Importance of Proper AC Return Vents When air return vents are not working properly or blocked, the entire HVAC system stops working efficiently. Blocked vents can hinder airflow and cause the system to run inefficiently.

What is the purpose of return air ducts?

Return vents: What is a return vent? These vents suck the air from each room and send it back to the air conditioning or heating system. Return vents tend to be bigger than supply vents, and you won’t feel any air coming from them. When an HVAC system delivers air to a room, it increases that room’s air pressure.

What happens when you dont have enough return air?





A symptom of not enough air from return vents is a difference in pressure between your rooms. Rooms closer to the HVAC unit will get more return air than rooms further from the HVAC unit. As a result, you will have different air pressure in different rooms.

Are cold air returns connected to furnace?

When warm air is delivered to a room, the existing cold air in that room is pushed into the cold air returns. Once inside your cold air returns, that air travels through your ductwork back to your furnace where it is filtered, heated and sent back to warm your home.

How do I know if my return air 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.

What happens if you block a return air vent?

Blocking air return vents causes your system to work harder, as there is less air flow to move the air back to the furnace. This continued strain on the HVAC system can lead to a decrease in performance and more HVAC repairs down the road.

Are return air ducts required?





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.

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.

Can you put a couch 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.

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.

How do you tell if a duct is blocked?



Signs of an air duct clog include:

  1. Temperatures varying drastically between rooms.
  2. Dirty air coming from vents.
  3. Unusual spikes in electric bills.
  4. Air is not coming out of some vents in your house.
  5. Air coming from vents is warm.

How can you tell if an air duct is clogged?

The biggest symptom of clogged air ducts in your home is a difference in temperatures. This is most likely to occur if you set your whole-home thermostat to the desired temperature and then notice that one room isn’t as warm or cool as the others.

How do I know if my cold air return is blocked?



You can generally identify a blocked air duct by a distinct drop in heating and cooling efficiency, increased energy costs and occasionally a musty, dusty smell throughout the home. Blockage usually comes over time, by a buildup of dust and debris that just accumulates until it begins choking the system.

Is it OK to block air return?

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.

Does a high efficiency furnace need a cold air return?

Since high efficiency furnaces draw air directly from outside, the furnace itself does not require a fresh air intake in order to replace inside air that otherwise would have been drawn from the room the furnace is located in.

Should you cover cold air returns in winter?

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.

Why is my bedroom hotter than the rest of the house in winter?



First, check for these common problems: Dirty air filter—A dirty filter restricts airflow, not letting your home get enough cool air. Closed vents—Closed vents in rooms can cause them to be hotter than other rooms. Open windows—Your conditioned air can flow out of open windows, leaving uneven temperatures in your home.

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.

Do all return air vents have filters?

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.

Do I need both a furnace filter and a return air grill filter?

Do I Need Both a Furnace Filter and a Return Air Grill Filter? Yes, you are going to need a furnace filter and a return duct filter. The main purpose of the furnace filter is to protect the blower from dust, debris, pet dander, and so on.

How do you clean an AC return vent?



Clean Out the Vents: Turn off your heat or A/C and cover furniture if your vents are in the ceiling. Vacuum your vents with a dust attachment, and then use a microfiber duster to loosen anything missed by the vacuum. Avoid using water and cleaning products, as they smear the dust around and turn it into a paste.