AC Return Air/Filter Size Dilemma
#1
08-18-17, 07:54 PM
AC Return Air/Filter Size Dilemma
In this thread: http://www.doityourself.com/forum/ai...on-unit.html#b
In the house we just bought we have an issue with temps & I briefly talked to my AC friend who will come by if I need him to but, he has given me several things to check & correct if needed & do this on my own with out him charging me to come out & do something I can do myself.
One issue is the same issue discussed in the above thread. 3 tn AC with not enough return air.
Here is my dilemma. The unit was installed at such a low distance from the floor that I can not install a 20 X 25" return as he advised & as the advice given in the above linked thread.
I currently have a 16 X 20" return & its obviously not enough. Since its impossible to install a larger return in the door, I do have the option to add a return in a wall on the kitchen side.
My specific question here is,
1) can I add an extra return vent & utilize two returns, OR will I need to close off the original return & use only one 20 X 25 return in the kitchen side?
2) If I can add an additional return in the kitchen, can I install another 16 X 20.
This will give me two (2) 16 X 20 return vents under the ac unit. Is that too much or is there such a thing as too much return air to the ac?
Two reasons for asking this:
1) I want to keep the vent in the kitchen as small & un-noticeable as possible
2) If I have both vents the same size, I can buy the same size filters for both. I can buy a 10 pack of 16 X 20 filters.
3) Obviously I want to be sure I get enough, but not too much return air etc....
Thanks for your advice.
In the house we just bought we have an issue with temps & I briefly talked to my AC friend who will come by if I need him to but, he has given me several things to check & correct if needed & do this on my own with out him charging me to come out & do something I can do myself.
One issue is the same issue discussed in the above thread. 3 tn AC with not enough return air.
Here is my dilemma. The unit was installed at such a low distance from the floor that I can not install a 20 X 25" return as he advised & as the advice given in the above linked thread.
I currently have a 16 X 20" return & its obviously not enough. Since its impossible to install a larger return in the door, I do have the option to add a return in a wall on the kitchen side.
My specific question here is,
1) can I add an extra return vent & utilize two returns, OR will I need to close off the original return & use only one 20 X 25 return in the kitchen side?
2) If I can add an additional return in the kitchen, can I install another 16 X 20.
This will give me two (2) 16 X 20 return vents under the ac unit. Is that too much or is there such a thing as too much return air to the ac?
Two reasons for asking this:
1) I want to keep the vent in the kitchen as small & un-noticeable as possible
2) If I have both vents the same size, I can buy the same size filters for both. I can buy a 10 pack of 16 X 20 filters.
3) Obviously I want to be sure I get enough, but not too much return air etc....
Thanks for your advice.
#2
08-18-17, 10:50 PM
Group Moderator
is there such a thing as too much return air to the ac?
#4
08-19-17, 05:08 AM
I was reading reviews on one of these grilles & two of the complaints was that the picture was wrong, in the fact that the grille vents were vertical, not horizontal. Does it really matter which way the vents are turned? Or is it just placement preference? Wont it get as much air horizontal as vertical? Up or down? Facing left or right? What is the correct installation? I'll need a 20 wide & 16 high.
#5
08-19-17, 01:53 PM
Group Moderator
#6
08-20-17, 04:37 AM
Super Moderator
It appears as if the lack of performance you are experiencing has nothing to do with return air.
You are going to have to bite the bullet and call a qualified ac tech.
If your friend is qualified and does this work for a living then he would be the one to call.
You are going to have to bite the bullet and call a qualified ac tech.
If your friend is qualified and does this work for a living then he would be the one to call.
#7
08-31-17, 06:57 PM
Update:
I installed two whirlybirds & an additional 14 X 14 (biggest I could fit on the kitchen side), & while these two things have helped, it has been minimal help. When we initially bought the house, cleaning, moved in, etc we had to keep this one year old Goodman AC system sometimes down on 74 to keep it cool enough in this 1300 sq ft, 3 bedroom brick home cool. It is double insulated in the attic with the original roll insulation & recently 18" of blown insulation in addition to that. It has double windows, etc. Everything that seems over the top to make this home energy efficient.
Now, after installing 2 whirlybirds & an additional return air vent, I still have to run this central air on 76, even with temps in the 80's. We just moved out of a home with a 3 ton Goodman & it stayed on 78 & had to put it up to 79 or it would be too cool sometimes... even with temps in the 90's outside.
FOR WHAT ITS WORTH: I am getting my Goodman dealer out here next week but in the mean time, I'd like some ideas, comments & suggestions in respect to why it may not be cooling this house down like I think it should. Is it a system issue or a house issue? Return air issue? "A" coil issue? Possibly not installed correctly? Cleaning issue? Low Freon? (Freon was checked & it was supposedly correct.)
It has a new digital thermostat on it. New as in 3 months old. It was changed because of the same issue... the system aint cooling & it was changed just to see if it was the thermostat. No difference.
Any idea's or suggestions.??? All relevant info is appreciated.
I installed two whirlybirds & an additional 14 X 14 (biggest I could fit on the kitchen side), & while these two things have helped, it has been minimal help. When we initially bought the house, cleaning, moved in, etc we had to keep this one year old Goodman AC system sometimes down on 74 to keep it cool enough in this 1300 sq ft, 3 bedroom brick home cool. It is double insulated in the attic with the original roll insulation & recently 18" of blown insulation in addition to that. It has double windows, etc. Everything that seems over the top to make this home energy efficient.
Now, after installing 2 whirlybirds & an additional return air vent, I still have to run this central air on 76, even with temps in the 80's. We just moved out of a home with a 3 ton Goodman & it stayed on 78 & had to put it up to 79 or it would be too cool sometimes... even with temps in the 90's outside.
FOR WHAT ITS WORTH: I am getting my Goodman dealer out here next week but in the mean time, I'd like some ideas, comments & suggestions in respect to why it may not be cooling this house down like I think it should. Is it a system issue or a house issue? Return air issue? "A" coil issue? Possibly not installed correctly? Cleaning issue? Low Freon? (Freon was checked & it was supposedly correct.)
It has a new digital thermostat on it. New as in 3 months old. It was changed because of the same issue... the system aint cooling & it was changed just to see if it was the thermostat. No difference.
Any idea's or suggestions.??? All relevant info is appreciated.
#8
09-01-17, 04:53 AM
Member
If the unit is cooling to the temp you set the T-stat to I see no real issue. Maybe the stat at your last house was reading high or maybe the new house low.
#9
09-01-17, 07:23 AM
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Wet side of Washington state.
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It could also be poor thermostat location if it cools as Airman suggests. I've seen LOTS of homes where the thermostat was added as an after thought and relocation made all the difference in the world.
