Cold Air Return Duct - in Furnace Room?
#1
Cold Air Return Duct - in Furnace Room?
Our house was built in 1975. Our basement furnace room has a 4" cold air return duct branching out from the cold air return plenum, and I capped off this duct years ago as I thought it wasn't needed (see pic).
There is a 5" warm air vent pipe about 3 feet away from the cap I installed...
I want to cover up this ceiling with paneling but I'm wondering if this duct should be open. Comments?
There is a 5" warm air vent pipe about 3 feet away from the cap I installed...
I want to cover up this ceiling with paneling but I'm wondering if this duct should be open. Comments?
Last edited by Howitzer; 12-14-18 at 09:48 PM.
#2
Any room or area you want to heat or at least maintain some heat in, needs a return air duct plus at least 1 supply duct. Every basement should have at least 1 supply and 1 return to move and exchange some of it"s air for temperature and quality.
#3
Thanks for replying! Our furnace room is in the north-west corner of our basement. Years ago, I installed a cold air return in the approximate centre of our basement which is apart of our main area rumpus room. So I do have a cold area return vent in our basement.
I just find it odd that a cold air return duct is installed in the ceiling joists where there isn't much circulation and where warm air would collect (warm air rises).
I just find it odd that a cold air return duct is installed in the ceiling joists where there isn't much circulation and where warm air would collect (warm air rises).
#5
If you are looking to make the basement area warmer say to use as living space. doing it right will need a lot more ducts or outlets. As an example, go upstairs and count the number of warm air and cold air registers/grills. That is how many you need to heat that floor correctly. That is probably how many registers/grills you will need on each floor including the basement. Remember, you can't heat the basement like a normal floor unless you have enough supplies and returns . And some of the returns must be at floor level to remove the cooler air that lurks there. (cold air falls and warm air rises)
#8
It's your thread..... you can refresh it any time.
I see your cold air ducting with cap. Is that connected to the furnace return ?
What is that large round connection/duct to the right ?
I see your cold air ducting with cap. Is that connected to the furnace return ?
What is that large round connection/duct to the right ?
#9
Yes the capped pipe connects to the cold air plenum.
If you referring to the silver-grey pipe in the bottom right corner of the picture? It's the chimney/exhaust pipe for our gas water heater.
If you referring to the silver-grey pipe in the bottom right corner of the picture? It's the chimney/exhaust pipe for our gas water heater.
Last edited by Howitzer; 04-29-19 at 04:45 PM.
#11
cold air duct?
You have a RETURN AIR and a SUPPLY AIR. The return air sucks air from your living area and filters it as it goes back through you furnace/cooling coil. As the air leaves the furnace/cooling coil, that is then the supply air.
Now using this description, is this pipe connected to your return air or your supply air duct?
Now using this description, is this pipe connected to your return air or your supply air duct?
#12
Group Moderator
Generally speaking, you don't put a return in the same room as the furnace or a gas water heater so as to not take the chance of lowering the pressure in the rooms and creating any kind of backdraft on the chimney.