This is How Much Clearance is Needed For Floor Air Return!

When moving into a new apartment, one main factor to evaluate is floor air return.

You may not want to block the air, so you might wonder, how much clearance is required for a floor air return? What happens when the vents are shut off?  And how does it affect the return HVAC systems? 

Floor air returns should have six to ten inches of clearance from the floor to other appliances to avoid restrictions on airflow. There’s more easy air movement in an ample space in the HVAC systems. It’ll ensure that no blockage is set over the opening of the floor air return. Both the top and bottom margin requires a six inches margin. 

How Much Clearance Does Floor Air Return Require?

How Much Clearance Is in Need for Floor Air Return

The floor air return will need at least ten inches of release to function effectively—the more clearance, the better the efficiency of the air return.

An active air return vent is important for the helpful workability of the HVAC system. Before the air can enter the system’s air duct, it has to have subsided from a room.

Then, the air becomes warm and set to adequate humidity before dispersing in a room. These vents are an essential element of all HVAC systems.

Placing large pieces of furniture directly over the vent can disrupt the airflow, reducing the system’s efficiency. 

Floor vents come in different sizes, but the standard sizes are four by ten inches, six by ten inches, four by 12 inches, and six by 12 inches.

Typically, the size of the floor vent determines the size of the room space. The HVAC systems of the floor air return have pros and cons that come with it.

If you consider using floor vents, this might help you with your decision-making;

  ProsCons 
Satisfactory action compared to ceiling registers.The HVAC system ducts are inaccessible 
It helps in saving energy effectively The furniture can obstruct the airflow to the vents
Better when heating the room is required It is more prone to increase 

Maintaining adequate airflow through the HVAC system can ensure sufficient airflow by keeping the cold air return unobstructed.

Here are some tips to help with maintaining adequate airflow;

  •  Dust the air return registers to keep them free from dirt and debris. 
  • Assess the system’s air filter constantly and replace it when there’s any noticeable dirt accumulation.
  • Keep the return registers open. 

What Happens If You Block Cold Air Return? 

Restricting the cold air return might seem the right thing to do, especially in rooms or spaces that aren’t in use, and you might store up furniture or objects against them, believing it’ll make the others cool better. Well, you’ve got the wrong idea.

Obstructing the cold air return supply of the HVAC system reduces the amount of air flowing freely, generating enormous air pressure and pushing up the rate of the blower’s fan.

This blockage will cause the system to either heat or cool, effectively disrupting your comfort. The effects of blocked air return are all adverse and exhausting.

Here are the results below;

#1. Increased Positive Air pressure

Unrestricted airflow is in the plan for the HVAC systems to flow through the structures quickly.

If the air doesn’t return, the struggle against the optimal flow and positive air pressure is in form.

This increase in pressure will allow external unconditioned air through the holes or cracks around windows or doors. 

#2. Cost of Repairs

The inadequate airflow in the HVAC system can cause wear and tear, reducing the system’s functionality.

This defect can lead to some damaged parts being repaired or replaced, increasing costs and driving utility bills. 

#3. Frozen Coils

Constraining the cold air return can cause the air conditioner coils to get frozen and produce much condensation, thereby causing havoc to the HVAC system’s internal workings.

Frozen evaporator coils don’t only reduce the system’s functionality and ability, but they can damage the compressor of the air conditioner. 

Preventing restrictions on air returns can be made by assuring all the return vents are free of dirt, dust, or any other blockage.

The furniture should keep off return vents. If it is a restriction you can’t deal with, you should call an HVAC Technician to inspect the various vent networks. 

Can I Block Cold Air Return Vents in Summer? 

Optimizing the HVAC system method for energy efficiency and comfortability is a purpose every home needs during the seasonal change throughout the year.

Switching the vents twice a year is a known fact by homeowners when the weather gets snowy in the winter and in the summer when the weather becomes hot. 

It is reasonable to want to block cold air returns in summer because they serve no function except if the cold air vents are only for the furnace.

In the summer, your lower vents should be closed, and the upper vents should be open

Blocking cold air from return vents in summer prevents the increase of dirt and dust. The humid and temperate summer air and open vents can increase the odds of mold infestation.

Closing the vents can protect the air return vents. As the temperature changes, so should the exposure of the vents.

Hot air rises, and cold air recedes, so as the temperature outside gets cooler or more temperate, so does the air in your home.

Opening and closing return vents as the season changes will allow air to freely be drawn out through the return registers.

Making a simple switch in summer will help you save energy and payments on the electrical bill. 

Can You Close Off a Cold Air Return?

You can neither close nor open a return vent because they are more notable than supply vents and don’t have louvers like registers.

Covering your return vent can disrupt the pressure flow in the HVAC system. It’s better to leave it open with plenty of space around them. 

The HVAC system regulates hot or cool air in and out of the registers to suit your satisfaction.

The existing air has to flow through someplace where the air vents come in. The air passes through the vents and returns to the system to keep the air circulating. 

They’re essential to retaining airflow and pressure balance, and the air gets purified when it returns to the unit. Which helps improve your home’s air quality and quantity. 

The return register draws warmer air into the ducts, where the air moves through the filter, and debris and dust are captured and discarded into the HVAC system for reconditioning.

The essential role of the cold air return components is to ensure a sufficient flow of air through the system. 

It was expected for forced-air systems to possess supply vents in each room but just a single return vent on the floors.

So, when your HVAC systems occur in this manner, impeding one return vent alone can cause issues in the system and cause:

  • The inequalities of pressure pull the pollutants and allergens into the air supply in unconditioned and humid areas.
  • A decline in the efficiency of HVAC equipment for the cold air return results in increased energy consumption and operation costs.
  • Further distress and damage to the HVAC components, causing severe exposure to breakdowns and sudden collapse.
  • A reduction in proceeds from the supply registers makes satisfaction more difficult.

How Much Space Should Be in Between Cold Air Return and Furniture? 

There are a lot of concerns to put in place when it comes to furniture positioning. They come in different heights, structures, and kinds. Each alternation can change the look and feel of your home. 

One area you may not have noticed would be the furniture arrangement affecting your home’s ventilation or air conditioning.

Whereby curtains, bookshelves, and rugs are common perpetrators. The space between the cold air return and furniture six-12 inches of space would work effectively. 

Also, putting furniture over a floor vent isn’t a good choice. The vents are there to provide a free flow of air. Covering the flow could damage the HVAC system.

It is necessary to check if the curtains or rugs cover the vents and air filters to replace them when needed. When the air filters are blocked, dirt could also block the cold air return. 

There are still ways to achieve your desired furniture placement without having to block the airflow from the vents.

Here are some tips to help you: 

  • Keep big furniture away from the floor vents.
  • Find the location of the floor vents.
  • Search for alternatives to incorporate your floor vents into your desired decor.
  • Opt for open-back furniture pieces.

Conclusion

A return air vent is an integral part of the HVAC system and homeowner because of the heat control and air conditioning.

Any changes can alter your comfort, especially when placing furniture or home appliances. Fortunately, there were ways to incorporate them easily while providing sustainable comfort.

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