Is it ok to staple romex to a length of wood frame that makes a cold air return?
Q. I want to use the wood at the cold air return as a running board. I understand the basics of running boards, I just want to make sure that I can use the wood that makes a cold air return. Older house here in which the cold air returns on the basement celing are made of wood frames with sheet metal nailed to them making the duct.
Asked by bucky - Thu Sep 6 10:30:20 2007 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments
A. Yes that is allowed by the national code. No problem. Staple every 4 1/2 feet or less. Use romex staples.
Answered by John himself - Thu Sep 6 12:28:17 2007
Q. I want to use the wood at the cold air return as a running board. I understand the basics of running boards, I just want to make sure that I can use the wood that makes a cold air return. Older house here in which the cold air returns on the basement celing are made of wood frames with sheet metal nailed to them making the duct.
Asked by bucky - Thu Sep 6 10:30:20 2007 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments
A. Yes that is allowed by the national code. No problem. Staple every 4 1/2 feet or less. Use romex staples.
Answered by John himself - Thu Sep 6 12:28:17 2007
I have cold air coming out of my cold air return vent...What is wrong with this picture?
Q. My house is a ranch style, I have two vents on an inside wall between the kitchen and the living room, one high and one low. I feel a very cold air coming out of it, this is not normal? What is wrong with it? I had thought that cold air return vents were supposed to be drawing air in not blow it out.
Asked by banhdyt7 - Mon Dec 10 12:30:14 2007 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments
A. If the return air duct system is not designed and installed properly, that can happen. What happens is that when the heating system fan is off, and things like fireplaces, chimneys, bath fans, kitchen hoods, etc are used it causes a lower pressure in the home than outside. Therefore cold air is drawn in any cracks etc. If the return duct system is not sealed properly, that air required to equalize the pressure can enter through the return air system. For more info, check out the ducts page at my source.
Answered by RICH @www.hvac-for-beginners.com - Mon Dec 10 13:11:26 2007
Q. My house is a ranch style, I have two vents on an inside wall between the kitchen and the living room, one high and one low. I feel a very cold air coming out of it, this is not normal? What is wrong with it? I had thought that cold air return vents were supposed to be drawing air in not blow it out.
Asked by banhdyt7 - Mon Dec 10 12:30:14 2007 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments
A. If the return air duct system is not designed and installed properly, that can happen. What happens is that when the heating system fan is off, and things like fireplaces, chimneys, bath fans, kitchen hoods, etc are used it causes a lower pressure in the home than outside. Therefore cold air is drawn in any cracks etc. If the return duct system is not sealed properly, that air required to equalize the pressure can enter through the return air system. For more info, check out the ducts page at my source.
Answered by RICH @www.hvac-for-beginners.com - Mon Dec 10 13:11:26 2007
Finishing my basement and want to add heat, can I tap off existing ducts? Is cold air return neccessary?
Q. My cold air return runs through the center of my house with one large return on the main floor and upper level, it may be tough to branch off this for the basement, if would have to be at the furnace directly above the humidifier, is that okay?
Asked by cquick99 - Thu Dec 27 17:46:27 2007 - - 4 Answers - 0 Comments
A. You can tap off of existing ducts but there will end up being a temperature difference between the upstairs and the basement. You need separate ducts and a zoned system to avoid that. It would also be better to get return air out of the basement too. For more info, check out the ducts page at my source.
Answered by RICH @www.hvac-for-beginners.com - Thu Dec 27 18:01:32 2007
Q. My cold air return runs through the center of my house with one large return on the main floor and upper level, it may be tough to branch off this for the basement, if would have to be at the furnace directly above the humidifier, is that okay?
Asked by cquick99 - Thu Dec 27 17:46:27 2007 - - 4 Answers - 0 Comments
A. You can tap off of existing ducts but there will end up being a temperature difference between the upstairs and the basement. You need separate ducts and a zoned system to avoid that. It would also be better to get return air out of the basement too. For more info, check out the ducts page at my source.
Answered by RICH @www.hvac-for-beginners.com - Thu Dec 27 18:01:32 2007
What is the best material to update my house's old air return ducts?
Q. Old air return ducts have metal plate bottoms & all other sides wood. Without it hanging low out of the ceiling in the basement, what is the best way to update 8x24 ducts? lining? special paint?
