Ducting Systems and Air Ventilation - air return questions
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hammerash
08-26-09, 11:45 AM
getting ready to drywall my addition. The HVAC guys set up the returns in a way that has me wondering if I should change it. I have oil burning furnace and AC and it is in basement. the rooms in question are on 1st floor. they used two of the floor joist bays to bring return across basement. since the bays lined up with wall stud cavities, they used the two cavities to come up the wall. then they put sheetmetal on each side to support grills. But they have grill in each room being open to both of the cavities. What this means is that there will be a completely open area between the two rooms. one is a family room and the other is going to be playroom now but office in future. So I would think that it isn't a good idea to have them open to each other like this. should I move the sheetmetal so that one room draws from one stud cavity and the other room draws from the other cavity?
family room-18' x 20' -sheet metal opening 14" wide x 14" high
office- 10' x 16' -sheet metal opening 14" wide x 8" high
photo from family room
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e311/hammerash/DSCN5934.jpg
also, old house had returns high and low. you could cover one and use other depending on season. where should returns be located? inspector said that if the supply is in floor, then return should be high to promote circulation.
family room-18' x 20' -sheet metal opening 14" wide x 14" high
office- 10' x 16' -sheet metal opening 14" wide x 8" high
photo from family room
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e311/hammerash/DSCN5934.jpg
also, old house had returns high and low. you could cover one and use other depending on season. where should returns be located? inspector said that if the supply is in floor, then return should be high to promote circulation.
Bud9051
08-26-09, 01:10 PM
In addition to the issues you raised, panned ducts are noted for leaking, thus drawing in air from other than where they should. When that occurs, then other air must exit to balance the pressure.
Making your home as energy efficient as possible might not seem that important now, but as energy costs go up and our government requires all homes to be rated, those panned ducts will not be helping your score. Minor fix now while things are open. Seal all air pathways and foil tape all seams on the metal ducts. Supply and return for every room and combustion air supply for your heating system, if combustion style.
Now for the back to back returns, I would have them changed. Hi low returns, I like them. And I personally disagree with the inspector, but would never tell them so, but heat registers low and returns low circulates more air. Both high for ac. So the option of high/low returns is a good compromise IMO.
Maybe one of the HVAC guys will comment on the use of panned returns.
Bud
Making your home as energy efficient as possible might not seem that important now, but as energy costs go up and our government requires all homes to be rated, those panned ducts will not be helping your score. Minor fix now while things are open. Seal all air pathways and foil tape all seams on the metal ducts. Supply and return for every room and combustion air supply for your heating system, if combustion style.
Now for the back to back returns, I would have them changed. Hi low returns, I like them. And I personally disagree with the inspector, but would never tell them so, but heat registers low and returns low circulates more air. Both high for ac. So the option of high/low returns is a good compromise IMO.
Maybe one of the HVAC guys will comment on the use of panned returns.
Bud