In the winter you want the cold air to be drawn through the return registers leaving the hot air behind. By opening the lower registers and closing the top ones you keep hot air in and draw the cold air out. Since cold air is heavy it will automatically flow down to the lower register.

Should cold air returns be up high or down low?

For optimal efficiency, it’s ideal to have return registers installed. To ensure efficiency during the cooling season, your home should have high registers. … Without high registers, your home’s low-level registers will draw cooler air back to the system, and your rooms will be left with the warm air at the ceiling.

Should return vents be open or closed in summer?

Open High Returns in the Summer Hot air rises and cool air sinks. Therefore, opening the right return vents in the summer and winter significantly improves the distribution of air by your forced-air system. … In the summer, open your high returns and close the low ones.

Should heat vents face up or down?

A downward direction is preferred more, as air always rises up after collecting heat from below. The velocity of air will have to be low and linear by the time it reaches occupants.

Which return vents to close in the winter?

Close top return vents. If you have a top/bottom return vent setup, close the top vents in the winter months. Closing the top vents will make your system draw in air from the bottom vents that are at the low point in the room where cold air settles.

Where is the best place to put a cold air return?

Ideally you want a cold air return register in every major room in your home. This would not include bathrooms and closets, but bedrooms, living rooms, etc. Older homes might only have just one or two on each floor.

What do return vents do?

Your Return Vents Are Responsible for Air Pressure When your HVAC system blows air into your home, that changes the air pressure inside. … The return vent is usually bigger than your supply vents because it’s how the air handler sucks air into the HVAC system.

Which vents should be closed in the summer?

As the weather gets warmer in the summer, your upper return vents should be open and your lower return vents should be closed. This will allow the cold air to circulate around your home and hot air to be drawn through your return registers.

Should return air vents be open or closed in winter?

Because hot air rises and cold air falls, you need to adjust your return vents with the seasons. In the summer, your lower vents should be closed and your upper vents should be open. In the winter, your upper vents should be closed and your lower vents should be open.

How do I know if my return air is working?

Try this simple test when your HVAC system is running: get a piece of tissue paper and dangle it about six inches from one of the return vents. You should be able to see it being gently pulled towards the vent. Next, place it up against return vent and see if the air suction holds it in place.

Article first time published on

Where do you put return air grille?

1. Examine your home heating system. …
2. Place your cold air return vents on the inside walls of buildings at the lowest point. …
3. Place the vent at least 10 feet away from a thermostat, because the cold air draft may cause incorrect temperature readings.

Is it OK to block a return vent?

It’s important not to block your return air vent because your HVAC system needs constant return air to work properly. A blocked air return vent will cause your system to lose efficiency and can cause premature failure of your HVAC system.

How do you identify return vents?

You can identify return vents by turning on the system fan and holding your hand or a piece of paper up. If the paper is pulled toward the vent or you feel a suction effect, it’s a return vent.

Should my return vents have filters?

Should you use a filter in your return vent? For most homes, return vents filters are suggested. They typically won’t cause any damage to your HVAC system and are easy to install – there’s no need for an HVAC technician.

Should you put a filter in your return vent?

Your AC system should have a proper fitting filter on the return side. By placing a good fitting, high quality filter on the return vent, you will remove particles from the air before they can enter the AC system. A good filter will keep your air handling unit, coils, and ducts clean.

How far should vent be from return?

All your air vents need at least six inches of clearance from all furniture, drapes or other household items to ensure proper system breathing.

Where should vents be placed in a room?

Registers should be placed in the middle of the external wall (in the floor or low on the wall); if there are two external walls, both need registers in the middle. (If the room is tiny, one duct may work, even if there are two external walls.)

What happens if you block cold air return?

In the heating cycle, blocked cold air returns can cause the heat exchanger inside the blower compartment to store too much heat and eventually crack. If the cracks are too large, the furnace can emit carbon monoxide into your home’s air. Such a condition normally requires a complete system replacement.

Should basement vents be open or closed in summer?

You can safely close your basement air vents in the summer, yes. You’ll want to do so intermittently, though, instead of leaving them closed for several weeks at a time. If you consistently want to keep your vents closed, be sure to rotate which vents you shut at least every two days.

Should you close vents in summer?

In the short term, yes. By closing your vents intermittently, you can save money on bills throughout the hottest months of the year. That said, you’ll want to rotate which vents you have closed to avoid air blockages and vent damage. You should also never leave a vent closed for more than two days at a time.

Should I close vents in rooms not used?

Closing the vents doesn’t do it any favors. In fact, instead of helping the air conditioner cool less, closed registers force the same amount of air through other ducts. This builds pressure in the system and makes your HVAC system work harder to distribute the air where you need it.

What happens if there is not enough return air?

If there is not enough return air available, your HVAC system will not heat or cool properly. … If not enough air is brought back, your HVAC system will not be able to keep up with temperature demands. In some cases, two returns may be necessary to provide enough return air.

Can there be too much return air?

Can an air return be too big? No, an air return cannot be too big, except in extreme cases where a closed room is temporarily under negative air pressure. Return vents maintain air pressure, filter out debris, and are critical to the efficient operation of any HVAC system.

Why is my air return not pulling air?

Return Air Duct Problem Causes The main reasons the HVAC system experiences issues with the return air ducts is because the duct is either blocked or leaking. The blockage could be inside the duct itself, or you may have just overlooked the placement of furniture or other personal items in front of the vent.

Should return air ducts be sealed?

Return systems should be “hard” ducted and sealed with mastic in order to be airtight. Building cavities should never be used as return ducts. Stud bays or cavities should not be used for returns.

Do you need a return vent in every room?

While it is a myth that air return grilles are required in each and every room in the house, it is definitely necessary to have more than one of these grilles installed at strategic places in the house. The most important place to have these would be the bedroom.