Asked by clide311 - Tue Oct 20 21:21:50 2009 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments
A. If they are in the floor trusses then you can not line them with insulation with out chocking the air off. Flexable duct would be a good choice as it can be squeezed 25%. A square 8 X 24 duct would be equal to 14" flex.
Answered by Karla - Wed Oct 21 09:21:13 2009
Q. Old air return ducts have metal plate bottoms & all other sides wood. Without it hanging low out of the ceiling in the basement, what is the best way to update 8x24 ducts? lining? special paint?
Asked by clide311 - Tue Oct 20 21:21:50 2009 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments
A. If they are in the floor trusses then you can not line them with insulation with out chocking the air off. Flexable duct would be a good choice as it can be squeezed 25%. A square 8 X 24 duct would be equal to 14" flex.
Answered by Karla - Wed Oct 21 09:21:13 2009
What level of insulation should the return duct for air returning to central A/C have compared to air supply?
Q. Return air duct is on roof (20' run) in La Paz BCS MX lots of 100F days. Local Trane dealer just brought new ducts without any interior duct insulation and the exterior F/G batting 1.5" is skin tight on the corners. Does the return normally get lower level of insulation on new install?
Asked by stinkydoor - Sat Jun 30 00:00:33 2007 - - 4 Answers - 0 Comments
A. On indoor return ductwork there is no need for any insulation. The temperature of the return air is roughly equal to the temperature of the space the duct is in. However, on outdoor ductwork its a different story. Local building codes would dictate how much insulation, but most likely it would be the same as the supply duct.
Answered by Joe B - Sat Jun 30 14:31:47 2007
Q. Return air duct is on roof (20' run) in La Paz BCS MX lots of 100F days. Local Trane dealer just brought new ducts without any interior duct insulation and the exterior F/G batting 1.5" is skin tight on the corners. Does the return normally get lower level of insulation on new install?
Asked by stinkydoor - Sat Jun 30 00:00:33 2007 - - 4 Answers - 0 Comments
A. On indoor return ductwork there is no need for any insulation. The temperature of the return air is roughly equal to the temperature of the space the duct is in. However, on outdoor ductwork its a different story. Local building codes would dictate how much insulation, but most likely it would be the same as the supply duct.
Answered by Joe B - Sat Jun 30 14:31:47 2007
Is there a magic formula for how many feet of HVAC ducting versus feet for air return?
Q. I am adding about 300 sq. ft. to my living space with a vaulted ceiling. I need help figuring out if I NEED an air return vent, or will the returns in the rest of the house pull enough to do the job? Thanks for your input!
Asked by pongo ol' boy - Sun Jan 25 15:54:03 2009 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments
A. ASHRAE Manual J is what is typically used to compute duct sizes; you probably don't need to get that involved, since it's only a small addition. It depends on what the space is being used for; the International Residential Code does not allow return air to be taken from a kitchen or bathroom. Any other room will be conditioned more efficiently if you have a return air grill actually IN the room; but it is generally not a Code requirement. An exception to this is sometimes in basements, and this depends largely on how the Authority Having Jurisdiction (Head of the Building Department, or other Inspector) interprets the Code requirements for light & vent in Chapter 3 of the IRC. If this is a second floor living space, remember that you… [cont.]
Answered by Electrical Inspector - Sun Jan 25 16:49:24 2009
Q. I am adding about 300 sq. ft. to my living space with a vaulted ceiling. I need help figuring out if I NEED an air return vent, or will the returns in the rest of the house pull enough to do the job? Thanks for your input!
Asked by pongo ol' boy - Sun Jan 25 15:54:03 2009 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments
A. ASHRAE Manual J is what is typically used to compute duct sizes; you probably don't need to get that involved, since it's only a small addition. It depends on what the space is being used for; the International Residential Code does not allow return air to be taken from a kitchen or bathroom. Any other room will be conditioned more efficiently if you have a return air grill actually IN the room; but it is generally not a Code requirement. An exception to this is sometimes in basements, and this depends largely on how the Authority Having Jurisdiction (Head of the Building Department, or other Inspector) interprets the Code requirements for light & vent in Chapter 3 of the IRC. If this is a second floor living space, remember that you… [cont.]
Answered by Electrical Inspector - Sun Jan 25 16:49:24 2009
Can I put a piano in front of a cold air return?
