vents?
A return air venting system can be installed in one of two ways: either every room with a supply register will also have a return air vent, or there can be centrally located return vents on each floor of your home.
How are return air vents installed?
Return air ducts usually use ceiling joist spaces as the actual “duct,” which then runs back toward the furnace. These joist spaces empty into an actual duct that runs perpendicular to how the joists run and then down into the side of the furnace.
What is the difference between exhaust and return air?
Exhaust duct systems are generally designed to convey contaminated air from industrial process and work spaces to the outdoors, while return air systems are generally designed to circulate “spent” air through a conditioning unit for reintroduction back into the conditioned space.
Where do you put cold air return vents?
The Location of Cold Air Return Vents Examine your home heating system. Place your cold air return vents on the inside walls of buildings at the lowest point. Place the vent at least 10 feet away from a thermostat, because the cold air draft may cause incorrect temperature readings.
Does a bedroom need a return air?
No every room requires a cold air return. The purpose of the air return is so that air is constantly circulating.
Do houses need air vents?
Air vents in older homes help regulate the environment in the house. Ventilation is the process of moving air. These air ducts, located in the floor and in the walls, helped regulate environmental factors, keep the houses operational and keep the people in them healthy.
