Where should return ducts be located?
They must be correctly placed and unobstructed —Return ducts are usually placed in hallways, under stairwells, or in larger open areas of your home. This placement ensures that they will be able to pull in enough air to take back to the HVAC equipment.
Do you need a return duct in every room?
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. The most important place to have these would be the bedroom.
How big should return duct be?
A typical supply vent is 4 by 10 to 12 inches and a typical return vent is 16 by 20 inches or larger. Houses often have two or more return collecting points, each with a filter, which join before re-entering the heating unit.
How do I know if I have enough return air?
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.
How many return vents do you need in a house?
Having a number of return vents (preferably one in every room, but also 2 or three is far better than just one) creates regular air pressure. If you have one return vent, your house is great. Maintain the doors to every room open so air can properly flow.
How do you size a return air vent?
In order to determine the size of the tonnage you have, simply divide 980 by 400 CFM per ton. Doing this for this space will yield a tonnage of 2.45. Always round up and we have a tonnage value of 2.5. A return air grill should be sized for an air speed of 300-500 FPM(feet per minute).
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.
How many returns are needed in a house?
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.
Where do return air ducts need to be?
If the supply ducts are in the floor, then the return air should be located up high. This pulls the air across your body. If the supply ducts are high or in the ceiling, then the return-air ducts or grills should be low on a wall.
What do you need to know about ductwork?
There are a few different elements to efficient design. Ductwork components consist of ducts, air-supply registers, return grilles, insulation, and sealing tape or cement. For an efficient layout: Use ducts for all air distribution – do not use building cavities such as walls or raised floors.
Where are the return air vents in a room?
The return air vent openings need to be on the opposite side of the room so the conditioned air is pulled across the room. If the supply ducts are in the floor, then the return air should be located up high.
Which is the best way to install ductwork in a home?
For an efficient layout: Use ducts for all air distribution – do not use building cavities such as walls or raised floors. Install ductwork in the most direct and closest route from the air source to the living space. If possible, do not install ducts in unconditioned spaces.