Q. Can I put a piano a few inches away from the wall which has the cold air return there?
Asked by rustynail - Tue Jan 30 22:18:24 2007 - - 7 Answers - 0 Comments
A. As long as there is at least a few inches for air movement, you should be fine. I'd be more concerned if you wanted to put an upholstered piece of furniture there. With a piano, though, the air will move AROUND it, and the cold air return won't be essentially sucking air in through a filter.
Answered by Megan G - Tue Jan 30 22:26:32 2007
Q. Can I put a piano a few inches away from the wall which has the cold air return there?
Asked by rustynail - Tue Jan 30 22:18:24 2007 - - 7 Answers - 0 Comments
A. As long as there is at least a few inches for air movement, you should be fine. I'd be more concerned if you wanted to put an upholstered piece of furniture there. With a piano, though, the air will move AROUND it, and the cold air return won't be essentially sucking air in through a filter.
Answered by Megan G - Tue Jan 30 22:26:32 2007
Can I cover a cold air return vent with a couch?
Q. I want to buy a new couch and the size of it would require me to cover a cold air return vent on the floor. The couch is about 3 inches off the ground and does not have a skirt. I have another vent that is completely uncovered. Is this safe?
Asked by Ian - Sun May 10 21:11:42 2009 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments
A. you are fine! if it has some inches of separation it's completely safe!
Answered by ~Becks~ - Sun May 10 21:22:56 2009
Q. I want to buy a new couch and the size of it would require me to cover a cold air return vent on the floor. The couch is about 3 inches off the ground and does not have a skirt. I have another vent that is completely uncovered. Is this safe?
Asked by Ian - Sun May 10 21:11:42 2009 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments
A. you are fine! if it has some inches of separation it's completely safe!
Answered by ~Becks~ - Sun May 10 21:22:56 2009
Will putting filter material on cold air return reduce the furnaces effectiveness?
Q. I have a ton of dust in the house and thought that placing cuttable register filter material on the inside of the cold air return grate would help. I am wondering if this will do any good (house still VERY dusty), or if I am inadvertantely effecting the furnace's performance.
Asked by lisa - Sat Mar 10 15:33:00 2007 - - 5 Answers - 0 Comments
A. My fist job in the HVAC business was cleaning ducts and you wouldn't believe the amount of "stuff" I cleaned out of older houses duct work. Most of the customers did the duct cleaning because of alergy or asthma problems. I would also recomend they install an electostatic air cleaner after I finished cleaning. If you live in an older house, your best starting point would be to get your ducts professionally cleaned. You can add filter media to your cold air grills, and it will not drastically affect your air flow, IF your replace them regularly, if you leave them in too long and they become partially plugged you will begain to have furnace problems. Your furnace will begin to short cycle because it won't be getting enough air flow, which… [cont.]
Answered by ELF_N_MAGIC - Sun Mar 11 09:20:45 2007
Q. I have a ton of dust in the house and thought that placing cuttable register filter material on the inside of the cold air return grate would help. I am wondering if this will do any good (house still VERY dusty), or if I am inadvertantely effecting the furnace's performance.
Asked by lisa - Sat Mar 10 15:33:00 2007 - - 5 Answers - 0 Comments
A. My fist job in the HVAC business was cleaning ducts and you wouldn't believe the amount of "stuff" I cleaned out of older houses duct work. Most of the customers did the duct cleaning because of alergy or asthma problems. I would also recomend they install an electostatic air cleaner after I finished cleaning. If you live in an older house, your best starting point would be to get your ducts professionally cleaned. You can add filter media to your cold air grills, and it will not drastically affect your air flow, IF your replace them regularly, if you leave them in too long and they become partially plugged you will begain to have furnace problems. Your furnace will begin to short cycle because it won't be getting enough air flow, which… [cont.]
Answered by ELF_N_MAGIC - Sun Mar 11 09:20:45 2007
Air conditioner air return intake?
Q. I have a large return air intake in my floor that goes to my outside air conditioner. I need to move furnature around, can I put my couch (which stands about 2 inches off the ground) over this vent?
Asked by Kyle - Wed Dec 26 09:38:51 2007 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments
A. You can, but it will offer some restriction to air flow and may not work as well.
Answered by Paul - Wed Dec 26 09:47:44 2007
Q. I have a large return air intake in my floor that goes to my outside air conditioner. I need to move furnature around, can I put my couch (which stands about 2 inches off the ground) over this vent?
