Adding Hvac Return Duct

Think of a rectangular return duct built with drywall.

Adding hvac return duct.

A second return duct can lower static pressure if the airflow bottleneck is on the return side. The new return is added to the existing return duct work so the only true change to the hvac system is there is now twice the filter area. A cheaper way and it works as well if you never close the doors is to add another filter grille. It sounds like you re short on return now very common over sight.

The unit is a carrier 2 1 2 ton heating and cooling system don t have model on me. If you add a return to ever room you ll need to have the filter on the air handler. Step 4 cut a hole in the bottom of the return duct next to where the furnace is. This is not a task suitable for the average homeowner and will likely require a qualified hvac technician to complete the job.

An hvac return air duct should be in every room except a bathroom and kitchen. Secure the duct to the ceiling joists with 1 inch galvanized hanger strap. In our pilot project we had an 8 in the master bedroom and a 14 in the main house and that s only for a 1 5 ton system. They should be on interior walls across the room from the supply ducts that should be washing exterior walls with conditioned air the red arrow points to a large wall mounted return air vent.

Add new cold air returns. Currently the return duct goes from the basement straight to the upstairs area. He shows us how to measure the location cut the dry wall and install the vent. Although it s easier to modify cold air return ducts adding new cold air returns so there s one in every room is the best way to achieve balanced airflow in your home.

The theory behind this is so that the air can be filtered before it is recirculated back to the entire system. The downsides are unless the duct is long enough you can get both light and noise leaks. Dave shows us how to add a hvac return air duct vent. The return air duct should be installed tight to the bottom of the ceiling joists so it makes a tight seal with the panning.

Since the return duct is basically applying negative pressure to the system it is the one that houses the filter. I recently installed an aprilaire 5000 eac and want to know if i can add return ducts to each upstairs bedroom for better air cleaning. The existing air filter is in a wall and there is no air filter at on the hvac system itself. Which is to say it is a band aid for a problem rather than a solution.

Now this does not necessarily mean that you need a return in every room. Jumper ducts must also be larger than return ducts because there is no draw on them. Yes this gets involved and costly.