Stud cavity return vents-open or close?

[lotzaboyz4]

I just moved into a house that has return air runs in stud cavities for each room of the house. There are two registers per run. The ones at the top of the wall are always open, however the ones at the bottom of the wall can be openned or closed. I don't know when to close the one at the bottom. Should I close it when I'm running the heater or the air conditioning? Or should I leave it open year-round?
Thanks for your help.

[Jay11J]

I've seen this done to a couple of homes.. I think this is done by home owners themselves..

Anyway, I wouild close off the lower vents in the summer. That way you can use the upper vent to pull away the hot air that is near the ceiling.

In the winter, open the lower vents to pull the cold air off the floor.

Is all of them like this??? I would leave at least one or two closed to help "recycle" the warm air in the winter.

[Ed Imeduc]

I think you will find on the bottom register there is a blade like on the back to close it. So like Jay said for the winter open it and the damper part will block off the top grill so you take all of the cold air return off near the floor. In summer when you close it that lets the stud space open so you take hot air off near to top of the room.

ED ;)