Why do I need return air vents in every room?

Multiple Vents Keep the Balance Your cooling system does not acquire its air from outside, but rather circulates the air already inside your home. The air that the return air vents pull in needs to be equal to the air blown out of the system to keep an equilibrium of effort on the HVAC system.

What happens if you block a return air vent?

Blocking air return vents causes your system to work harder, as there is less air flow to move the air back to the furnace. This continued strain on the HVAC system can lead to a decrease in performance and more HVAC repairs down the road.

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.

Where should return air vents be?

The best location of the return vents depends on whether the system is heating or cooling the air. If it’s cooling, the return vents should be near the ceiling, where the warm air collects, but if it’s heating, the return vents should draw cool air from the floors.

Do you need a filter in a 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.

Should I close my return vents?

So when you’re trying to heat your home, your lower return vents should be open to collect the cold air and your upper return vents should be closed to keep the heat from escaping. Simply remembering to switch the vents can help your home heat more quickly and evenly.

Why is my room so hot compared to rest of house?

Dirty air filter—A dirty filter restricts airflow, not letting your home get enough cool air. Closed vents—Closed vents in rooms can cause them to be hotter than other rooms. Open windows—Your conditioned air can flow out of open windows, leaving uneven temperatures in your home.

How do you clean air return vents?

Fill your sink or tub with a solution of dish soap and hot water. Immerse the vent cover in the soapy water and leave it to soak for about 20 minutes to loosen stubborn dust and grime. Remove the cover from the water and scrub both sides with a damp cloth.

Does air come out of return vents?

Return vents: What is a return vent? These vents suck the air from each room and send it back to the air conditioning or heating system. Return vents tend to be bigger than supply vents, and you won’t feel any air coming from them.

Why Do I Need Return Air Vents In Every Room? Your HVAC Needs Supply and Return Air Vents. Your HVAC is a closed system of air that cycles conditioned and non-conditioned air though your home based on the air conditioning Multiple Vents Keep the Balance. The Important Role of Return Air Vents.

What does the return air vent do?

Return air vents are an important part of your HVAC system. These vents allow the air that is in your home to return to the system for heating or cooling in order to maintain the proper temperature in the home.

Does return air have to equal supply air?

With a return and supply in each room it’s important for them to be of an equivalent size so that the room is not over or under pressured. For homes that have one or two main return ducts located in a hall or a great room, those returns should be equal in size to all the supplies throughout the home.

How do return air vents work?

A central heating or cooling system processes air by sucking it in the return vents and blowing it out the supply registers, which are strategically located in each room. The return vents are there to ensure that the system conditions air from inside the house — not outside — and to ensure indoor air pressure remains equalized.