Asked by Kyle - Wed Dec 26 09:38:51 2007 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments
A. You can, but it will offer some restriction to air flow and may not work as well.
Answered by Paul - Wed Dec 26 09:47:44 2007
using only one cold air return?
Q. I have a furnace that is up in my attic.The vents blow the hot air down from the ceiling.The cold air returns go from under the house which is a damp musty crawl space.Can I use just one cold air return for the furnace and block the others which smell musty?
Asked by matt b - Sun Oct 8 20:26:07 2006 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments
A. no, dont block your returns,,,your furnace and ductwork were designed to work together,,,your hvac guy that installed it used a formula to determine how many returns you needed and what size they should be,,,if you close off returns and use your central air conditioning, you will turn your a-coil into a block of ice,,,even if you dont use central air conditioning, you really need your return air vents to operate,,,that warm air you want your furnace to provide has to come from somewhere,,and that somewhere is you rooms via the return air ducts,,,
Answered by johnthepainter - Sun Oct 8 20:44:44 2006
Q. I have a furnace that is up in my attic.The vents blow the hot air down from the ceiling.The cold air returns go from under the house which is a damp musty crawl space.Can I use just one cold air return for the furnace and block the others which smell musty?
Asked by matt b - Sun Oct 8 20:26:07 2006 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments
A. no, dont block your returns,,,your furnace and ductwork were designed to work together,,,your hvac guy that installed it used a formula to determine how many returns you needed and what size they should be,,,if you close off returns and use your central air conditioning, you will turn your a-coil into a block of ice,,,even if you dont use central air conditioning, you really need your return air vents to operate,,,that warm air you want your furnace to provide has to come from somewhere,,and that somewhere is you rooms via the return air ducts,,,
Answered by johnthepainter - Sun Oct 8 20:44:44 2006
Should every room that has a heat vent also have a cold air return vent also? Why or why not?
Q. Does this affect the heat in the room? Does this affect the efficiency of the furnace? If a room doesn't have a cold air return, is it worth the expense to try to add one?
Asked by joeflaherty - Thu Feb 8 14:06:35 2007 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments
A. When we install in a new construction every room except the bathroom and kitchen get returns for reasons that I shouldn't have to explain. It is more of a comfort issue than it is efficiency. I agree with the first answer to a certain extent. If the return air is sized correctly it will be just as efficient with a single return as it would with multiple returns. If a door gets shut and there is no return in that room then the room will get stuffy unless the door is cut off on the bottom to allow air to return under the door. This is a fairly inexpensive way to fix that problem. You don't necessarily have to tear drywall up to install a R/A. It can be done in a wall if an installer measures correctly they can access your wall from… [cont.]
Answered by Terry N - Thu Feb 8 18:39:24 2007
Q. Does this affect the heat in the room? Does this affect the efficiency of the furnace? If a room doesn't have a cold air return, is it worth the expense to try to add one?
Asked by joeflaherty - Thu Feb 8 14:06:35 2007 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments
A. When we install in a new construction every room except the bathroom and kitchen get returns for reasons that I shouldn't have to explain. It is more of a comfort issue than it is efficiency. I agree with the first answer to a certain extent. If the return air is sized correctly it will be just as efficient with a single return as it would with multiple returns. If a door gets shut and there is no return in that room then the room will get stuffy unless the door is cut off on the bottom to allow air to return under the door. This is a fairly inexpensive way to fix that problem. You don't necessarily have to tear drywall up to install a R/A. It can be done in a wall if an installer measures correctly they can access your wall from… [cont.]
Answered by Terry N - Thu Feb 8 18:39:24 2007
I have a hot air furnace and need to get some info on my upstairs cold air return problems.?
Q. I have a 3 level home, cellar, main, and upstairs. My hot air furnace heats the main properly and has the thermostat, but the upstairs north facing bedrooms remain cold in the winter. There are 4 cold air returns on main floor, but none upstairs, except the spiral stairwell. I have a pellet stove that runs in the cellar that keeps the main floor supplemented and warmer, thus not kicking on the air furnace too often. I put two open floor grates to let some cold air go into the cellar from the main floor, and I also tried putting a grate in my son's upstairs bedroom floor to allow some cold air to move downstairs. None of this has seemed to help the problem and it's still only 63 upstairs in his room. I know the pellet stove is keeping… [cont.]
