cold air return

[mb32]

Is there any reason why bottom of cold air return in an unfinished basement needs to extend down to floor?
I removed duct work to seal/paint exterior walls and don't know of any reason why they can't remain off. It is less likely that air flow would be blocked if they were terminated near ceiling.

[Jay11J]

Is there any reason why bottom of cold air return in an unfinished basement needs to extend down to floor

Ideal to have this down to the floor is that it pulls the cold air off the basement floor in the winter months.. it makes it feel "warmer" down there.

I removed duct work to seal/paint exterior walls

Was this the return air duct?

don't know of any reason why they can't remain off. It is less likely that air flow would be blocked if they were terminated near ceiling.

Only way I can think of is with this being the exterior wall, there is insulastion???

[Ed Imeduc]

Like to know what ducts did you remove from the outside walls. Most of the time when the basement is unfinished We cut a return air grill near the floor in the cold air drop by the furnace.

ED ;)

[rluzinski]

First, thanks for all the great info here.

I'm finishing my basement, which is essentially one large room and a bathroom. My plan is to have 2 supply vents located opposite each other in the great room, then put the returnin the middle. Here is a sketch (make sure it's maximized):

http://home.new.rr.com/mffl03/vent.jpg

The supply lines will be in the ceiling, about 12" from the exterior walls per Ed's instructions. I'm having trouble locating the return vent at the floor. I wanted to put it in the interior wall that breaks the great room in 2, but the main house support (4-2by10s) is directly above it. Obviously, I can't cut it to get in the wall. I could lower the ceiling to go around it and into the wall but I really would rather not. I could simply cut a hole in the bottom of the main return duct and put the vent right there, however. I understand that's not the best way, but is it really that bad? It would save me alot of time and effort to locate the return vent at the ceiling.

Thanks again.

[Jay11J]

Does the floor joist go top to bottom as if we look at the pix?

I take the red box is the furnace..

I would maybe run a round pipe over to the top side in between the joist above the bathroom, and then drop the return in the wall between the bathroom and great room.

If that really can't work, I've done just cut into the duct work above and put it there.. You may have a cool floor. but if you have a ceiling fan, that'll help move the air around.

[rluzinski]

The red box is the furnace, with the main 2 ducts supply and return)going horizontal to the left. The joists are up and down, so the supply vents will be easy.

I can see if a joist bay is available near the bathroom/greatroom wall. I just figured that was too close to the top supply vent.

[Jay11J]

It'll work.. If you don't want to box around the duct on the center wall.

[rluzinski]

There are no joist bays available near the bathroom wall. I might be able to run a pipe under the stairs and hit the wall between the stairs and great room.... sure is alot of trouble though. Maybe a nice ceiling fan will do the trick :)

Thanks again.

[Jay11J]

I was going to say under the steps earlier, but wasn't sure if that was going to be an issue or not.. but go ahead.