Basement Duct for Rec Room

[rwojtczak]

I am looking at finishing my basement. The section I want to finish off has the cold and warm air return running through it. The cold air return is flush up against the basement joists, the warm air duct hangs about 2 inches below the basement joists.

I am thinking about moving the warm air duct so that it is also flush up against the joist, by doing this I GAIN approximately 2 additions inches in head room for the ceiling. This is about 20 feet of duct.

Is this ok to do? Are there any issues/problems I need to deal with? Is this against any known BUILDING CODE issue? Are there any balancing issues?

When they built the house (1993) why would they run the warm air duct 2 inches lower than the cold air duct? Why not the same?

Any help would be greatly appreciated?
Thanks in advance.

[Ed Imeduc]

Not sure just what you have there. But why is the heat duct lower than the cold air???? Id check with code there where you are. Cause yes it is code in lots of citys that the heat duct has to be down from the joist most of the time. Its just 1" is all in most citys. So check it out for sure.

ED ;)