Asked by gdeschaine - Fri Nov 24 08:13:56 2006 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments
A. Where does the grate in the bedroom lead to? If it's just a hole in the floor the cold air has no place to go. It has to be connected by ductwoork to the return air of the furnace. Otherwise the cold air will stay put. But putting ductwork from the 2nd floor would be a massive job. You'd be better of to get something like a portable quartz air heater for the bedroom and just turn it on an hour before bedtime.
Answered by college kid - Fri Nov 24 09:50:05 2006
Q. I have a 3 level home, cellar, main, and upstairs. My hot air furnace heats the main properly and has the thermostat, but the upstairs north facing bedrooms remain cold in the winter. There are 4 cold air returns on main floor, but none upstairs, except the spiral stairwell. I have a pellet stove that runs in the cellar that keeps the main floor supplemented and warmer, thus not kicking on the air furnace too often. I put two open floor grates to let some cold air go into the cellar from the main floor, and I also tried putting a grate in my son's upstairs bedroom floor to allow some cold air to move downstairs. None of this has seemed to help the problem and it's still only 63 upstairs in his room. I know the pellet stove is keeping… [cont.]
Asked by gdeschaine - Fri Nov 24 08:13:56 2006 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments
A. Where does the grate in the bedroom lead to? If it's just a hole in the floor the cold air has no place to go. It has to be connected by ductwoork to the return air of the furnace. Otherwise the cold air will stay put. But putting ductwork from the 2nd floor would be a massive job. You'd be better of to get something like a portable quartz air heater for the bedroom and just turn it on an hour before bedtime.
Answered by college kid - Fri Nov 24 09:50:05 2006
Where is the best location for a return air vent/duct?
Q. Our house is currently being built. I just noticed while we were there checking everything out that they have placed one of the return air vents (it is definately not a heating duct) in the floor. Aren't these usually in a wall? Either high up or down low. I have never seen them in the floor. Is it ok? Should I complain to the builder and can they move it now?
Asked by Shelley - Sun Mar 30 21:28:25 2008 - - 4 Answers - 0 Comments
A. It's fine on the floor. They may have been limited for space for the size needed. The joist space gives far more room for airlow than a wall space cavity.
Answered by gizmoe - Sun Mar 30 22:48:33 2008
Q. Our house is currently being built. I just noticed while we were there checking everything out that they have placed one of the return air vents (it is definately not a heating duct) in the floor. Aren't these usually in a wall? Either high up or down low. I have never seen them in the floor. Is it ok? Should I complain to the builder and can they move it now?
Asked by Shelley - Sun Mar 30 21:28:25 2008 - - 4 Answers - 0 Comments
A. It's fine on the floor. They may have been limited for space for the size needed. The joist space gives far more room for airlow than a wall space cavity.
Answered by gizmoe - Sun Mar 30 22:48:33 2008
Can I put a rug over the return air conditioning vent in the floor?
Q. I live in an older home and the air condition return vent is in the middle of the floor in the hallway. i want to put a rug over it because its so unattractive. i heard i could do this but it had to be a certain kind on rug. can anyone offer advice?
Asked by sarah h - Mon Oct 8 09:37:56 2007 - - 4 Answers - 0 Comments
A. You won't get the flow of air in the room to cool or heat the space. However, if you have other vents, you may be OK if the room is not too big. If that is the only one, then you will experience a difference in the temperature. Other side effects could be the unit could start to freeze if it is on the cooling mode since not enough air is circulating. Try it and monitor the unit's coil, and the obvious one is see if it still cools or heats the space. On the heating side, make sure the rug won't catch fire. Good luck
Answered by 747pilot - Mon Oct 8 11:44:30 2007
Q. I live in an older home and the air condition return vent is in the middle of the floor in the hallway. i want to put a rug over it because its so unattractive. i heard i could do this but it had to be a certain kind on rug. can anyone offer advice?
Asked by sarah h - Mon Oct 8 09:37:56 2007 - - 4 Answers - 0 Comments
A. You won't get the flow of air in the room to cool or heat the space. However, if you have other vents, you may be OK if the room is not too big. If that is the only one, then you will experience a difference in the temperature. Other side effects could be the unit could start to freeze if it is on the cooling mode since not enough air is circulating. Try it and monitor the unit's coil, and the obvious one is see if it still cools or heats the space. On the heating side, make sure the rug won't catch fire. Good luck
Answered by 747pilot - Mon Oct 8 11:44:30 2007
How far away does a Smoke detector have to be from a return air vent on a ceiling in Florida?
