Do cold air returns have ductwork?

The cold air return ductwork is as important to your home's heating and air conditioning

heating and air conditioning

Ventilating or ventilation (the "V" in HVAC) is the process of exchanging or replacing air in any space to provide high indoor air quality which involves temperature control, oxygen replenishment, and removal of moisture, odors, smoke, heat, dust, airborne bacteria, carbon dioxide, and other gases.

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Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning - Wikipedia

as the lines coming out. While insulating the cold air return might not be important, sealing it is, for two reasons. One is that you want air recycled from the rooms you are heating or cooling.

Do return vents need ductwork?

Air return vents are necessary for the 'inhale' process. They are located on the walls or floors; they are installed low on the wall because cold air has a higher density and it accumulates near the floor. Installed and open cold air return vent delivers cold air to the furnace; furnace returns heated air via ductwork.

How does a return ductwork?

Return air ducts draw air out of each room through a separate air vent and convey it back to the central unit to be reheated or cooled. The entire air distribution system is a closed loop, continuously recirculating the same volume of air throughout the house.

What is the purpose of cold air return vents?

The Purpose of Your Cold Air Returns

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.

Is it OK to block a cold air return?

Long story short: It's never a good idea to cover up cold air returns. Don't succumb to the temptation, and always check that air is circulating freely when you move furniture. If your HVAC system isn't performing the way you would like, it might have other efficiency issues.

Learn about Cold Air Returns

How many return vents should a house have?

Your Home Might Not Have Enough Return 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.

Where should return ducts be located?

If you are in the far north, or in the Southern US, the answer is simple. In an air conditioning climate the return duct goes near the ceiling to draw off the hot air and cool it down. In a heating climate, the return duct goes near the floor to draw off the cold air and heat it up.

How can you tell the difference between supply and return ductwork?

Supply vents are usually found high up on the walls in your home, or on the ceiling. Return Vents: These air vents suck air from the rooms in your home back into your HVAC system. They are typically larger in size than supply vents and you will not feel air blowing out of them.

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 does a return vent look like?

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.

Do cold air returns need to be metal?

Unlike supply vents, return vents do not need to be cased in metal. They can be placed into staircase cavities, stacked closets that run one on top of the other, or in stud cavities in the wall.

Can I use flexible duct for cold air return?

Yes, you can use flex ducts for your return air. However, to maximize its usefulness, it needs to conform to technical specifications such as its insulation rating, pressure checks, dust filters, duct sizing and placement, and lastly, the installation requirements.

What happens if a return vent is blocked?

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.

Can I put furniture in front of a return vent?

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.

Does every air return need a filter?

In general, it is recommended to have an air filter in every return vent (as long as you choose the one of the right size and thickness). The filters will improve the air quality in your house and will protect the HVAC equipment from dust, pollen, pet dander, and hair.

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. They must be properly sized — Return air ducts must be large enough to carry a sufficient amount of expended air back to your furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump.

Why does my return vent smell?

Unfortunately, mold or mildew growth from moisture in the air may be the root cause of the smell. As mold grows inside return air ducts, the air flowing through the ducts carries a musty odor to your rooms. These smells may cause headaches or aggravate health issues such as asthma or allergies.

How do you identify a duct?

Visually inspect all ductwork you have access to. Climb into your attic, crawlspace and/or basement and take a look at the ducts that are visible. Look at each section of duct and connection for obvious gaps, disconnections and tears. Also, look for areas of the ducts which have duct tape affixed.

How do I know if my return vent 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.

Why do I have two air returns?

Having two air return vents allows you to seasonally control which air is returning to the HVAC system. In older homes, this may not be an option. 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 return air ducts 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.

Should a basement have a cold air return?

I recommend that all basements should have at least 2 supply registers and 1 return register in the basement/equipment area just to keep that area slightly warm or cool and the air fresh. If you are going to finish that area to be used as living space, then more supply and returns will be needed.

Should every room have a cold air return?

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.

Should you cover cold air returns in winter?

Changing With The Seasons

In the same way that hot air rises, cold air stays lower. So when you're trying to heat your home, your lower return vents should be open to collect the cold air and your upper return vents should be closed to keep the heat from escaping.