How much clearance does a cold air return need?

How Much Space Does a Return Vent Need? The minimum clearance is 6 inches of space in front of cold air returns. However, this is often not enough. I generally recommend that the return vent have a minimum clearance of 12 inches in front, 12 inches on each side, and 6 inches above and below the return vent.

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. Always check your air filters and replace them when needed.

What will blocking a cold air return do?

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. If the cracks are too large, the furnace can emit carbon monoxide into your home's air.

Can you partially cover a cold air return?

Most residential cooling and heating systems operate as closed-loop systems. In a closed-loop system, air returns play an essential role, and it is important not to block them. Blocking a cool air return means a risk of freezing the air conditioner coils, causing a restriction of air flow.

Can you put a cold air return in a closet?

Return air shall not be taken from a closet, bathroom, toilet room, kitchen, garage, mechanical room, boiler room, furnace room or unconditioned attic.

Return Air Locations

Should cold air returns be high or low?

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.

Where should my cold air returns be located?

Cold air returns are located on interior walls in a home, typically close to the floor or low on the wall. You want to make sure that cold air return vents are not blocked or covered by furniture so that your home can get proper air circulation.

How much space should be in front of air return?

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.

Can you put a piano in front of a cold air return?

Cold air return is not really a problem since it is pulling the air in, but keeping a piano near a vent blowing hot or cold air can damage your piano. FInd the place in your home that has moderate temperature and humidity. Around 45-50% humidity is the ideal environment for your piano.

Can a cold air return be on the floor?

Return vents are usually larger than heat registers and can generally be found close to the ground or in the floor in older homes or on a wall close to a ceiling in newer homes. You will not feel air being blown out of these vents, as they are used to force out the cool air in the room to be reheated by the furnace.

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.

Should cold air returns be sealed?

Return air ducts must be sealed and unobstructed — Sealing return air ducts is just as important as sealing supply ducts. Sealing all duct section connections with mastic, a specialized rubbery sealant, or with metal tape prevents air leaks.

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.

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.

Is it OK to block a return vent?

It's important not to block your return air vent because your HVAC system needs constant return air to work properly. Blocked air return ducts will cause your system to lose energy efficiency and cause premature failure of your HVAC system. This does not mean you don't have many options for hiding your return air vent.

Can you put a table over a return 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.

Can I put a filter on my cold air return?

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.

How much clearance does a floor vent need?

Floor vents should have 6 to 10 inches of clearance from other fixtures to avoid blocking airflow. Air moves much more freely in and out of your HVAC system when you have more space.

Should I paint air return vents?

You generally need to paint only the surfaces that show when the device is installed. Keep in mind that air outlets (registers and diffusers) frequently have adjustable dampers that are visible in use but are behind the face of the product. Apply in 2-4 thin layers. Do not paint in a “one and done” fashion.

Can you put furniture over a vent?

Never Place Furniture Over a Vent

You should never place your furniture over or in front of an air vent. This can lead to lasting damage to your HVAC system and your furniture.

Why are cold air returns on the floor?

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.

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.

Can you have too much return air for furnace?

This isn't the most efficient system. 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.

Should air returns be on the floor or ceiling?

Also you should have return air ducts on each story of the house. The basement one should be on the floor, not the ceiling of the basement. In the upper stories of the house, the return air duct openings on each floor should be approximately equal to the sum of the hot air outlets.