Q. How far away does a Smoke detector have to be from a return air vent on a ceiling in Florida to be in compliance with state building codes? Thanks for your help, Zander
Asked by Zander - Mon Jun 15 16:53:06 2009 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments
A. at least 2 feet is the rule of thumb I have used when doing residential work, though code doesn't specify for return. Not less than 36" horizontal path from the supply register and outside of the direct air flow.( NFPA72 11.8.3.5 (6)) though you are required to consider the anticipated smoke flows during a fire as it would apply to the ceiling your working with( NFPA72 5.7.3.1.1) As the return air register would suck the air (and thus smoke) towards itself, maybe somewhere in proximity wouldn't be so bad.
Answered by honestguy602 - Mon Jun 15 23:20:05 2009
Q. How far away does a Smoke detector have to be from a return air vent on a ceiling in Florida to be in compliance with state building codes? Thanks for your help, Zander
Asked by Zander - Mon Jun 15 16:53:06 2009 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments
A. at least 2 feet is the rule of thumb I have used when doing residential work, though code doesn't specify for return. Not less than 36" horizontal path from the supply register and outside of the direct air flow.( NFPA72 11.8.3.5 (6)) though you are required to consider the anticipated smoke flows during a fire as it would apply to the ceiling your working with( NFPA72 5.7.3.1.1) As the return air register would suck the air (and thus smoke) towards itself, maybe somewhere in proximity wouldn't be so bad.
Answered by honestguy602 - Mon Jun 15 23:20:05 2009
How many return air ducts for furnace?
Q. I have a 1-1/2 storey home with an Armstrong SX90 furnace. How many return air ducts should I have?
Asked by martean - Tue Nov 4 15:54:44 2008 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments
A. The returns help to keep the flow more even throughout your home. If possible, put one in every room excluding bathrooms and kitchen. If accessibility is a problem; try to get at least one on each level, centrally located in a hallway or centrally located room; such as the living room. Try to stay away from being too close to a stair opening. You can either cut the door bottoms slightly to allow flow to the return from the adjacent rooms, or perhaps cut holes on each side of the walls to those rooms, and install return air duct grilles which would then feed the actual return. Lastly, I recently stayed in an historic hotel. Many hotels have one main duct that supplies heat/cooling and the return is at the unit itself. This hotel cut a… [cont.]
Answered by M M - Tue Nov 4 16:35:11 2008
Q. I have a 1-1/2 storey home with an Armstrong SX90 furnace. How many return air ducts should I have?
Asked by martean - Tue Nov 4 15:54:44 2008 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments
A. The returns help to keep the flow more even throughout your home. If possible, put one in every room excluding bathrooms and kitchen. If accessibility is a problem; try to get at least one on each level, centrally located in a hallway or centrally located room; such as the living room. Try to stay away from being too close to a stair opening. You can either cut the door bottoms slightly to allow flow to the return from the adjacent rooms, or perhaps cut holes on each side of the walls to those rooms, and install return air duct grilles which would then feed the actual return. Lastly, I recently stayed in an historic hotel. Many hotels have one main duct that supplies heat/cooling and the return is at the unit itself. This hotel cut a… [cont.]
Answered by M M - Tue Nov 4 16:35:11 2008
I have a question about a cold air return?
Q. I enclosed a open area in an upstairs and made it a bedroom the upstairs has a furance of its own the cold air return for the furance was located in the open area but it is now located in the bedroom that I made. Will this be a problem since it is no longer in a open area. I was thinking about cutting a hole in the wall and putting some vent covers over it so that the new bedroom could get more air in it for the cold air return
Asked by Matt H - Fri Feb 15 22:53:59 2008 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments
A. I live in a 108 year old Colonial farmhouse. My upstairs hallway was a very large L shaped room. A total waste of space. The hallway had a large cold air return that circulated the air throughout the upstairs. I had part of the hallway enclosed to make for my office area and a much needed closet. In doing so I lost the monster of a cold air return. We had holes and vents, cut out along the base of the wall in EACH bedroom upstairs and have had no problems. In fact the upstairs seems a bit warmer in the winter. I had 2 massive cold air returns downstairs that were framed in to reduce their size (during remodel). Again, I feel that the rooms feel warmer. I did benefit in keeping the original grates. They make for a unique wall decor. [cont.]
Answered by frenchcountryplus - Fri Feb 15 23:23:44 2008
Q. I enclosed a open area in an upstairs and made it a bedroom the upstairs has a furance of its own the cold air return for the furance was located in the open area but it is now located in the bedroom that I made. Will this be a problem since it is no longer in a open area. I was thinking about cutting a hole in the wall and putting some vent covers over it so that the new bedroom could get more air in it for the cold air return
Asked by Matt H - Fri Feb 15 22:53:59 2008 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments
A. I live in a 108 year old Colonial farmhouse. My upstairs hallway was a very large L shaped room. A total waste of space. The hallway had a large cold air return that circulated the air throughout the upstairs. I had part of the hallway enclosed to make for my office area and a much needed closet. In doing so I lost the monster of a cold air return. We had holes and vents, cut out along the base of the wall in EACH bedroom upstairs and have had no problems. In fact the upstairs seems a bit warmer in the winter. I had 2 massive cold air returns downstairs that were framed in to reduce their size (during remodel). Again, I feel that the rooms feel warmer. I did benefit in keeping the original grates. They make for a unique wall decor. [cont.]
Answered by frenchcountryplus - Fri Feb 15 23:23:44 2008
Is it possible for there to be too much return air to a furnace heat & a/c?
Q. Could you ever have too much return air where it would cause the overall system to not cool or heat as well? In other words, could too many returns or too large of returns reduce the air flow being pulled out of some rooms, thus keeping them hotter? I guess that would mean, if there's too much return, and rooms are staying hotter, the system could run longer? Someone tell me my logic is wrong! :)
Asked by Avenger - Sun Apr 26 16:22:46 2009 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments
A. No, the return air only flows when the heated air pushes it out. But if your thermostat is in a cool place and you keep the bedroom door shut it will keep heating the closed room until the therm reaches temp
Answered by Mr Fixit - Sun Apr 26 16:32:22 2009
Q. Could you ever have too much return air where it would cause the overall system to not cool or heat as well? In other words, could too many returns or too large of returns reduce the air flow being pulled out of some rooms, thus keeping them hotter? I guess that would mean, if there's too much return, and rooms are staying hotter, the system could run longer? Someone tell me my logic is wrong! :)
Asked by Avenger - Sun Apr 26 16:22:46 2009 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments
A. No, the return air only flows when the heated air pushes it out. But if your thermostat is in a cool place and you keep the bedroom door shut it will keep heating the closed room until the therm reaches temp
Answered by Mr Fixit - Sun Apr 26 16:32:22 2009
Can a furnace air return duct be made out of plywood?
Q. I'm thinking of using plywood instead of tin. can I "wood" right up to the furnace? Of course on the return side only.It is a gas furnace.
Asked by axismiracle - Thu Sep 28 17:47:51 2006 - - 8 Answers - 0 Comments
A. You can't wood right up to the furnace, code doesn't allow that. As for using plywood up to a safe distance away from the furnace, you could but I wouldn't recommend it. That's because it's organic and combustable, not to mention you're basically going to be breathing in wooden dust particles if you were to set it up. If you aren't too worried about your health, or the major decrease in efficiency of the air velocity of your returns/system (as wood does not provide a smooth surface for air flow and would create frictional resistance against the flow of air. That's why dust particles can be easily caught on wood), then yeah go for it, but from what I can make of it, it's not a good idea.
Answered by Shortstuff71 - Mon Oct 2 14:18:32 2006
Q. I'm thinking of using plywood instead of tin. can I "wood" right up to the furnace? Of course on the return side only.It is a gas furnace.
Asked by axismiracle - Thu Sep 28 17:47:51 2006 - - 8 Answers - 0 Comments
A. You can't wood right up to the furnace, code doesn't allow that. As for using plywood up to a safe distance away from the furnace, you could but I wouldn't recommend it. That's because it's organic and combustable, not to mention you're basically going to be breathing in wooden dust particles if you were to set it up. If you aren't too worried about your health, or the major decrease in efficiency of the air velocity of your returns/system (as wood does not provide a smooth surface for air flow and would create frictional resistance against the flow of air. That's why dust particles can be easily caught on wood), then yeah go for it, but from what I can make of it, it's not a good idea.
Answered by Shortstuff71 - Mon Oct 2 14:18:32 2006
From Yahoo Answer Search: 'air return'
Sat Mar 6 22:49:14 2010 [ refresh local cache ]
